RESOURCES

By BRANDY KIDD

One month ago, FCM enjoyed its Mahasangha event.  In Buddhism, the term “maha” signifies “great.” This descriptor certainly held true on multiple levels! It was a deeply meaningful weekend celebrating both our teacher’s 80th continuation day, and FCM’s 30th anniversary. Old friendships were rekindled and new ones were forged. To me, it felt deeply and joyfully connected (shared conversations over meals, dancing, beautiful music, chats in the garden), all united by a love for The Three Jewels: Buddha, Dharma, Sangha.          

And for me, as someone who practices primarily with FCM’s Naples Sangha, our “maha” gathering was also great in its powerful demonstration that indeed, we are all the leaves of one tree (to quote the lovely Plum Village song).

There are not two FCM sanghas, Tampa and Naples. There is one sangha with different branches on the same tree of refuge. We share the same history, the same teacher, the same lineage, the same dedication to the cultivation of understanding and love. 

And to cultivate that sense of unity, it is vitally important that we spend time 

From left, Alex Lerner, Angie Parrish and Brandy Kidd

 give an oral history of FCM's 30 years.

 together!  What a joy to see new and longstanding Naples sangha members immersed in the warmth, the conviviality, the selflessness of the buddha field that is the Tampa branch of our sangha. Likewise, when our Tampa-based brothers and sisters visit the Naples branch, the comments are often appreciative of the atmosphere, the close-knit energy of this smaller, bonded group of practitioners.

As I shared during the Friday morning panel during our celebration weekend, I had the amazing privilege of being part of FCM’s origin story 30 years ago. In the fall of 1995, having been told that Fred was a student of Thich Nhat Hanh, and then reading Thay’s book, A Joyful Path, about sangha-building, I called him to ask if he knew of a sangha in our area. He said, “People keep asking me that.  Let’s have a Day of Mindfulness!” And so it began.  

When Fred felt the call to reach a larger audience and moved to the Tampa/St. Pete area, the Naples branch continued to meet weekly and has done so without cease ever since. Many brothers and sisters have rotated as leaders of the Naples branch of our sangha, stoking the fires of Buddha, Dharma, Sangha energy with love and dedication. Many more brothers and sisters offer selfless service consistently and joyfully.  

Often in Naples I’m heard to encourage: “Please visit the center in Tampa! Attend a selfless service workday. Attend a Day of Mindfulness! Attend a retreat!” and when in Tampa: “Please come practice with us in Naples!” That cross-pollination is key. We inter-are. Yet truly: we are one sangha, united in a culture of interbeing, of love for this beautiful path.

Brandy Kidd is leader of the Naples Sangha and is a licensed clinical social worker in Naples.

By JUNE HEMBERGER

The sun was just rising as I left Naples to drive north, making my way to the FCM’s Mahasangha. Having missed the first day, I was determined to take full advantage of Day Two. The closer I got, the more excited I became, and maybe even a little bit nervous since I haven’t spent much time at our center.

Dion Hall and John McHarris welcomed me with big smiles and hugs. Then Pryanka Handa and I hugged as she was leaving to return to Naples. Their familiar faces certainly made me feel more comfortable.

My experience at a silent retreat last year was quite a contrast to the celebratory atmosphere at the Tampa Center that morning. Everyone wore big smiles and overflowed with joy! I greeted a few people I’d met at last year’s retreat, and they immediately made me feel welcome.

That morning a panel of early members, Angie Parrish, Brandy Kidd and Alex Lerner, described the amazingly fortuitous creation of FCM. From meetings in Fred‘s living room when he lived in Naples to the discovery of the Tampa site, the story was both entertaining and miraculous. I was moved by the thought of so many people working together to literally construct their vision once the site was found. Our center would not be here today without the hours and hours and hours of selfless service people gave to our sangha. I was inspired just imaging it!

Later that morning Fred interviewed three panels of FCM members about how their practice has impacted their lives. One panel of Marilyn Warlick, Karuna Reiff and Bryan Hindert focused on relationships, another of Misti Oxford-Pickeral, Max McHarris and Carl Newman focused on work, and the third of Libby Dunn, Peggy Wallace and Kevin Conlin focused on illness and death. I was moved by peoples' openness and deep, heartfelt descriptions. Kevin's experiences with end-of-life issues reaffirmed for me the value of just sitting with someone, whether they’re ill, in physical or emotional pain, or nearing death. I learned much from others’ practices.

