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    • 03 Jun 2023
    • 5:00 PM
    • 10 Jun 2023
    • 1:00 PM
    • In-Person Only

    with Fred Eppsteiner


    Description

    From the time of the Buddha, enlightened teachers consistently have pointed out that our thinking mind is merely a functional capacity of our true, original, natural mind. Mistakenly identifying with and attaching to this conceptually constructed mind, we never experience the innate simplicity and spontaneous wisdom of our true mind. Instead, we live in an ever-changing thought created reality that often produces chronic unease, unbalanced emotionality, and dissatisfaction.


    Yet, if we learn to unfetter our natural mind from its historical conditioning and emotional reactivity, it has the capacity to guide and support us in living a life of emotional ease, inner contentment and total openness, i.e., an awakened life. The teachings and practices of the Chan/Zen and Great Perfection traditions show us how this can be readily accomplished.


    This retreat will focus on facilitating participants’ meditative experience of their original and natural mind and show how to integrate this understanding into the circumstances of daily life. Directly experiencing the mind as it is and all the things that appear in it (especially the self!) as empty of any substance or solidity allows one to break through into the totally open and spacious mind nature. This is the basis of true transformation.


    This retreat is a Wisdom Path Retreat and 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 their mind through meditation and guided reflection. Due to the nature of the teachings, the interaction with the teacher, and the importance of a deep, silent container for practice, this retreat will be residential only (overnighters and commuters).


    Logistics

    This retreat is being offered in-person only to be of most benefit to participants.


    FCM's retreat center in Tampa, Florida provides a beautiful and serene refuge from the noise and business of our everyday lives. Set among our bamboo gardens, walking paths and pond, our center offers comfortable double-occupancy accommodations in our Great Cloud residence hall, nourishing vegan meals and ample indoor and outdoor meditation spaces for personal reflection.


    The retreat will begin with orientation at 5:00 pm on Saturday evening, June 3, followed by dinner at 5:45 and the opening session at 7:00. The retreat will end on Saturday, June 10 at 1:00 pm. Full payment will be due upon acceptance into the retreat.


    The fee for in-person participation is $560 for overnighters and $420 for commuters, with a $50 deposit required to register. The balance of the fee will be due by May 12.


    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 theyve 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.


    The last day to register for this retreat is May 6.


    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 Angie at parrish26@gmail.com

    • 07 Jun 2023
    • 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM
    • Online (FCM members)

    Cancelled this month due to retreat.


    Please note: FCM Members can access the Death Cafe web page and the Zoom links by clicking here.


    Awareness of death and its inevitability is a key part of our Buddhist practice and yet the awareness often fades into the background with our busy lives. Death Cafes at FCM will be monthly drop-in opportunities to talk with other FCM members about death and dying. They will be held on the first Wednesday of each month from 7:00 to 8:30 pm via Zoom.


    Participating in Death Cafes will help members deepen their personal awareness of death, normalize conversations about death within our community, and make it easier to talk with our families and friends about this “elephant in the living room” fact of life.


    Through deep sharing and listening and open ended discussion, we will be able to reflect on the subjects of impermanence and death, and talk about whatever is on our minds, including our concerns, fears, questions and insights surrounding the topic of end of life.


    Death Cafes have become a widespread phenomena in Europe, America and Australia. Based on the work of  Bernard Crettaz, a Swiss sociologist and anthropologist, and championed by Jon Underwood in England, the basic idea of Death Cafes is that it is extremely valuable to simply talk about death. One of our members, Marilyn Warlick will be the FCM Death Cafe facilitator. 


    The group will meet the first Wednesday of each month on Zoom. You can drop-in to a Death Cafe for a one time experience or plan to come each month to talk about the important topic of death and dying. Please note that the group gatherings are intended as discussion groups rather than as grief support or counseling sessions. Please join us!


    If you have any questions, please contact Marilyn at marilynruth21@gmail.com.

    • 17 Jun 2023
    • 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
    • In-Person and Online
    Register

    FCM's Days of Mindfulness are offered both In-Person at the Tampa Practice Center and Online. Whether you are a new or experienced meditator, our Days of Mindfulness are an opportunity to support and deepen the practice of mindfulness and meditation, and nourish the seeds of well being, inner peace and openness in our lives.

     

    The day will be a chance for all of us to put down the busyness of our lives and to relax, refresh, and renew with the healing energy of mindfulness. The day is an opportunity to experiment with letting go of our stories and dramas about our lives and the world. Instead we will practice simply be present to, and nourished by, our actual experience in the present moment. 


    We encourage everyone in the Tampa Bay vicinity to experience the richness of practicing together, in-person in our Meditation Hall. Please familiarize yourself with our Covid-19 Safety Protocols and plan to arrive by 8:30 am.


    If joining us online, the link to Zoom information will be provided once you register. We provide guidance to help you make the experience at home as close as possible to an experience in the Meditation Hall.


    When you register indicate your choice of participation In-Person or Online.  While there is no fee for participation, the traditional practice of Dana (generosity) is appreciated. Please register to receive important information about your In-Person or Online Zoom attendance.  


    If you have any questions please contact Rita Cathey at ritaanna727@gmail.com


    • 24 Jun 2023
    • 8:30 AM - 11:30 AM
    • In-Person
    Register

    Members and non-members are invited to join the FCM community in selfless service and work meditation Saturday, June 24 by participating in this Saturday's workday!

    We will begin the day together meeting under the pergola located between the Education Building and Great Cloud in preparation for our mindful work, with an orientation by work day leaders. There will be both indoor and outdoor tasks in need of our joyful attention. Please wear old clothes, sturdy closed-toe shoes and bring work gloves if you have them. Snacks and water will be provided.


    We encourage everyone to experience the richness of practicing together, in-person on our campus. Our safety protocols are based on CDC recommendations. Please familiarize yourself with our Covid-19 Safety Protocols.


