Fred Eppsteiner
Description
In the meditative tradition of the Great Perfection (Dzog-chen), the path that leads to Awakening is clearly delineated. It involves establishing a strong foundation or ground for one ’s spiritual life; following a path that is clearly marked; and ultimately arriving at the place of one’s deepest aspiration.
Since the time of the Buddha, countless teachers have directly pointed out the innate simplicity and spontaneous wisdom of our natural mind. Unfettered by conditioning and emotional reactivity, this mind has the capacity to guide and support us spontaneously in living an awakened life.
Using meditative texts from the Great Perfection tradition with a focus on Shabkar’s Flight of the Garuda, Fred will guide participants into directly experiencing their mind and the things that appear in it (especially the self!) as empty of any substance or solidity. This experience facilitates a ‘break through' into the totally open and spacious mind nature, which now becomes the basis of true transformation.
The retreat will include four Practice Sessions daily that will include silent and guided meditation, Dharma talks and instructions, meetings with Fred, opportunities for Q&A, group sharing, work meditation, along with time for meals & rest, outdoor walking, and time for personal practice.
This retreat is appropriate for those FCM members who have previously participated in a Wisdom Path Intensive or retreat, or for those who are walking the Dharma Path and feel ready for a deeper exploration of the nature of mind through meditation. For more information on our Three Paths of Practice (Mindful Living, Dharma and Wisdom Paths) see the FCM website. PLEASE NOTE: Because this is a direct transmission of these teachings by Fred, he requests that all who can possibly attend in person do so, either as a commuter or by staying overnight at Great Cloud. Online participation is invited ONLY for those who absolutely cannot participate in person. Please visit the In-Person Retreat page if you will attend in person.
Logistics
The retreat will begin at 7:00 pm for online participants, and end at noon on Monday, September 5. This registration is for online participation only.
The fee for online participation is $150. FCM aspires to support the retreat experience for all who are on this path, and thus retreat scholarships are available and encouraged if it would support your participation. 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 teachings are offered in the Buddhist tradition of Dana, wherein the teachers freely give of themselves to the students out of gratitude for what they’ve received from their teachers and a desire to be of service. The student ’s response is also based on Dana, i.e., generosity that naturally flows from a sense of appreciation of the value of Dharma and gratitude to the living lineage.
The Retreat Coordinator will be sending additional information to registrants closer to the retreat start date, including at-home practice guidelines and Zoom information.
The last day to register for online participation in this retreat is August 20.
Retreat Leader
Fred Eppsteiner has been a student of the psychology of Buddhist meditation for over 40 years and was a psychotherapist for more than 30 years. He has trained extensively in the Buddhist meditative traditions the U.S. and Asia. He received permission to teach from Thich Nhat Hanh in 1994 and is the editor of two books: The Path of Compassion and Interbeing.
Questions?
For more information, please contact Kevin at kevinconlin@gmail.com.