That afternoon I met and learned from Peggy Wallace about community care and Raven Dreifus-Kofron about spiritual friends groups. Dinner was predictably delicious, and a chance to meet yet more people. The evening was topped off with an amazing cello and piano concert by FCM members Diana Fish and Bob Boguslaw, who are professional musicians.

All in all, it was definitely worth the trip! I strengthened friendships and made lots of new friends. Best of all was feeling so welcomed and cared about by my sangha sisters and brothers, even those I’m just getting to know. How grateful I am to have discovered FCM many years ago. I am learning how to be happy and how to bring more love into this precious world. 

June Hemberger joined FCM in 2019. She is a retired medical practice manager, management consultant and retail business owner.

By DION HALL

My aspiration to join the Order of Interbeing (OI) developed once I realized that the bodhisattva path was my ticket to happiness and fulfillment. This was an easy conclusion to draw, as the happiness I get from dedicating myself to practice and being of benefit has been unmatched, especially when compared to worldly grasping.

One day, after spending some time researching the Order of Interbeing, I decided to become an aspirant. I was initially inspired by Chris Witrak, who had already been ordained, and Max McHarris, who had just become an aspirant. I felt that I was in a similar place in my practice and understanding of the Dharma as they were, which made taking the leap easier. I remember separate conversations with both of them, where we shared the sense that we are the future of FCM. We talked about how important it is for us to do the work now, so that when the time comes to step into more significant roles, we will be ready.  

My next step was to ask Fred about joining OI. At first, he said, I think reluctantly, “We’ll talk.” So, being my typical go-getter self, I emailed Fred “to talk”.

Our meeting went well. I expressed my aspiration to carry on the legacy of Thay and the legacy of Fred. None of us would be here without either. I really love the Dharma, and nothing gives me greater joy than to see others transformed by their practice. This is all I want to do in this lifetime.

My aspirancy began right away, and I joined the newly formed aspirant group. It was our great fortune to be able to work so closely with Fred for two years and deeply look into the Order and the 14 mindfulness trainings. We took a good look at our views and practice week after week, and I think we’ve all grown in our practice tremendously.

Reflecting back on my experience ordaining at Magnolia Grove Monastery, my practice has had an injection of energy. I am moved by the support of the community—John McHarris, Rita Cathey, and Misti Oxford-Pickeral—who took the time to travel to support David Braasch, Libby Dunn, and me. I am moved by the nuns and monks at the monastery, who truly embody the spirit of Thay and are certainly carrying on his legacy.

I heard a recurring criticism that OI members come off as prideful when wearing the brown jacket. I am proud to wear the brown jacket, not to show off or think I’m better than anyone. I am proud to join the ranks alongside our teacher Fred and all the great students of our dear community. I am proud to be of service and do what needs to be done. I am proud to join this great stream. The brown jacket means I'm here to help.

Dion Hall, of Temple Terrace, has been a member of FCM since 2022 and is a member of Wake Up Tampa Bay and the FCM Board of Directors. He was given the FCM Dharma name Source of Great Aspiration and the Plum Village Dharma name True Action of Non-Self (Chân Hạnh Vô Ngã).

By STEPHEN MAYPER

Everything was different. Not when I received transmission, but

when I found the Sangha. Receiving transmission, for me, felt like a foregone conclusion. The wheels of a cart following the foot of the ox. 

I can look back at my life and see a variety of conditions that subtly steered me in this direction, such as learning from my parents that people are fundamentally good and worthy of love; my karate teacher, Mrs. Kaplan, teaching me "square breathing" when I was 5; my pathology professor, Dr. Wheeler, leading fortnightly meditation sessions in my first year of medical school. Through that, though, I never really saw the path. 

2020 was the year I woke up. The scales fell from my eyes, and I realized I had fallen asleep behind the steering wheel of my life. I had let my personal and professional lives run on autopilot without much thought to what I aspired to in life. Jolted back awake during the pandemic, I set to work trying to course-correct. 

I gobbled up self-help books, sought out a psychologist, and set to work on establishing healthy physical habits, and, under the guidance of a few smartphone apps, I began to take up a meditation practice. For years, I sat semi-regularly, and began to listen to Dharma talks online. Most of that time, I couldn’t tell if anything was happening. I understood the goal was to stay mindful during daily life, so I set reminders. I put up sticky notes around my office; I taped index cards around my apartment; I set morning intentions. Yet still I struggled to find mindfulness off the cushion. 