    With metta,

    Molly and Bill

    • 03 Jul 2023
    • 7:30 PM - 8:45 PM
    • In-Person and Online

    At FCM we celebrate the full moon each month with an evening devoted to meditations that help us develop and cultivate the mind of kindness, friendship and compassion towards all beings. During the guided meditation, we will practice embracing ourselves and others with thoughts of unconditional kindness, compassion, and support, and then to extend those feelings with well wishes for peace, happiness and an end to suffering for everyone in the world.


    It has long been part of Buddhist tradition to honor and celebrate the arrival of the full moon. Legend has it that Shakyamuni Buddha was born under a full moon, arrived at his enlightenment under a full moon, and passed into paranirvana under a full moon. In Zen the full moon reminds us of our Buddha nature or our essential wholeness and completeness.


    Our Full Moon Loving Kindness and Compassion evening will be from 7:30 – 8:45 pm. The evening will include guided loving kindness and compassion meditations, a short talk, and recitation of the Metta (Lovingkindness) Sutra and/or other music and altruistic readings. 


    We encourage everyone in the Tampa Bay vicinity to experience the richness of practicing together, in-person in our Meditation Hall. There is no need to register ahead of time. Please familiarize yourself with our Covid-19 Safety Protocols and plan to arrive by 7:15 pm.

     

    If joining us online, the link to Zoom is below. The event is suitable for both beginners and experienced meditators. There is no formal advance registration; simply join us online on the Sangha Line shortly before 7:30 pm. 


    Zoom Links for FCM Sangha Line
    Video Link https://us02web.zoom.us/j/3296243465?pwd=bUo1aFVQblhhbUFpZmZTci9EK0daZz09

    Dial-In # 1-646-558-8656
    Meeting ID# 329 624 3465


    • 05 Jul 2023
    • 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM
    • Online (FCM members)

    Please note: FCM Members can access the Death Cafe web page and the Zoom links by clicking here.


    Awareness of death and its inevitability is a key part of our Buddhist practice and yet the awareness often fades into the background with our busy lives. Death Cafes at FCM will be monthly drop-in opportunities to talk with other FCM members about death and dying. They will be held on the first Wednesday of each month from 7:00 to 8:30 pm via Zoom.


    Participating in Death Cafes will help members deepen their personal awareness of death, normalize conversations about death within our community, and make it easier to talk with our families and friends about this “elephant in the living room” fact of life.


    Through deep sharing and listening and open ended discussion, we will be able to reflect on the subjects of impermanence and death, and talk about whatever is on our minds, including our concerns, fears, questions and insights surrounding the topic of end of life.


    Death Cafes have become a widespread phenomena in Europe, America and Australia. Based on the work of  Bernard Crettaz, a Swiss sociologist and anthropologist, and championed by Jon Underwood in England, the basic idea of Death Cafes is that it is extremely valuable to simply talk about death. One of our members, Marilyn Warlick will be the FCM Death Cafe facilitator. 


    The group will meet the first Wednesday of each month on Zoom. You can drop-in to a Death Cafe for a one time experience or plan to come each month to talk about the important topic of death and dying. Please note that the group gatherings are intended as discussion groups rather than as grief support or counseling sessions. Please join us!


    If you have any questions, please contact Marilyn at marilynruth21@gmail.com.

    • 08 Jul 2023
    • 9:00 AM - 12:30 PM
    • In-Person and Online
    Register

    FCM's Days of Mindfulness are offered both In-Person at the Tampa Practice Center and Online. Whether you are a new or experienced meditator, our Days of Mindfulness are an opportunity to support and deepen the practice of mindfulness and meditation, and nourish the seeds of well being, inner peace and openness in our lives.

     

    The day will be a chance for all of us to put down the busyness of our lives and to relax, refresh, and renew with the healing energy of mindfulness. The day is an opportunity to experiment with letting go of our stories and dramas about our lives and the world. Instead we will practice simply be present to, and nourished by, our actual experience in the present moment. 


    We encourage everyone in the Tampa Bay vicinity to experience the richness of practicing together, in-person in our Meditation Hall. Please familiarize yourself with our Covid-19 Safety Protocols and plan to arrive by 8:30 am.


    If joining us online, the link to Zoom information will be provided once you register. We provide guidance to help you make the experience at home as close as possible to an experience in the Meditation Hall.


    When you register indicate your choice of participation In-Person or Online.  While there is no fee for participation, the traditional practice of Dana (generosity) is appreciated. Please register to receive important information about your In-Person or Online Zoom attendance.  


    If you have any questions please contact Rita Cathey at ritaanna727@gmail.com


    • 09 Jul 2023
    • 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
    • In-Person
    Register

    with Maria Teresa Jaureguizar and Bill Mac Millen


    Do you live in your thoughts about the past or worries about the future? Do your emotions often cause stress and confusion? Do you get carried away by dramas.


    Introduction to Mindfulness and Meditation is a four-week course designed to support the practice of mindfulness, helping us develop the skills and attention to be fully present to our lives in the present moment, and to touch each moment deeply. It is intended for those new to mindfulness and meditation, as well as for those who want to review the basics and establish a more consistent daily mindfulness and meditation practice. The course includes basic instruction as well as an exploration of practical ways to bring mindfulness into daily activities.


    Learning Objectives:

    • Systematically explore mindfulness of breathing, the body and physical sensations through sitting and walking meditation and the body scan practice.
    • Establish and maintain a daily meditation practice.
    • Practice mindful meditation to explore the emotions, thoughts, and overall awareness.
    • Apply mindfulness to difficult emotions and thoughts to avoid getting caught up in dramas.
    • Cultivate daily meditation and mindfulness practices so that mindfulness becomes an integral part of your daily life.

    This four-week course will begin on Sunday, July 9, 16, 23 & 30 from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. Classes will be held in-person. The cost is $75 for all four sessions. If you have questions, please contact us at info@floridamindfulness.org.


