October 5 - December 21, 2020

Why do so many of us continue to struggle year after year with negative emotional reactivity and affliction? Although we may long to be happy, and enjoy ease and well-being in our life and relationships, in spite of our best efforts, we continue to suffer from dysfunctional patterns of emotionality.

In this Intensive we will embark together on a journey of healing and transformation. The core aspects of the FCM Mindful Living Path of Practice involve stabilizing our minds through the practice of mindfulness and meditation, and then healing the psycho-emotional wounds that we’ve carried for many years. This Intensive will focus on concrete practices for understanding and transforming our deep-seated emotional afflictions, so we can free up energy from endless reactivity and learn to live each day with greater well-being and equanimity.

Grounded in practices of mindfulness, we can learn to be present and open to strong emotions (such as anger, fear and sadness) instead of our habitual patterns of pushing them away or being swept away by them. Holding these feelings in mindful awareness we can look deeply into their origins in our past conditioning. We recognize emotional patterns, identify the misperceptions that feed them, and see clearly their true nature of impermanence and insubstantiality.

The readings and other supports of this Intensive will present a clear and systematic path for developing the skills and competencies that enable us to take care of our emotional suffering, and lead to self-healing and personal transformation.

A solid foundation of mindfulness and meditation is essential to our healing and transformation. This Intensive is open to FCM members who are developing the foundational support of practice by having participated in one or more of the following:

• Another FCM Intensive
• The FCM Introduction to Mindfulness and Meditation 4-Week Course
• Mindfulness and meditation practice developed through other classes, retreats or in other settings.  

Participants in this Intensive will be provided with a path of practice that will include specific readings, meditation practices, and daily life assignments. There be four Dharma Talks on Zoom, bi-weekly mentor group calls for individual guidance and support, and a Forum with our teacher, Fred.

Please note that FCM offers this Intensive approximately every two years. Even if you have taken this Intensive before you will reap the benefits of bringing a new level of maturity of practice to your process of healing and transformation.

This Intensive will be led by Betsy Arizu, with Darlene Stewart, Charlie Stewart, and Brandy Kidd joining her as Intensive Mentors. All are senior students of Fred's. If you have any questions about whether this Intensive is right for you please contact Betsy at barizu@yahoo.com. 

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 PARTICIPANTS

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.
• Attend all the practice periods of your Sangha during the Intensive, as possible.

Participate in Assigned Practice Groups:

• Participate in your assigned bi-weekly mentoring group via Zoom.
• Be present for monthly Dharma Talks via Zoom. (Oct 5, Nov 2, Nov 30, Dec 21)
• Participate in a Forum with Fred, via Zoom. (Date TBA)

For this Intensive, there is a suggested donation of $100. 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.

Please note that participation in this Intensive is only open to members of FCM. For information about membership, please access our website at www.floridamindfulness.org.

This Intensive will begin on October 5 and end on Dec 21. Readings, Zoom teleconference/phone call instructions, and other pertinent dates will be announced once registration has been completed.

REGISTRATION PROCEDURE

Please read the information below before you click to register!

When you register, you will be asked to indicate your 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, cannot do, or could do but not preferred. Please have your calendar available when you register so that you can complete this part of the registration process accurately. 

Group 1:  Monday afternoons, 1:00 pm, Oct 12, 26, Nov 9, 23, Dec 7

Group 2:  Tuesday mornings, 7:30 am, Oct 13, 27, Nov 10, 24, Dec 8

Group 3:  Tuesday evenings, 6:00 pm, Oct 13, 27, Nov 10, 24, Dec 8

Group 4:  Wednesday mornings 7:30 am, Oct 14, 28, Nov 11, 25, Dec 9

Group 5:  Wednesday evenings, 6:00 pm  Oct 14, 28, Nov 11, 25, Dec 9

Group 6:  Thursday mornings 7:30 am, Oct 15, 29, Nov 12, Dec 3, Dec 17

Group 7:  Thursday evenings, 6:00 pm  Oct 15, 29, Nov 12, Dec 3, Dec 17

Please pay online 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. The deadline for registration is September 16.