A breakthrough started to happen when I stumbled upon Wake Up and the Florida Community of Mindfulness. Practicing in community and basing my practice in spiritual values and aspirations for the first time, I suddenly found myself having mindful moments throughout my day-to-day. The support of a community and a moral framework made my practice come to life. Still now I spend most moments lost in thought and carried away by emotions, but ever so slowly I am finding moments of “remembering” creeping into my day. 

Before coming to FCM, I had already found solace in the Buddha's example and many of his teachings; however, in finding the community, I truly found refuge in the Buddhist path and the community. Everything was different once I found the sangha. 

The decision to take part in the transmission ceremony did not even feel like a choice. It felt like a natural expression of what I already knew deeply in my body: that the Buddha, the Dharma, and the sangha are my refuges in this life and that I will work for the rest of my life to follow the five precepts to the best of my abilities.

Stephen lives in Tampa with his wife, Nicole, and their dachshund, Weasley. Not unlike his path with the Dharma, when he met Nicole at FCM, he "knew” he had found his soulmate and they married not long after. He enjoys gardening, hiking, and almost anything nerdy or science-y. 

By MARY DAY

Little did I know, when joining FCM's Naples Sangha a year and a half ago, the capacity of one’s heart and mind to open. Practicing the principles of loving kindness, generosity, and selflessness with others in this retreat revealed what a moving and memorable discovery this can be.

Driving from Naples, and looking forward to the retreat, it felt good to arrive at the Tampa Center. The poster of His Holiness the Dalai Lama at the front of the room, with his quote “Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible,” set a feeling tone of loving kindness for the entire weekend. Imagining His Holiness present in the room became an anchor. It was a reminder how choosing kindness is an option, anytime and anywhere.

Our retreat sangha had approximately 30 participants, with about a third of the group doing a three-day silent retreat for the first time. The first practice session presented the tools for cultivating true love which included turning on the light of mindfulness, gently digging deeper to understand, and watering seeds through practice. This orientation guided us toward bedtime as we slipped into noble silence for the weekend.

Angie Parrish and David Braasch alternated their presentations, balancing positive energy with a palpable sense of well being. 

The gentle flowing movements and deep breathing of David’s qigong instruction were joyful and uplifting. The continuity and tradition of the "flowing as a river" walking meditation brought us all together. In a unified motion of going forward, David’s recitation of Thich Nhat Hahn’s quote, encouraged us to lead with the left foot and say to ourselves “I have arrived”, then follow with the right foot “I am home”. I could feel in the cadence of this walking meditation a continual and gentle reminder of our interconnectedness.

Angie’s presentations were skillfully balanced and gently held my attention. Practicing deep sharing and deep listening with a person I had just met was comforting and profoundly touching. Sharing causes and conditions, each of our hearts opened. I felt acknowledged and truly seen. Though our experiences were quite different, the recognition of her suffering gave larger context for mine, transforming into "our" suffering. The practice of tonglen helped me in support of this realization. I breathed in the communal suffering. I breathed out healing and love for communal relief.

Practicing work meditation in the garden was restful for my mind and invigorating for my body. It was a joyful experience to be outside with others, enjoying the exquisite beauty of a Bodhi tree’s leaf! The person I was sharing this with pointed out the leaf’s heart shape, which opened my heart even wider. 

The closing circle gave us each an opportunity to share one or two insights from the retreat. Mine included: 1) A way to turn on the light of mindfulness can be adhering to a daily meditation practice every morning and  2) A way to gently dig deeper for understanding can be putting oneself in other people’s shoes. 

Mary Day was introduced to meditation in the 1980s using Thich Nhat Hanh’s The Miracle of Mindfulness. She and her husband retired to Naples nine years ago. Both are artists and maintain a "smallwalls" studio in the Naples Art District.

By DEBORAH BLAIR

In January I attended the workshop Fred offered on trauma and resilience. Rather than understanding trauma and how it relates to me, I had initially considered registering for the workshop primarily because I was interested in understanding intellectually how the word “trauma” is being used today in popular culture, and how to use the historical Buddhist perspective related to resilience. But that’s not what happened for me.  

Instead, I found myself signing up for the workshop because of the experience I had growing up in my family. We didn’t call it, “Going No Contact” or “Ghosting” in those days, but that’s what it was. There would be a colorful fight between two parties. Then months or years might pass before the parties spoke again.  Or the Ghosting might only last for a weekend. After the alcohol was out of the way, there would be a handshake, pat on the back, or a bro hug.

The Ghosting was always about one person feeling victimized by another and the victimizer defending their actions. On the periphery, other family members chose sides, whispered, and gossiped. I found this entire cycle of family behavior to be traumatic in the sense that the fights were never really resolved, and family members never really trusted one another. 