    Class Instructors:

    Maria Teresa Jaureguizar first took refuge and the Five Precepts from Gyokoko Carlson in 1999 at the Dharma Rain Zen Center in Portland Oregon. Upon moving to Florida with her spouse, she became a formal student of Fred Eppsteiner in 2012 and was ordained into the Order of Interbeing in 2019. Maria Teresa completed the three-year Dharma Transmission Program in 2018 and has taught various classes related to meditation, mindfulness, and basics of Buddhism. She finds joy in nature, in mentoring those on the meditational path and serving the community. She currently serves as the Community Care Leader. She also works for Hillsborough County Government -Healthcare Services Department.


    Bill Mac Millen has been a practitioner with the Florida Community of Mindfulness and a student of FCM's teacher Fred Eppsteiner since 2013. Aspiring to be of service to the community, he is on the Leadership Council overseeing the area of Center Care, a member of Thich Nhat Hahn's Order of Interbeing (OI), and participated in FCM's first Dharma Transmission Program.







    • 10 Jul 2023
    • Online
    Register

    July 10 - August 31


    When we act unselfishly – solely to bring benefit and well-being to another – and not from a sense of obligation, duty or to receive anything in return, we are engaging from a place of altruistic intention. Altruism seeks nothing in return and does not need to be noticed, praised, or even acknowledged. With this pure intention, we are even willing to endure some unpleasantness, deprivation, or difficulty for ourselves. At the same time, despite any such possible hardship to ourselves, we find that there is a deep satisfaction and happiness that results from our actions when based on selfless intentions.


    This desire to be less self-centered in our lives and relationships and to be concerned about the well-being of others is the hallmark of a spiritually maturing individual. The challenge for each of us is how do I transform my habitual knee-jerk self-centric and often narcissistic way of being in the world to one that is genuinely selfless?


    This summer’s Intensive will focus on supporting all FCM members (from brand new members practicing Mindful Living to experienced members on the Dharma or Wisdom Path) on our journey along the altruistic continuum. Whether we’re starting from a place of strong self-absorption and self-importance, or consider ourselves fairly selfless and other-centric in our life and relationships, we all have a distance to go to truly purify our hearts and minds of egocentricity.


    For this Intensive, we will each reflect on specific relationships and areas in our lives where we can set concrete intentions for more altruistic ways of acting, speaking and thinking. As we begin to live these intentions, we will have an opportunity to observe any self-based preferences, aversions or obstacles that arise within. Bringing these obstacles to light will give each of us the chance to identify and transform underlying self-based mental formations and motivations that sabotage the deeper motivations of our hearts.


    As this Intensive is open to all members, it will be a wonderful opportunity for us to practice as community, supporting and nourishing each other to be more altruistic in our lives, in our relationships, and in the world. Participants will have the support of peer groups to share deeply how our practice of altruism is progressing. Fred will be guiding us by offering regular talks and there will also be opportunities to work with Fred in the peer groups on obstacles and challenges that arise.  There will not be assigned texts or readings, but resources will be offered to encourage and inspire us on our altruistic journey.


    Commitments for this Intensive

    • Spend a minimum of 30 - 60 minutes daily (depending on the individual) in formal meditative practice, study, and/or other practices related to this Intensive.
    • Participate in your assigned bi-weekly peer group via Zoom.
    • Be present for Intensive Dharma Talks on these Monday evenings via Zoom: July 10 & 24 and August 7, 21 & 28.
    • Attend all the practice periods of your Sangha during the Intensive, as possible. This might include morning and/or evening Virtual Meditation, Sunday Sangha Meditation & Dharma talk, Monthly Work Meditations and Days of Mindfulness.

      Registration is open until June 23. To ensure you register by this date, please consider registering immediately or mark the registration closing date in your calendar now.


      Please note that participation in intensives is open only to members of the Florida Community of Mindfulness. For information about membership, please access our website at www.floridamindfulness.org.


      Registration Procedure:  When you register, you will be asked to indicate your preferences for the bi-weekly Zoom Peer 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.


      Peer Group #1 - Tuesdays, 7:30 – 8:30 AM EDT

      Peer Group #2 -Tuesdays, 6:30 – 7:30 PM EDT

      Peer Group #3 -Wednesdays, noon – 1:00 PM EDT

      Peer Group #4 -Wednesdays, 4:30 – 5:30 PM EDT

      Peer Group #5 -Thursdays, 7;30 – 8:30 AM EDT

      Peer Group #6 -Thursdays, 6:30 – 7:30 PM EDT


      The fee for this Intensive is $75. 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 Fred at Teacher@floridamindfulness.org. If you have questions about logistics, please contact Nancy Natilson at nnatilson@cs.com or Sheila Ludwig at sajludwig@gmail.com


      Please register by June 23


      • 14 Jul 2023
      • 5:00 PM
      • 16 Jul 2023
      • 4:00 PM
      • In-Person Only
      Register

      with Angie Parrish, Evelyn Greenfield and Maria Teresa Jaureguizar

      With loving-kindness for the whole world should one
      Cultivate a boundless heart,
      Above, below, and all around
      Without obstruction, without hate and without ill-will.
             ~ The Metta Sutta

      Description

      At the deepest level, all beings -– including ourselves – long to be happy and free from suffering, and to experience the love and interconnection that is our true nature, but which may be covered over due to difficulties we have experienced in life. The Buddha’s teachings on loving kindness and compassion can help us uncover and nourish the natural warmth and compassion of our hearts and minds.


      Join us at our lovely and tranquil Tampa retreat center for a weekend of teachings and gentle practices that will nourish your heart. Our schedule for this weekend retreat will include teachings, guided mindfulness and loving kindness meditation, gentle yoga, mindful eating practice with wonderful plant-based meals, and plenty of warm friendship. This retreat is open to both members and non-members and is appropriate for first time retreatants as well as experienced practitioners.


      This retreat will be beneficial for both newcomers to meditation and more experienced mindfulness practitioners with an interest living with more ease in the present moment. 


