Summer 2014 Eight-Week Personal Intensive

Freeing a Hindrance/Cultivating Awakened Mind

July 14 – September 8

Since last fall, our community has been walking together on the second in a series of Paths of Awakening, “The Key Point of Practice: Mastering the Fundamentals,” in order to develop a deeper understanding of the fundamental teachings and practices that support our sangha’s spiritual life.  We began with the Fall Intensive, Practicing From the Inside Out: The Path of Mindful Living, by integrating the practices of self-awareness, mindful living, and emotional healing into daily life. In the recently concluded Winter-Spring Intensive, Seeing Clearly: The Path of Dharma, we cultivated the enlightened view  by studying and meditating on the Four Mind Turnings, The Five Hindrances and The Seven Factors of Awakening.

In this upcoming eight-week summer Intensive, we will have the opportunity to personalize and deepen our practice by freeing the mind from hindrances that obscure it, while awakening the factors that characterize the enlightened mind.

In the first four weeks of the Intensive, each participant will choose one of the Five Hindrances (needing/grasping, aversion/ill-will, sloth/ torpor, restlessness/ worry, and doubt) as the focus of their practice. In the second four weeks each participant will focus their practice on cultivating one of the Seven Factors of Awakening (mindfulness, investigation of phenomena, diligence, joy, ease, concentration, equanimity).  The background of our practice will continue to be reflection on the Four Mind Turnings:  the preciousness of human life, impermanence, cause and effect, and the truth of suffering. 

 

Participants in this Intensive will be provided with a path of practice that will include a mentor, readings, meditation practices, and daily life assignments. Weekly talks with your mentor will provide individual guidance and support.  Fred will be giving three Dharma talks to participants by conference call. Bi-weekly small group meetings in person or by phone will also provide meaningful support to our focused practice. For more specific information about the Path of Dharma, please access the Teachings section of our website and also the Dharma Path page that is linked to the Teaching page.

The commitments for all participants in this Intensive are:

• The commitment to practice a minimum of 30 minutes of daily formal mindfulness meditation 
  
• The commitment to practice recommended meditational techniques/practices and to read and study all recommended readings
  
• The commitment to have regular telephone consultations with assigned mentor
• The commitment to listen to Fred’s Dharma Talks by phone
• The commitment to attend a bi-weekly support/discussion gathering of other sangha members participants in the Intensive, in person or by phone 
• The commitment to attend all the practice periods of our sangha during the eight weeks, as possible

This Intensive is open to all FCM members whether or not you participated in the Winter-Spring Intensive. For those registering for this Intensive who did not participate in the previous Intensive it is highly recommended that you read and reflect on the following readings before the Intensive begins:

• Writings by Gil Fronsdale on the Five Hindrances, accessed through the following hyperlink, http://www.insightmeditationcenter.org/books-articles/articles/ Each one needs to be clicked on individually to access them. There is also a link marked "Handouts" following the listing for the Five Hindrances, which is useful for those seeking a more in-depth study and practice relating to them.
  
• The section on the Seven Factors of Awakening in Seeking the Heart of Wisdom by Jack Kornfeld that can be accessed through the following hyperlink, http://books.google.com/books?id=O_Td1Ul0wKsC&pg=PA75&lpg=PA75&dq=teachings+on+the+seven+factors+of+enlightenment+by+jack+kornfield&source=bl&ots=esiQCuNBNB&sig=3pNGBl0T7_S2kStTsS7LT-XPe3I&hl=en&sa=X&ei=d11iU_XxBYyVyATWsIL4DA&ved=0CEsQ6AEwBA#v=onepage&q=teachings%20on%20the%20seven%20factors%20of%20enlightenment%20by%20jack%20kornfield&f=false 
  
• The Heart of the Buddha’s Teachings by Thich Nhat Hanh, Chapter 26

The suggested donation for this Intensive is $50. This is a suggested donation and participants are free to donate more or less, depending on their individual practice of Dana and their financial situation. Registration will close on Sunday, June 22nd.   

Please note that participation in this Intensive is open only to members of the Florida Community of Mindfulness (FCM).  While participation in our local sanghas and Days of Mindfulness is open to everyone, membership in FCM is for persons wanting to deepen their practice of living an awakened life by being part o a dedicated practice community, having a direct relationship with a Dharma teacher and participating in practice opportunities such as Intensives and longer retreats. For information about membership please access the membership section of our website.