With Fred Eppsteiner
Dates: October 6 - December 15
Registration Deadline: September 22
Deconstructing the Myth of Self is a year-long 3-Part Intensive. Part 1 was held in Winter/Spring this year, Part 2 was held this past Summer, and Part 3 will be held this Fall, giving us the opportunity to look and practice deeply and thoroughly.
Suitability
FCM members who have participated in the 2025 Deconstructing the Myth of Self Intensive Part 1 and 2, or who have taken this FCM Intensive in prior years.
Learn more about FCM's Three Paths
Description
“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)
The Fall Dharma Path Intensive is a continuation of the year-long Intensive that began in February 2025. In Parts 1 & 2 we learned how to use mindfulness to observe ourselves closely and to know the various ways our particular 'self' manifests in the world, both inwardly and outwardly. We also looked deeply, using western psychological perspectives, in order to see both the underlying core beliefs and schemas that drive much of the self-inflicted drama of our lives, as well as the conditioning that gave rise to these ways of being in the world.
As we go forward into this final Part 3 of the Intensive, we will continue our exploration of the self, now from the perspective of Buddhist psychology, Yogacara philosophy, and other Buddhist teachings. Guided by these teachings and meditation practices, we will take a penetrative look at the very structure of self to understand whether there is anything substantial or permanent to it, or whether it is simply an illusion. If so, we can then shift our psychological baseline to a world of interconnection, nonseparation and interbeing.
Participant Commitments
- Spend a minimum of 60 minutes daily in meditative practice, study, reflection, and/or other practices related to the Intensive.
- Read the Dharma text portions that you’ve chosen for the Intensive.
- Regularly attend weekly meditation, Days of Mindfulness and retreats during the Intensive, if possible.
- Be present for the bi-weekly Dharma Talks (via Zoom) on Monday nights 6:30-7:30 pm, Eastern time, Oct 6, 20, Nov 3, 17, Dec 1, 15.
- Participate in your assigned bi-weekly Mentor Group (via Zoom).
- Daily sharing of a concrete Intensive-related intention with your Dharma Buddy via text or email. You may request a specific buddy who is also registered for this intensive by contacting evelynhaseman@gmail.com.
Fees
The fee for Part 3 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 - we do not want financial considerations to be a deterrent to participation.
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.
Registration Procedures
Please read the information below before you click to register. We are re-forming our mentor groups for the fall.
Mentor Groups
When you register, you will also be asked to indicate your preferences for your bi-weekly Mentor Groups (small groups of 6-8 participants) 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.
Mentor Group #1: Tuesdays 7:30 - 8:30 am
Mentor Group #2: Tuesdays 6:30 - 7:30 pm
Mentor Group #3: Wednesdays 7:30 - 8:30 am
Mentor Group #4: Wednesdays 12:00 - 1:00 pm
Mentor Group #5: Wednesdays 4:30 - 5:30 pm
Mentor Group #6: Thursdays 7:30 – 8:30 am
Mentor Group #7: Thursdays 6:30 – 7:30 pm