      Logistics

      This retreat is being offered in-person only to be of most benefit to participants.


      FCM's retreat center in Tampa, Florida provides a beautiful and serene refuge from the noise and business of our everyday lives. Set among our bamboo gardens, walking paths and pond, our center offers comfortable double-occupancy accommodations in our Great Cloud residence hall, nourishing vegan meals and ample indoor and outdoor meditation spaces for personal reflection.


      The retreat will begin with orientation at 5:00 pm on Friday evening, July 14, followed by dinner at 5:45 and the opening session at 7:00. The retreat will end on Sunday, July 16 at 4:00 pm. 


      The fee for in-person participation is $160 for overnighters and $120 for commuters, with a $50 deposit required to register. The balance of the fee will be due by June 23.


      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 theyve 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 this retreat is June 16.


      Retreat Leaders

      Angie Parrish has been a student of Buddhism and mindfulness for over 20 years. After a 1999 retreat with Thich Nhat Hanh, she became a student of Fred Eppsteiner's and a member of the Florida Community of Mindfulness. Angie leads Intensives and retreats for FCM and teaches MBSR and other classes for the Florida Community of Mindfulness. She enjoys nature, hiking, and supporting anyone interested in cultivating more ease and joy in their life.

      Evelyn Greenfield will be guiding gentle yoga for this retreat. Evelyn graduated from the Florida Institute of Integrative yoga studies in 2002. She is a 500 ERYT, YACEP and has been teaching for over 15 years. She has 2 sons, 4 granddaughters and two dogs.


      Maria Teresa Jaureguizar formally began on the Buddhist path in 1996 and became a student of Fred Eppsteiner in 2012. She is an ordained member of the Order of Interbeing and completed the three year Dharma Transmission Program. Maria Teresa currently serves as Community Care Leader and finds joy mentoring others in the practice, spending time in nature, and going for walks with family, friends, and pets.


      Questions?
      For more information, please contact Angie at parrish26@gmail.com.

      • 01 Aug 2023
      • 7:30 PM - 8:45 PM
      • In-Person and Online

      At FCM we celebrate the full moon each month with an evening devoted to meditations that help us develop and cultivate the mind of kindness, friendship and compassion towards all beings. During the guided meditation, we will practice embracing ourselves and others with thoughts of unconditional kindness, compassion, and support, and then to extend those feelings with well wishes for peace, happiness and an end to suffering for everyone in the world.


      It has long been part of Buddhist tradition to honor and celebrate the arrival of the full moon. Legend has it that Shakyamuni Buddha was born under a full moon, arrived at his enlightenment under a full moon, and passed into paranirvana under a full moon. In Zen the full moon reminds us of our Buddha nature or our essential wholeness and completeness.


      Our Full Moon Loving Kindness and Compassion evening will be from 7:30 – 8:45 pm. The evening will include guided loving kindness and compassion meditations, a short talk, and recitation of the Metta (Lovingkindness) Sutra and/or other music and altruistic readings. 


      We encourage everyone in the Tampa Bay vicinity to experience the richness of practicing together, in-person in our Meditation Hall. There is no need to register ahead of time. Please familiarize yourself with our Covid-19 Safety Protocols and plan to arrive by 7:15 pm.

       

      If joining us online, the link to Zoom is below. The event is suitable for both beginners and experienced meditators. There is no formal advance registration; simply join us online on the Sangha Line shortly before 7:30 pm. 


      Zoom Links for FCM Sangha Line
      Video Link https://us02web.zoom.us/j/3296243465?pwd=bUo1aFVQblhhbUFpZmZTci9EK0daZz09

      Dial-In # 1-646-558-8656
      Meeting ID# 329 624 3465


      • 02 Aug 2023
      • 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM
      • Online (FCM members)

      Please note: FCM Members can access the Death Cafe web page and the Zoom links by clicking here.


      Awareness of death and its inevitability is a key part of our Buddhist practice and yet the awareness often fades into the background with our busy lives. Death Cafes at FCM will be monthly drop-in opportunities to talk with other FCM members about death and dying. They will be held on the first Wednesday of each month from 7:00 to 8:30 pm via Zoom.


      Participating in Death Cafes will help members deepen their personal awareness of death, normalize conversations about death within our community, and make it easier to talk with our families and friends about this “elephant in the living room” fact of life.


      Through deep sharing and listening and open ended discussion, we will be able to reflect on the subjects of impermanence and death, and talk about whatever is on our minds, including our concerns, fears, questions and insights surrounding the topic of end of life.


      Death Cafes have become a widespread phenomena in Europe, America and Australia. Based on the work of  Bernard Crettaz, a Swiss sociologist and anthropologist, and championed by Jon Underwood in England, the basic idea of Death Cafes is that it is extremely valuable to simply talk about death. One of our members, Marilyn Warlick will be the FCM Death Cafe facilitator. 


      The group will meet the first Wednesday of each month on Zoom. You can drop-in to a Death Cafe for a one time experience or plan to come each month to talk about the important topic of death and dying. Please note that the group gatherings are intended as discussion groups rather than as grief support or counseling sessions. Please join us!


      If you have any questions, please contact Marilyn at marilynruth21@gmail.com.

      • 05 Aug 2023
      • 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
      • In-Person and Online
      Register

      FCM's Days of Mindfulness are offered both In-Person at the Tampa Practice Center and Online. Whether you are a new or experienced meditator, our Days of Mindfulness are an opportunity to support and deepen the practice of mindfulness and meditation, and nourish the seeds of well being, inner peace and openness in our lives.

       

      The day will be a chance for all of us to put down the busyness of our lives and to relax, refresh, and renew with the healing energy of mindfulness. The day is an opportunity to experiment with letting go of our stories and dramas about our lives and the world. Instead we will practice simply be present to, and nourished by, our actual experience in the present moment. 


