This retreat will be offered fully online and is open to both FCM members and nonmembers.
From morning until night, our minds are our constant companion. As much as we may attempt to distract ourselves, we cannot get away from our mind or the thoughts and emotions which arise within it. For many of us, our relationship with our mind is one of frustration and struggle. Even though we may have begun to practice mindfulness and meditation, all sorts of difficult mind-states may continue to arise within our minds. It can even sometimes feel as though our minds will never be tamed and that our practice has all been for naught.
In the Buddhist path, we learn to transform the landscape of our mind over time from one dominated by suffering to one dominated by a sense of well-being. However, equally important is learning how to relate to our mind in a new way through understanding the basic mental processes that are conditioning what is arising within it. This understanding combined with an ability to be keenly aware of what is happening within our minds, can empower us to relate to whatever is arising with ease and clarity, without blame or frustration.
In this 3-day retreat, we will focus on the teachings of Buddhist psychology to help us understand why things unfold the way they do within our minds. We will also focus on various meditative and mindfulness practices aimed at turning our awareness inward and skillfully working with and relating to the thoughts and emotions arising.
The retreat will begin Thursday evening, August 12 and end Sunday at noon, August 15. It will consist of a Thursday evening session (7 pm to 9 pm), all-day Friday and Saturday sessions (7 am to 9 pm), and a Sunday session (7 am to noon). The retreat will be conducted entirely on Zoom.
This retreat is open to both FCM members and non-members. Offered as a Mindful Living Path Retreat, it is appropriate for both those new to practice, as well as those more experienced who want to strengthen their understanding of the foundational teachings and practices and renew and energize their practice at all levels. For more information on FCM’s Three Paths of Practice click here.
The retreat registration fee is $90. A number of Retreat Scholarships are available. Please click here to see FCM’s Retreat Scholarship Policy and for an Application, which needs to be submitted prior to the registration deadline for this retreat.
The retreat registrar will be sending additional information to registrants before the retreat, including daily schedules, Zoom instructions and suggestions to help prepare you for a meaningful retreat experience from your home. For more information, contact Bryan at bbhindert@gmail.com.
Bryan Hindert will be leading this retreat. Bryan 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.
The last day to register for the retreat is August 10th.