This cycle of Ghosting has been going on for multiple generations in my family, and was continuing with me and my daughter repeatedly “Going No Contact.”

To be honest, I ended up registering for the workshop simply because I wanted to learn how to fix this situation with my daughter. A huge expectation, right? But my daughter had contacted me shortly before the workshop, and we had begun to communicate once again, albeit very cautiously on my part. So I wanted our communicating to continue without “Going No Contact” again, but didn’t really know how to do that in a way that would build a foundation for resolving any future conflicts without resorting to repeated Ghosting. 

Trying to be openminded and willing as I entered the Meditation Hall for the workshop, I soon found a cushion where two people made space for me to sit. The group was large, and I was nearly late, which always rattles me. But soon everyone settled down, and the talk began. As Fred began to speak, I quickly realized that this workshop was not going to be like anything I had prepared myself for. Instead, Fred was sharing the kind of gentle understanding that I had come to expect from FCM workshops and retreats I’ve attended in the past. His perspective on trauma and resilience was also unexpected. 

Fred spoke of how the culture that we live in conditions our world view and beliefs, along with how we understand and experience trauma. He noted how the internet spreads ideas and news in ways that humans had never experienced before such technological advances.

He reminded us that life is full of unpleasant experiences, and that suffering is a basic tenet of Buddhism. He taught us how we can reframe trauma and become resilient by practicing Right View and understanding the causes of suffering—including how open communication helps us to understand ways in which others may experience our actions as causes of their own suffering.  

Overall, I left the workshop appreciating how we can reframe trauma and become resilient by practicing Right View, and committed to understanding better through opening myself to conversation with others about how my actions may be experienced as causes of suffering for them—suffering I’m unaware of unless it’s brought to my attention.  

Deborah Blair of Placida, FL, has been an FCM member for two years.

By JUDY CLEMENTS

As a relative newcomer, I approached my first FCM intensive with mixed emotions. Desperate to close out 2024 with some real sense of accomplishment, I knew the timing was perfect. The topics and teachers aligned with my preferences. Yet anxiety and resistance dampened my enthusiasm as I contemplated the requirement of being a “Dharma Buddy,” especially the “Buddy” part. 

Bonding with others has always been a struggle for me. In my early years I withdrew from my family to find comfort and solace in the book universe. While I excelled in an academic setting, doing so did not help me learn how to make and maintain friendships. Growing up, I didn’t have a suburban neighborhood to promote social skills during after-school free time.

As an adult, I enjoyed success In my professional life, but my personal relationships continued to be problematic and frustrating. Although my compulsive intellectual pursuit of understanding eventually built a base of relevant knowledge, I remained unable to implement the changes that I felt were necessary for me to be happy or find any modicum of peace. 

Stumbling through the doors of FCM and into the loving arms of the sangha was a profound experience I was not expecting. So much of what had been missing from my life seemed readily available in my new community. I arrived as a loner, self-absorbed and isolated, but soon began to explore the many opportunities FCM offered to explore new relationships. I wanted to know how and where I fit in, what I could offer, and what I needed to learn. I participated actively, often, and in many different ways.  

Given my track record with relationships, however, when it came time to register for my first Intensive, I worried and resisted in advance what I perceived as the “accountability/responsibility” factor of participating in the Dharma Buddy program, which was a requirement. Yet once enrolled, my beliefs around my own worthiness soon proved to be inaccurate.

I was paired with the perfect Dharma Buddy who was “just right” for me. Trust and confidence in myself and buddy soon developed as we shared aspirations and intentions, successes and frustrations without judgment or giving advice. The daily support of a Dharma Buddy helped us both to remember the teachings and our commitment to follow through on specific intentions. There was flexibility, creativity, and endless potential for enriching our relationship. I grew to appreciate the endless storehouse of wisdom in another’s perspective. I experienced great comfort, peace, and reassurance in our sharing and communicating in ways steeped in the Dharma. 

By the end of the Intensive, I clearly saw how my worries about being an inadequate Dharma Buddy were yet another example of wasted energy keeping me unhappy. My Dharma Buddy relationship unfolded as a microcosm of the sangha -- individuals paired and connected to add energy and vision to the collective, strengthening and enlivening our work and the teachings. For me, this program and other opportunities to practice deep sharing/listening have been one of the most rewarding aspects of being part of FCM. I would not want to miss out on any opportunity to participate in the Dharma Buddy Program again!  