      We encourage everyone in the Tampa Bay vicinity to experience the richness of practicing together, in-person in our Meditation Hall. Please familiarize yourself with our Covid-19 Safety Protocols and plan to arrive by 8:30 am.


      If joining us online, the link to Zoom information will be provided once you register. We provide guidance to help you make the experience at home as close as possible to an experience in the Meditation Hall.


      When you register indicate your choice of participation In-Person or Online.  While there is no fee for participation, the traditional practice of Dana (generosity) is appreciated. Please register to receive important information about your In-Person or Online Zoom attendance.  


      If you have any questions please contact Rita Cathey at ritaanna727@gmail.com


      • 18 Aug 2023
      • 5:00 PM
      • 20 Aug 2023
      • 4:00 PM
      • In-Person
      Register

      with Bryan Hindert and Maria Teresa Jaureguizar


      Description

      In our modern world, we have countless ways to stay busy, informed, entertained, and otherwise distracted from the moment we wake up until we go to bed at night. We can easily spend our entire day completely disconnected from our actual experience and unaware of what thoughts and mind-states we are cultivating throughout our busy days. If we do have a moment to stop, we may find that we feel uneasy, agitated, bored, anxious, stressed, in despair, or otherwise uncomfortable in our bodies and our minds. 


      Fortunately, as so many people throughout the world are discovering, there is another way. Through what the beloved Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh called, “The Miracle of Mindfulness,” we can learn how to be at ease in the present moment. We can learn to use our minds in a way that nourishes our well-being and helps us to feel whole again. Through cultivating mindfulness of the body, breath, and mind, we can learn to develop peace within ourselves and to enjoy the simple experience of being alive.  


      In this two-day Introductory Retreat, participants will learn mindfulness and meditation practices that calm and nourish the body and mind. There will be both formal instruction as well as off-the-cushion” practice in areas such as walking, eating, mindful movements and work meditation. There will be periods of Q&A and deep sharing within a setting that is mostly silent, offering participants the opportunity to retreat from digital devices and other distractions that so often clutter our minds and cover the natural spaciousness that lies beneath the noise.”


      This retreat will be beneficial for both newcomers to meditation and more experienced mindfulness practitioners with an interest in living with more ease in the present moment. 


      Logistics

      This retreat is being offered in-person only to be of most benefit to participants.


      FCM's retreat center in Tampa, Florida provides a beautiful and serene refuge from the noise and business of our everyday lives. Set among our bamboo gardens, walking paths and pond, our center offers comfortable double-occupancy accommodations in our Great Cloud residence hall, nourishing vegan meals and ample indoor and outdoor meditation spaces for personal reflection.


      The retreat will begin with orientation at 5:00 pm on Friday evening, August 18, followed by dinner at 5:45 and the opening session at 7:00. The retreat will end on Sunday, August 20 at 4:00 pm. Full payment will be due upon acceptance into the retreat.


      The fee for in-person participation is $160 for overnighters and $120 for commuters, with a $50 deposit required to register. The balance of the fee will be due by July 25.


      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 theyve 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 this retreat is July 15.


      Retreat Leaders

      Bryan Hindert has been following the Buddhist path since 2008, when a strong desire to make changes in his life and to develop a better relationship with his mind drew him to the Florida Community of Mindfulness. This path has helped Bryan to transform his life in profound ways and continues to be a source of guidance, support, and joy in all of his endeavors. In addition to helping to develop and lead Wake Up Tampa Bay, a mindfulness and meditation group for people in their 20s and 30s, Bryan has served by teaching classes and presenting on mindfulness and on Buddhism, and leading intensive practice periods. 


      Maria Teresa Jaureguizar formally began on the Buddhist path in 1996 and became a student of Fred Eppsteiner in 2012. She is an ordained member of the Order of Interbeing and completed the three year Dharma Transmission Program. Maria Teresa currently serves as Community Care Leader and finds joy mentoring others in the practice, spending time in nature, and going for walks with family, friends, and pets.


      Questions?
      For more information, please contact Bryan at bbhindert@gmail.com.

      • 30 Aug 2023
      • 7:30 PM - 8:45 PM
      • In-Person and Online

      At FCM we celebrate the full moon each month with an evening devoted to meditations that help us develop and cultivate the mind of kindness, friendship and compassion towards all beings. During the guided meditation, we will practice embracing ourselves and others with thoughts of unconditional kindness, compassion, and support, and then to extend those feelings with well wishes for peace, happiness and an end to suffering for everyone in the world.


      It has long been part of Buddhist tradition to honor and celebrate the arrival of the full moon. Legend has it that Shakyamuni Buddha was born under a full moon, arrived at his enlightenment under a full moon, and passed into paranirvana under a full moon. In Zen the full moon reminds us of our Buddha nature or our essential wholeness and completeness.


      Our Full Moon Loving Kindness and Compassion evening will be from 7:30 – 8:45 pm. The evening will include guided loving kindness and compassion meditations, a short talk, and recitation of the Metta (Lovingkindness) Sutra and/or other music and altruistic readings. 


      We encourage everyone in the Tampa Bay vicinity to experience the richness of practicing together, in-person in our Meditation Hall. There is no need to register ahead of time. Please familiarize yourself with our Covid-19 Safety Protocols and plan to arrive by 7:15 pm.

       

      If joining us online, the link to Zoom is below. The event is suitable for both beginners and experienced meditators. There is no formal advance registration; simply join us online on the Sangha Line shortly before 7:30 pm. 


      Zoom Links for FCM Sangha Line
      Video Link https://us02web.zoom.us/j/3296243465?pwd=bUo1aFVQblhhbUFpZmZTci9EK0daZz09

      Dial-In # 1-646-558-8656
      Meeting ID# 329 624 3465


      • 06 Sep 2023
      • 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM
      • In-Person
      Register

      with Eleanor Cecil and John McHarris


      Do you live in your thoughts about the past or worries about the future? Do your emotions often cause stress and confusion? Do you get carried away by dramas.


