July 6 – August 31, 2020

Committed practitioners, whether relatively new to practice or more experienced, often struggle with consistently applying their growing mindfulness and understanding to the situations that arise in their everyday lives. We want to live mindfully and wisely in all aspects of our lives: in our relationship with ourselves, in our interpersonal relationships, in our work life, and in the society in which our lives are unfolding. We seek practices and continuity of support for the direction we have chosen.

From the Buddhist perspective, each of us already has within us the nature to live deeply in every aspect of life; we have just lost touch with it. If we have the intention, however, with guidance we can learn and train to live at ease with the environment we live in.

This 8-week intensive focuses on understanding and cultivating guidelines we can apply to live a truly engaged life, of benefit to ourselves and others. We will use as a framework the teachings of Thich Nhat Hanh and the Plum Village tradition of the 14 Mindfulness Trainings, intentionally compiled by Thay for lay people like us, as well as for monks and nuns. Participants will be supported by readings and weekly daily life practices. Bi-weekly group mentoring video-conference calls on Zoom will provide individual guidance and support. Five Dharma talks will be offered via Zoom. A Forum in which Fred will answer questions and interact with participants will also take place via Zoom. 

If you have any questions about this intensive or whether it is appropriate for you, contact Elena Rigg (revrigg@aol.com).

This intensive will be particularly helpful for newer practitioners, but more experienced practitioners will derive significant benefit as well.

The commitments for this Intensive are listed below. Before registering for the intensive, please read the commitments and reflect carefully on whether you will be able to keep them. 

Commitments for each intensive participant:

Study & Practice:

• Spend a minimum of 30 minutes daily in formal meditative practice, study, and/or other practices related to this intensive
• Read Dharma texts assigned for the intensive
• Participate in other practice opportunities with your Sangha during the Intensive, as possible.

Participate in Assigned Practice Groups:

• Be present for the bi-weekly Dharma Talks via Zoom
• Participate in your assigned bi-weekly mentoring group via Zoom
• Participate in the Forum with Fred via Zoom

There is a suggested donation of $50 for this intensive. This is a suggested donation, and participants are free to donate more or less, depending on their individual practice of Dana and their financial situation. You may pay on-line or send your check made out to the Florida Community of Mindfulness (FCM) to Florida Community of Mindfulness, 6501 N. Nebraska Ave., Tampa, FL 33604. 

Registration will close on June 5. Out of consideration for our intensive organizers, and to ensure your acceptance into the intensive, please register immediately or mark the registration closing date in your calendar now.

Please note that participation in intensives is open only to members of the Florida Community of Mindfulness. For information about membership, please access our website at www.floridamindfulness.org.

REGISTRATION PROCEDURES

Please read the information below before you click to register.

Mentoring Groups. When you register, you will also be asked to indicate preferences for the Mentoring Groups offered through Zoom. The following six mentoring groups will be listed, and you will be required to score each group as one of the following:

• my first choice
• my second choice
• could do but not preferred
• cannot do

If there is more than one group that will work well for you, please mark all these as “my first choice.” This will provide us with added flexibility in making group assignments. Please have your calendar available when you register so that you can complete this part of the registration process accurately.

Mentor Group Options

Group 1:  Monday mornings, 7:30 a.m., July 13, 27; Aug 10, 24

Group 2:  Tuesday evenings, 6:30 p.m., July 14, 28; Aug 11, 25

Group 3:  Wednesday mornings, 7:30 a.m., July 15, 29; Aug 12, 26

Group 4:  Thursday mornings, 7:30 a.m., July 16, 30; Aug 13, 27

Group 5:  Thursday afternoons, 3:30 p.m., July 16, 30; Aug 13, 27

Group 6:  Thursday evenings, 6:30 p.m., July 16, 30; Aug 13, 27