March 1 - May 24

“To study Buddhism is to study the self. To study the self is to forget the self. To forget the self is to be enlightened by all things. To be enlightened by all things is to be free from attachment to the body and mind of one's self and of others.” (Zen Master Dogen)

For students of Dharma, the issues of ‘self and ego’ and ‘non-self and non-ego’ are central to our spiritual quest and awakening. The intellectual and, most importantly, experiential resolution of this seeming paradox – i.e. what appears to be solid and real is not – has major implications for the well-being or ill-being that we experience daily in our personal lives. The Buddha stated that our belief in the permanent and solid nature of oneself in a world of other solid selves is the major cause of our ensnarement in self-created dissatisfaction, confusion and emotional afflictions. It is this fundamental ignorance of the way things really are (Reality) that prevents us from experiencing our fundamental oneness and connection with everything and everyone.

The focus of this Intensive and the overriding commitment of all participants is to undertake a deep, comprehensive and penetrative look at the self in an intellectual/analytical, psychological, and, most importantly, experiential/meditative manner. The intent is to ground participants in the traditional Buddhist philosophical and psychological teachings and practices related to self/non-self, as well as to personalize and individualize these practices for each participant.  

Deconstructing the Myth of Self  is a year-long Intensive. It will take place in three segments in 2021 - Part 1 in Spring, Part 2 in Summer, and Part 3 in Fall, giving us the opportunity to look and practice deeply and thoroughly.

This Intensive is offered as an FCM Dharma Path Program. Dharma Path programs are designed for experienced practitioners who have already established a solid foundation of mindfulness and meditation practice, and have achieved some degree of emotional healing and stability. A detailed description of the Three Paths of Practice can be found on the FCM website, www.floridamindfulness.org under Programs/Paths of Practice.  Reviewing the Three Paths of Practice can be helpful in deciding which of the upcoming Intensives may be most suitable and beneficial for you. FCM members may also wish to consult the Three Paths of Practice Self-Assessment Questionnaire, which can be accessed via this link (be sure to log in to the website first to access this link).

If you have any questions about this Intensive or whether it is appropriate for you, please contact Betsy Arizu at barizu@yahoo.com or Ken Lenington at kenlen108@gmail.com. 

Registration will open from Jan 26 through February 10. Intensives are open to FCM members only. For information on membership on our website please click here. 

The commitments for this Intensive are listed below. Before registering 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 60 minutes daily in formal meditative practice, study, reflection, and/or other practices related to the Intensive.  
• Read the Dharma text portions assigned for the Intensive.
• Regularly attend weekly meditation, daylongs and retreats during the Intensive, as possible.

Participate in Assigned Practice Groups:

• Be present for the Dharma Talks (via Zoom) on March 1, March 29, April 26, and May 24, all at 6:30-7:30pm. 
• Participate in your assigned bi-weekly Mentor Group (via Zoom).
• Be present for the Forum with Fred (via Zoom), April 11, 12:30-1:45 pm 

The fee for Part 1 of this Intensive is $100. This is a suggested amount and participants are free to offer more or less depending on their individual 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.

Part 1 of this Intensive will begin on March 1 and end on May 24.  Specific readings, group assignments, and Zoom instructions will be announced once registration has been completed. 

REGISTRATION PROCEDURES: 

Please read the information below before you click to register.

Mentoring Groups. When you register, you will also be asked to indicate your preferences  for your by-weekly Mentoring Groups offered through Zoom.  You will be required to score each group as one of the following:

o   my first choice

o   my second choice

o   could do but not preferred

o   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. 

Mentoring Groups will meet bi-weekly six times during the Intensive in groups with approximately 8 members.  Ken and Betsy will rotate leading each group. We will give you exact dates as soon as registration ends and we can sort through preferences and compose groups that will work for everyone.

Group #1: Wednesdays 7:30 – 8:30 am
Group #2: Thursdays 7:30 – 8:30 am
Group # 3: Thursdays 6:00 – 7:00 pm