      Introduction to Mindfulness and Meditation is a four-week course designed to support the practice of mindfulness, helping us develop the skills and attention to be fully present to our lives in the present moment, and to touch each moment deeply. It is intended for those new to mindfulness and meditation, as well as for those who want to review the basics and establish a more consistent daily mindfulness and meditation practice. The course includes basic instruction as well as an exploration of practical ways to bring mindfulness into daily activities.


      Learning Objectives:

      • Systematically explore mindfulness of breathing, the body and physical sensations through sitting and walking meditation and the body scan practice.
      • Establish and maintain a daily meditation practice.
      • Practice mindful meditation to explore the emotions, thoughts, and overall awareness.
      • Apply mindfulness to difficult emotions and thoughts to avoid getting caught up in dramas.
      • Cultivate daily meditation and mindfulness practices so that mindfulness becomes an integral part of your daily life.

      This four-week course will begin on Wednesday, September 6, 13, 20 & 27 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Classes will be held in-person. The cost is $75 for all four sessions. If you have questions, please contact us at info@floridamindfulness.org.


      Class Instructors:

      Eleanor Cecil became a member of the Florida Community of Mindfulness (FCM) in August of 2014. She participates in a number of FCM programs including co-leading the Meditation in Recovery Program (MIR) and overseeing Housekeeping. Eleanor is a student of Fred Eppsteiner and took refuge and the Five Mindfulness Training's in May of 2016 and was ordained in the Order of Interbeing at Magnolia Grove Monastery in August of 2019.


      John McHarris has been a practitioner with the Florida Community of Mindfulness and a student of FCM's teacher Fred Eppsteiner since 2011. Aspiring to be of service to the community, he is on FCM's Board of Directors and is currently involved in a Residency Program in Tampa. John is also a resident here at Bermuda Greens. 

      • 06 Sep 2023
      • 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM
      • Online (FCM members)

      Please note: FCM Members can access the Death Cafe web page and the Zoom links by clicking here.


      Awareness of death and its inevitability is a key part of our Buddhist practice and yet the awareness often fades into the background with our busy lives. Death Cafes at FCM will be monthly drop-in opportunities to talk with other FCM members about death and dying. They will be held on the first Wednesday of each month from 7:00 to 8:30 pm via Zoom.


      Participating in Death Cafes will help members deepen their personal awareness of death, normalize conversations about death within our community, and make it easier to talk with our families and friends about this “elephant in the living room” fact of life.


      Through deep sharing and listening and open ended discussion, we will be able to reflect on the subjects of impermanence and death, and talk about whatever is on our minds, including our concerns, fears, questions and insights surrounding the topic of end of life.


      Death Cafes have become a widespread phenomena in Europe, America and Australia. Based on the work of  Bernard Crettaz, a Swiss sociologist and anthropologist, and championed by Jon Underwood in England, the basic idea of Death Cafes is that it is extremely valuable to simply talk about death. One of our members, Marilyn Warlick will be the FCM Death Cafe facilitator. 


      The group will meet the first Wednesday of each month on Zoom. You can drop-in to a Death Cafe for a one time experience or plan to come each month to talk about the important topic of death and dying. Please note that the group gatherings are intended as discussion groups rather than as grief support or counseling sessions. Please join us!


      If you have any questions, please contact Marilyn at marilynruth21@gmail.com.

      • 09 Sep 2023
      • 9:00 AM - 12:30 PM
      • In-Person and Online
      Register

      FCM's Days of Mindfulness are offered both In-Person at the Tampa Practice Center and Online. Whether you are a new or experienced meditator, our Days of Mindfulness are an opportunity to support and deepen the practice of mindfulness and meditation, and nourish the seeds of well being, inner peace and openness in our lives.

       

      The day will be a chance for all of us to put down the busyness of our lives and to relax, refresh, and renew with the healing energy of mindfulness. The day is an opportunity to experiment with letting go of our stories and dramas about our lives and the world. Instead we will practice simply be present to, and nourished by, our actual experience in the present moment. 


      We encourage everyone in the Tampa Bay vicinity to experience the richness of practicing together, in-person in our Meditation Hall. Please familiarize yourself with our Covid-19 Safety Protocols and plan to arrive by 8:30 am.


      If joining us online, the link to Zoom information will be provided once you register. We provide guidance to help you make the experience at home as close as possible to an experience in the Meditation Hall.


      When you register indicate your choice of participation In-Person or Online.  While there is no fee for participation, the traditional practice of Dana (generosity) is appreciated. Please register to receive important information about your In-Person or Online Zoom attendance.  


      If you have any questions please contact Rita Cathey at ritaanna727@gmail.com


      • 29 Sep 2023
      • 7:30 PM - 8:45 PM
      • In-Person and Online

      At FCM we celebrate the full moon each month with an evening devoted to meditations that help us develop and cultivate the mind of kindness, friendship and compassion towards all beings. During the guided meditation, we will practice embracing ourselves and others with thoughts of unconditional kindness, compassion, and support, and then to extend those feelings with well wishes for peace, happiness and an end to suffering for everyone in the world.


      It has long been part of Buddhist tradition to honor and celebrate the arrival of the full moon. Legend has it that Shakyamuni Buddha was born under a full moon, arrived at his enlightenment under a full moon, and passed into paranirvana under a full moon. In Zen the full moon reminds us of our Buddha nature or our essential wholeness and completeness.


      Our Full Moon Loving Kindness and Compassion evening will be from 7:30 – 8:45 pm. The evening will include guided loving kindness and compassion meditations, a short talk, and recitation of the Metta (Lovingkindness) Sutra and/or other music and altruistic readings. 


      We encourage everyone in the Tampa Bay vicinity to experience the richness of practicing together, in-person in our Meditation Hall. There is no need to register ahead of time. Please familiarize yourself with our Covid-19 Safety Protocols and plan to arrive by 7:15 pm.