Judy Clements of Seffner is a retired educator.  She experienced a homecoming when finding FCM, where the Dharma Buddies Program helped her to connect with like-minded people.     

By VAN TUYET ANH LE

My main intention was to visit my family in Vietnam. I had not planned to attend the third memorial retreat and ceremony marking the passing of Thich Nhat Hanh (Thay) on January 18 at Tu Hieu Pagoda, his root temple in Hue Province. But my roommate's mom, who is a sangha member there, encouraged me to participate.

My approach was to relax and embrace the spiritual atmosphere. I believe the best way to cultivate deep awareness of the miracles around me is through relaxation and mindfulness. With this intention, I was able to open my heart, practice kindness, and connect with sangha members from different backgrounds.Above, Le visits Thay's "Breathing Room" at his root temple, Tu Hieu, in Hue, Vietnam.

The ceremony was held over three days. Centered around the retreat’s theme, “Sangha Gathering,” I experienced a timeless and spaceless environment filled with love. I felt as though I were one of Thay’s students, walking peacefully among a community of his spiritual descendants toward my true home and the roots of awakening.

This retreat marked my first experience practicing Buddhism in Vietnam, having begun my practice in America. Initially,I felt like a fish in a new pond. However, my ability to learn Buddhism in both Vietnamese and English enabled me to connect deeply with sanghas from around the world. The retreat hosted approximately 200 monks and nuns from the Plum Village tradition, alongside 500 practitioners. Due to limited accommodations, most participants stayed in nearby Airbnbs.

Above, Thay's calligraphy desk is set up at Tu Hieu Temple.

At the retreat, I was touched by the connection among sangha groups across Vietnam, such as HCMC’s Moonlight Sangha (Tăng Thân Trăng Rằm), Hanoi’s Morning Star Sangha (Tăng Thân Sao Mai), and Hue Sangha. Thay’s teaching of Tình Huynh Đệ (brotherhood) resonated deeply, as the care and compassion shared among participants turned every step in Thay’s home into a practice of mindfulness.

The retreat provided an opportunity to learn about the Vietnam War and the challenges Thay and his students faced during that time. I also gained insight into the efforts of the first and younger sangha generations to bridge the gap created during Thay’s years in exile, reflecting their dedication to practicing mindfulness in education, business, family and relationships.

Thay's living room at Tu Hieu Temple.

Practitioners shared their aspirations to incorporate mindfulness into workplaces and to reform Vietnam’s education system by fostering kindness and compassion. Mrs. Hang, a representative of Plum Village’s Wake-Up School, emphasized that true transformation begins with cultivating love and inclusiveness within ourselves. She stressed that such changes, starting with teachers, are essential for inspiring broader societal shifts.

Additionally, I cherished hearing personal stories from Thay’s students about his teachings, daily routines, and hobbies. Brother Pháp Niệm shared that while Thay was often seen as gentle and soft, he could also be firm when needed.

This retreat deepened my respect for Thay and his vision of collective awakening for all beings. His teachings of brotherhood and compassion continue to inspire, transcending generational divides and nurturing a path of mindfulness for the future.

What I feel most strongly after the retreat is a deeper faith in the path. As Thay said, "Happiness is the way," and I am now even more convinced of my understanding of true happiness. The path is already within me; I just need to remain calm, relax, walk peacefully with each step, and bring love both to myself and those around me.

Van Tuyet Anh Le of Tampa, who is Vietnamese, began studying abroad at the University of South Florida in 2022. She discovered FCM through its website and has been practicing as an FCM member for the past seven months. She is a vegetarian, and her hobbies include cooking, reading, and spending time with friends. One thing that often stands out about her is her smile and her dedication to the spiritual path.

By PAT LUKACS

Pulling into my usual parking spot, the one farthest from the Swan Motel and closest to the familiar wooden gate, I awkwardly dislodge my arthritic right hip to get out of the car, limp through the side gate, and clamber up the steps to the back door of the Meditation Building. By now, my right leg is stretched out, my hip is behaving a little better, and I’m feeling more physically

 grounded. At the door, my inner equilibrium begins to catch up with my physical stability.

I pause, remembering to breathe, soothe and center myself with the gatha, “I am home. I have arrived.”

Each morning of housekeeping selfless service at FCM is made meaningful and

Pat Lukacs, left, with

co-leader Eleanor Cecil

enjoyable for me because of these pauses, these transitional moments that I’ve come to identify as a type of spiritual punctuation. As a retired English teacher, I’m weirdly aware of punctuation--not just the visual type that we use to signal pauses and inflection in writing--but also the many “figurative” or spiritual forms that can serve the same purpose in the rhythms of everyday thought and action. 

