Registration for Retreat 1 Only: Mindfulness of the Breath and Body (do not register here if you will be signing up for the full series*)

The foundation of all mindfulness practice is awareness of body and breath.

Conscious breathing unites the body and mind and brings us into the present moment. It is the path to developing mindfulness and concentration in order to live with a calm and stable mind.

This retreat will offer teachings, guided meditations, and experiential exercises focused on strengthening our capacity to bring conscious present moment awareness into our formal meditation practice and our daily life. We will also learn to experience our bodies in a new way: directly, rather than through thoughts and judgments, and explore what it means to live as embodied beings.

The retreat is open to both FCM members and non-members and is appropriate for those who are newer to meditation and to the teachings and practice of Buddhism. The retreat will also be beneficial for experienced practitioners who wish to renew their understanding and practice of these fundamental teachings. The retreat will consist of a Friday evening session (7 to 9 pm) and an all day Saturday session (9 am to 4 pm). 

This retreat will be led by Bryan Hindert, who has been following the Buddhist path since 2008, when a strong desire to make changes in his life and to develop a better relationship with his mind drew him to the Florida Community of Mindfulness. This path has helped Bryan to transform his life in profound ways and continues to be a source of guidance, support, and joy in all of his endeavors. In addition to helping to develop and lead Wake Up Tampa Bay, a mindfulness and meditation group for people in their 20s and 30s, Bryan has served by teaching classes and presenting on mindfulness and on Buddhism, leading intensive practice periods, and serving as the Assistant to the Teacher.

* This retreat is part of a series of three non-residential weekend retreats on the Entering the Path to Wellbeing: Practicing and Living the Foundations of Mindfulness. The Foundations of Mindfulness teachings will draw upon both the Satipatthana Sutta, the Buddha’s teachings on a clear and direct path to emotional wellbeing, and the Buddha’s teachings on living in the world with love and kindness. These teachings are a roadmap for modern practitioners to fully develop the power of mindfulness and awaken the mind’s potential for happiness. While it is not required to attend all three retreats, it will be most beneficial to attend the entire retreat series and a discounted registration cost is available by signing up for the full series (click here to sign up for the series instead of this individual retreat). 

Safety Information and Release

We care deeply about your well being and want to ensure you are able to fully participate in this Event and maximize this opportunity to enrich your practice. We want to ensure you are aware and understand that this Event may include activities that may impose a risk to you, which include, but are not limited, to the following:

• Physical activities such as yoga or other movement activities
  
• Outdoor walking or other activities
  
• Experiencing emotional states that may be uncomfortable or unfamiliar.
  

Please be aware that we may record or broadcast, or take pictures during this Event. By registering, you grant FCM permission to use your likeness in any and all of its publications if such photographs and/or videos are taken, including website entries and social media platforms and that these materials are the property of FCM.