       

      If joining us online, the link to Zoom is below. The event is suitable for both beginners and experienced meditators. There is no formal advance registration; simply join us online on the Sangha Line shortly before 7:30 pm. 


      Zoom Links for FCM Sangha Line
      Video Link https://us02web.zoom.us/j/3296243465?pwd=bUo1aFVQblhhbUFpZmZTci9EK0daZz09

      Dial-In # 1-646-558-8656
      Meeting ID# 329 624 3465


      • 07 Oct 2023
      • 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
      • In-Person and Online
      Register

      FCM's Days of Mindfulness are offered both In-Person at the Tampa Practice Center and Online. Whether you are a new or experienced meditator, our Days of Mindfulness are an opportunity to support and deepen the practice of mindfulness and meditation, and nourish the seeds of well being, inner peace and openness in our lives.

       

      The day will be a chance for all of us to put down the busyness of our lives and to relax, refresh, and renew with the healing energy of mindfulness. The day is an opportunity to experiment with letting go of our stories and dramas about our lives and the world. Instead we will practice simply be present to, and nourished by, our actual experience in the present moment. 


      We encourage everyone in the Tampa Bay vicinity to experience the richness of practicing together, in-person in our Meditation Hall. Please familiarize yourself with our Covid-19 Safety Protocols and plan to arrive by 8:30 am.


      If joining us online, the link to Zoom information will be provided once you register. We provide guidance to help you make the experience at home as close as possible to an experience in the Meditation Hall.


      When you register indicate your choice of participation In-Person or Online.  While there is no fee for participation, the traditional practice of Dana (generosity) is appreciated. Please register to receive important information about your In-Person or Online Zoom attendance.  


      If you have any questions please contact Rita Cathey at ritaanna727@gmail.com


      • 28 Oct 2023
      • 7:30 PM - 8:45 PM
      • In-Person and Online

      At FCM we celebrate the full moon each month with an evening devoted to meditations that help us develop and cultivate the mind of kindness, friendship and compassion towards all beings. During the guided meditation, we will practice embracing ourselves and others with thoughts of unconditional kindness, compassion, and support, and then to extend those feelings with well wishes for peace, happiness and an end to suffering for everyone in the world.


      It has long been part of Buddhist tradition to honor and celebrate the arrival of the full moon. Legend has it that Shakyamuni Buddha was born under a full moon, arrived at his enlightenment under a full moon, and passed into paranirvana under a full moon. In Zen the full moon reminds us of our Buddha nature or our essential wholeness and completeness.


      Our Full Moon Loving Kindness and Compassion evening will be from 7:30 – 8:45 pm. The evening will include guided loving kindness and compassion meditations, a short talk, and recitation of the Metta (Lovingkindness) Sutra and/or other music and altruistic readings. 


      We encourage everyone in the Tampa Bay vicinity to experience the richness of practicing together, in-person in our Meditation Hall. There is no need to register ahead of time. Please familiarize yourself with our Covid-19 Safety Protocols and plan to arrive by 7:15 pm.

       

      If joining us online, the link to Zoom is below. The event is suitable for both beginners and experienced meditators. There is no formal advance registration; simply join us online on the Sangha Line shortly before 7:30 pm. 


      Zoom Links for FCM Sangha Line
      Video Link https://us02web.zoom.us/j/3296243465?pwd=bUo1aFVQblhhbUFpZmZTci9EK0daZz09

      Dial-In # 1-646-558-8656
      Meeting ID# 329 624 3465


      • 01 Nov 2023
      • 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM
      • In-Person
      Register

      with Jacqulyn Schuett and Bill Mac Millen


      Do you live in your thoughts about the past or worries about the future? Do your emotions often cause stress and confusion? Do you get carried away by dramas.


      Introduction to Mindfulness and Meditation is a four-week course designed to support the practice of mindfulness, helping us develop the skills and attention to be fully present to our lives in the present moment, and to touch each moment deeply. It is intended for those new to mindfulness and meditation, as well as for those who want to review the basics and establish a more consistent daily mindfulness and meditation practice. The course includes basic instruction as well as an exploration of practical ways to bring mindfulness into daily activities.


      Learning Objectives:

      • Systematically explore mindfulness of breathing, the body and physical sensations through sitting and walking meditation and the body scan practice.
      • Establish and maintain a daily meditation practice.
      • Practice mindful meditation to explore the emotions, thoughts, and overall awareness.
      • Apply mindfulness to difficult emotions and thoughts to avoid getting caught up in dramas.
      • Cultivate daily meditation and mindfulness practices so that mindfulness becomes an integral part of your daily life.

      This four-week course will begin on Wednesday, November 1, 8, 15 & 22 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Classes will be held in-person. The cost is $75 for all four sessions. If you have questions, please contact us at info@floridamindfulness.org.


      Class Instructors:

      Jacqulyn Schuett stepped on the Path of Dharma in 1999 when she visited Plum Village for her first retreat with Thich Nhat Hanh. The sign at the entrance, ‘You Have Arrived,’ foreshadowed the sense of home she felt in the intimate environment of this small retreat. Her study with Fred Eppsteiner, through retreats and Intensive studies, began shortly thereafter. In 2015 she was ordained into the Order of Interbeing (OI) and provides support for various activities at the Tampa Center. Jacqulyn also serves as a mentor and leader of introductory classes


      Bill Mac Millen has been a practitioner with the Florida Community of Mindfulness and a student of FCM's teacher Fred Eppsteiner since 2013. Aspiring to be of service to the community, he is on the Leadership Council overseeing the area of Center Care, a member of Thich Nhat Hahn's Order of Interbeing (OI), and participated in FCM's first Dharma Transmission Program.

      • 04 Nov 2023
      • 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
      • In-Person and Online
      Register

      FCM's Days of Mindfulness are offered both In-Person at the Tampa Practice Center and Online. Whether you are a new or experienced meditator, our Days of Mindfulness are an opportunity to support and deepen the practice of mindfulness and meditation, and nourish the seeds of well being, inner peace and openness in our lives.

