“There are many great sutras, but approaching them without this sutra is like trying to reach the top of the mountain without a path to go on.” (Thich Nhat Hanh)
This Spring’s Mindful Living Path Intensive will return us to a foundational teaching and practice of our tradition. One of the oldest teachings of the Buddha relates to using the breath to develop mindfulness and concentration, leading to insight, in order to calm and stabilize the mind, and to develop equanimity and serenity. These teachings are presented in the Full Awareness of the Breath Sutra (Anapanasati Sutta).
This sutra offers 16 specific meditations to facilitate the practitioner’s capacity to realize the fruits of these teachings in their consciousness and in daily life. Much ground is covered in these exercises, so to keep our practice focused, we will be working exclusively with the first 12 meditations. Working sequentially with each of these meditations, this Intensive will be an opportunity to develop a calm, stable, and joyful mind, and to consciously bring these practices into our daily interactions and activities in order to transform our lives.
Please note that participation in this Intensive is only open to members of FCM. For information on membership on our website please click here.
If you have any questions about this Intensive or whether it is appropriate for you, please contact Bill Mac Millen at bmacm21@gmail.com or Maria Teresa Jaureguizar at j.emm.tee@gmail.com.
Registration will be open through February 12. To ensure that you register on time, please register now!
Participants in this 12-week Intensive will be provided with a path of practice that will include readings, weekly meditation guidelines and daily life practices. Together we will be hearing the teachings, reflecting on the teachings, and practicing the teachings. Bi-weekly group mentoring Zoom calls and regular contact with your Dharma Buddy will provide individual guidance and support. There will also be bi-weekly Dharma Talks by Intensive leaders Bill Mac Millen and Maria Teresa Jaureguizar. In addition, our teacher, Fred Eppsteiner, will offer a Forum to answer questions and interact with participants. An Intensive Practice page on our website will be made available for Intensive materials and assignments.
The two texts that we will use for this Intensive are: Breath by Breath by Larry Rosenberg, and Breathe,You are Alive! by Thich Nhat Hanh. Please acquire these texts as soon as you have registered for the Intensive.
Commitments for each Intensive participant:
The commitments for this Intensive are listed below. Before you register, please read them and reflect carefully on whether you will be able to keep the commitments.
Study & Practice:
- Spend a minimum of 30 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, Days of Mindfulness, and retreats during the Intensive, as possible.
Participate in Assigned Practice Groups:
- Be present for the bi-weekly Dharma Talks (via Zoom) on February 27, March 13 and 27, April 10 and 24, and May 8 and 22, all from 6:30-7:30pm.
- Participate in your assigned bi-weekly Mentor Group (via Zoom).
- Be present for the Forum with Fred (in-person or via Zoom) on April 2 from 12:30-1:45pm.
- Participate in the Dharma Buddies program with other Intensive participants during the Intensive; look for the link to register for Dharma Buddies in the confirmation e-mail you will receive once your Intensive registration is completed.
The fee for the 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.
This Intensive will begin on February 27 and end on May 22. Specific readings, group assignments, and Zoom instructions will be shared on the Intensive Practice Page once registration has been completed.
REGISTRATION PROCEDURES:
Please read the information below before you click to register.
Mentor Groups. When you register, you will also be asked to indicate your preferences for the Mentor 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
- 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. Please have your calendar available when you register so that you can complete this part of the registration process accurately
Mentoring Group #1: Tuesdays at 7:30 am
Mentoring Group #2: Tuesdays at 6:30 pm
Mentoring Group #3: Wednesdays at 7:30 am
Mentoring Group #4: Wednesdays at 6:30 pm
Mentoring Group #5: Thursdays at 4:30 pm
Mentoring Group #6: Thursdays at 6:30 pm
