Part 1: Winter/Spring Session February 28 – May 23

Learning to think and act as an altruistic being is the subject of the text, “The Seven Points of Mind Training,” (Lojong in Tibetan) and of our next Intensive for both the Dharma and Wisdom Paths. It is a much loved and deeply venerated text, well known for its slogans that help us apply the full breadth of the Buddha’s Mahayana teachings to daily life. These 59 slogans or mind trainings focus on how the Unconditioned Awakened Mind can beneficially manifest in the life of ordinary beings in order to give rise to lovingkindness, compassion and understanding in all the activities of our lives. The transformation of seemingly adverse situations into the path of awakening is a unique focus of these mind trainings.

In this Intensive, Fred and Ken will guide participants in understanding the 59 slogans and how to practice them.  While each participant will be studying the entire text along with commentary, there will be regularly assigned specific slogan(s) to work with, which will provide an opportunity for each participant to directly fit the text into the context of their current life condition. There will be bi-weekly Dharma talks (which will be recorded) and also small bi-weekly mentor groups for participants to share deeply about their slogan practice and listen deeply to each other.  All meetings will be on Zoom.  An Intensive Practice Page on our website will be made available to registrants for Intensive materials and assignments. 

Criteria for Participation in This Intensive

This Intensive is open to FCM members who have either 1) been practicing on the Dharma or Wisdom Paths and are seeking to gain a deeper realization and integration of these teachings in their lives or 2) established a foundation of mindfulness and emotional stability through the practices of our Mindful Living Path and are now prepared to tread more deeply into the Dharma path of transformation, Participants who have previously been involved with Wisdom Intensives and retreats will be assigned to specific mentor groups that will focus on deepening realization with the slogans in alignment with the teachings and practices of the Wisdom Path.

Commitments for This Intensive

• This yearlong Intensive will be offered in three parts: Part 1 is what you will register for now, and runs from February 28 – May 23; Part 2 will be in the Summer and Part 3 in the Fall of 2022. We encourage you to participate in all three parts to get the full benefit of these teachings. Participation in the previous session(s) is a requirement for the subsequent session.
• A minimum of one hour daily in formal meditation practice and study.
• Completion of Intensive assignments.
• Attendance at bi-weekly Dharma Talks (via Zoom) which will be on Mondays at 6 pm and will be recorded.
• Attendance at bi-weekly small mentoring groups. Choice of day/time will be required when registering.
• Regular attendance at FCM morning and evening meditations and daylongs (if possible).

Registration is open from January 27 – February 14. To ensure you register by this date, please consider registering immediately or mark the registration closing date in your calendar now.

Registration Procedure:  When you register, you will be asked to indicate your preferences for the bi-weekly Zoom Mentoring Groups. The conversations will last one hour. The following six mentoring groups will be listed, and you will be required to rank 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.

Mentoring Group #1: Tuesdays at 7:30 am; 3/8, 3/22, 4/5, 4/19, 5/3, 5/17.

Mentoring Group #2: Tuesdays at 6:00 pm; 3/8, 3/22, 4/5, 4/19, 5/3, 5/17.

Mentoring Group #3: Wednesdays at 7:30 am; 3/9, 3/23, 4/6, 4/20, 5/4, 5/18.

Mentoring Group #4: Wednesdays at 4:30 pm; 3/9, 3/23, 4/6, 4/20, 5/4, 5/18.

Mentoring Group #5: Thursdays at noon; 3/10, 3/24, 4/7, 4/21, 5/5, 5/19.

Mentoring Group #6: Thursdays at 6:00 pm; 3/10, 3/24, 4/7, 4/21, 5/5, 5/19.

The fee for 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 when you register, or send your check made out to the Florida Community of Mindfulness (FCM) to Florida Community of Mindfulness, 6501 N. Nebraska Avenue, Tampa, FL 33604.

If you have any questions about this Intensive or whether it is appropriate for you, please contact your current or past FCM mentor or Ken Lenington at kenlen108@gmail.com.

Please register by February 14!