       

      The day will be a chance for all of us to put down the busyness of our lives and to relax, refresh, and renew with the healing energy of mindfulness. The day is an opportunity to experiment with letting go of our stories and dramas about our lives and the world. Instead we will practice simply be present to, and nourished by, our actual experience in the present moment. 


      We encourage everyone in the Tampa Bay vicinity to experience the richness of practicing together, in-person in our Meditation Hall. Please familiarize yourself with our Covid-19 Safety Protocols and plan to arrive by 8:30 am.


      If joining us online, the link to Zoom information will be provided once you register. We provide guidance to help you make the experience at home as close as possible to an experience in the Meditation Hall.


      When you register indicate your choice of participation In-Person or Online.  While there is no fee for participation, the traditional practice of Dana (generosity) is appreciated. Please register to receive important information about your In-Person or Online Zoom attendance.  


      If you have any questions please contact Rita Cathey at ritaanna727@gmail.com


      • 27 Nov 2023
      • 7:30 PM - 8:45 PM
      • In-Person and Online

      At FCM we celebrate the full moon each month with an evening devoted to meditations that help us develop and cultivate the mind of kindness, friendship and compassion towards all beings. During the guided meditation, we will practice embracing ourselves and others with thoughts of unconditional kindness, compassion, and support, and then to extend those feelings with well wishes for peace, happiness and an end to suffering for everyone in the world.


      It has long been part of Buddhist tradition to honor and celebrate the arrival of the full moon. Legend has it that Shakyamuni Buddha was born under a full moon, arrived at his enlightenment under a full moon, and passed into paranirvana under a full moon. In Zen the full moon reminds us of our Buddha nature or our essential wholeness and completeness.


      Our Full Moon Loving Kindness and Compassion evening will be from 7:30 – 8:45 pm. The evening will include guided loving kindness and compassion meditations, a short talk, and recitation of the Metta (Lovingkindness) Sutra and/or other music and altruistic readings. 


      We encourage everyone in the Tampa Bay vicinity to experience the richness of practicing together, in-person in our Meditation Hall. There is no need to register ahead of time. Please familiarize yourself with our Covid-19 Safety Protocols and plan to arrive by 7:15 pm.

       

      If joining us online, the link to Zoom is below. The event is suitable for both beginners and experienced meditators. There is no formal advance registration; simply join us online on the Sangha Line shortly before 7:30 pm. 


      Zoom Links for FCM Sangha Line
      Video Link https://us02web.zoom.us/j/3296243465?pwd=bUo1aFVQblhhbUFpZmZTci9EK0daZz09

      Dial-In # 1-646-558-8656
      Meeting ID# 329 624 3465


      • 16 Dec 2023
      • 9:00 AM - 12:30 PM
      • In-Person and Online
      Register

      FCM's Days of Mindfulness are offered both In-Person at the Tampa Practice Center and Online. Whether you are a new or experienced meditator, our Days of Mindfulness are an opportunity to support and deepen the practice of mindfulness and meditation, and nourish the seeds of well being, inner peace and openness in our lives.

       

      The day will be a chance for all of us to put down the busyness of our lives and to relax, refresh, and renew with the healing energy of mindfulness. The day is an opportunity to experiment with letting go of our stories and dramas about our lives and the world. Instead we will practice simply be present to, and nourished by, our actual experience in the present moment. 


      We encourage everyone in the Tampa Bay vicinity to experience the richness of practicing together, in-person in our Meditation Hall. Please familiarize yourself with our Covid-19 Safety Protocols and plan to arrive by 8:30 am.


      If joining us online, the link to Zoom information will be provided once you register. We provide guidance to help you make the experience at home as close as possible to an experience in the Meditation Hall.


      When you register indicate your choice of participation In-Person or Online.  While there is no fee for participation, the traditional practice of Dana (generosity) is appreciated. Please register to receive important information about your In-Person or Online Zoom attendance.  


      If you have any questions please contact Rita Cathey at ritaanna727@gmail.com


      • 26 Dec 2023
      • 7:30 PM - 8:45 PM
      • In-Person and Online

      At FCM we celebrate the full moon each month with an evening devoted to meditations that help us develop and cultivate the mind of kindness, friendship and compassion towards all beings. During the guided meditation, we will practice embracing ourselves and others with thoughts of unconditional kindness, compassion, and support, and then to extend those feelings with well wishes for peace, happiness and an end to suffering for everyone in the world.


      It has long been part of Buddhist tradition to honor and celebrate the arrival of the full moon. Legend has it that Shakyamuni Buddha was born under a full moon, arrived at his enlightenment under a full moon, and passed into paranirvana under a full moon. In Zen the full moon reminds us of our Buddha nature or our essential wholeness and completeness.


      Our Full Moon Loving Kindness and Compassion evening will be from 7:30 – 8:45 pm. The evening will include guided loving kindness and compassion meditations, a short talk, and recitation of the Metta (Lovingkindness) Sutra and/or other music and altruistic readings. 


      We encourage everyone in the Tampa Bay vicinity to experience the richness of practicing together, in-person in our Meditation Hall. There is no need to register ahead of time. Please familiarize yourself with our Covid-19 Safety Protocols and plan to arrive by 7:15 pm.

       

      If joining us online, the link to Zoom is below. The event is suitable for both beginners and experienced meditators. There is no formal advance registration; simply join us online on the Sangha Line shortly before 7:30 pm. 


      Zoom Links for FCM Sangha Line
      Video Link https://us02web.zoom.us/j/3296243465?pwd=bUo1aFVQblhhbUFpZmZTci9EK0daZz09

      Dial-In # 1-646-558-8656
      Meeting ID# 329 624 3465


    Florida Community of Mindfulness, Tampa Center
    6501 N. Nebraska Avenue
    Tampa, FL 33604

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    Naples Sangha

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