The pause that seems so accessible while I’m “home” at FCM, easily eludes me elsewhere. Despite my efforts to remain focused and deliberate off the FCM campus, the day’s thoughts and events often rush by with no space or transitional moments between them. In contrast, while housekeeping at FCM, I move effortlessly in a peaceful rhythm from one task to the next marked by pauses that seem to elevate me beyond an aging body, disintegrating joints, and a distracted mind. The habitual tension and hurriedness, the jerky awkwardness that are frequent companions when I clean my own house are missing at FCM when my housekeeping is punctuated by transitional moments. 

I usually begin by collecting trash and recycling, first from the Meditation Hall, then from the Education Building, and finally from Great Cloud Refuge. As I leave each building, I offer a surreptitious bow in recognition of the sacred purpose of the physical space and also in gratitude for the role this building has played over the years in nurturing my own practice.

As I move to another task, whether vacuuming entrances and foyers or scrubbing toilets and sinks, I punctuate. The breaks between tasks provide full stops. In these pauses, I'm able to gently release my conditioned response, the habitual drive to complete tasks as thoroughly and efficiently as possible.

I can replace the race with "good enough," with relaxed appreciation and gratitude. There are serene gaps, brief pauses often repeated at even intervals, not only between tasks, but also within tasks.  Wiping up the window, “I love to clean and scrub;” wiping down tday my heart and mind grow clearer.”

Cleaning completed, I return to my self-assigned parking spot, curious to see if maybe I actually can—by silencing the chatter of self-imposed limits--find and savor these marks of spiritual punctuation, these pauses at transitional moments throughout the rest of the day.

Pat Lukacs has been a member of FCM for about 10 years.  She is an ordained member of the Order of Interbeing, is co-leader with Eleanor Cecil of  the Housekeeping Team, and lives in Seminole Heights, where she cohabitates with two geriatric dogs. 

By ANGIE PARRISH

“Isn’t some anxiety normal?” Fred was asked on Day One of our recent retreat on Composting Fear into Fearlessness. Doesn’t everyone sometimes get worried or anxious about potentially unpleasant encounters, not being liked, getting sick or injured, approaching hurricanes, climate change, election outcomes, and so forth?  

Fred’s resounding “No!” surprised many of us. 

Anxiety and worry may be widespread, he taught, but this kind of fear is neither innate nor helpful. Yes, fear is helpful when we’re faced with imminent physical danger that triggers a fight or flight response, such as a bear poised to attack. But fear and anxiety arising in response to thoughts about what could happen in the future do nothing to protect us. Such imaginings only cause us to suffer and rob us of ease, joy and intimacy with life and other beings.

Amid engaging teacher/student interaction that included much laughter, Fred’s teachings and Bill MacMillen’s guided meditations during the retreat helped us to see how we could begin to understand and transform our fear into fearlessness.

We learned how:  

• We’re not born fearful and anxious. Fear arises and grows in our mind as a consequence of how we perceive and respond to life experiences.  
  
• Fear causes us to contract, constrict, and live from a place of protecting “self” instead of responding to life with confidence and ease.
  
• Worry, anxiety, and fear arise in the mind as a response to worrisome thoughts.  External triggers are not the root of our fear. If they were, everyone would be afraid of spiders.
  
• We humans tend to overestimate danger and undervalue our capacity to respond effectively. Fred used two hands (picture a scale of justice with two pans) to represent how fear arises in the imbalance between the perceived danger on one hand and our capacity to respond on the other.
  
• We cannot accurately predict the future. All we can do is prepare for reasonable possibilities and then deal with whatever happens when it does, remembering always to investigate our fear by asking, “Is it true?”
  
• Mindfulness is absolutely essential to transforming our fear into fearlessness. IF we notice fear arising in the mind or body, AND we stop to name and welcome it, we can calm it by coming back to the present moment, placing attention on the breath, and letting go of those fearful thoughts about what might happen in the future.   

At our closing circle early Sunday morning, everyone shared their insights from the retreat and plans for bringing the teachings into their daily lives. Later during Sunday Sangha, Fred asked three retreatants to share their experiences. 

• Monica shared how much stress she was experiencing from the accumulation of many small fears around her work as a teacher. She realized that her fear of imperfection was creating stress for herself and possibly for her students, and that she could choose to see the beauty of each child and where they weere in the learning process instead of worrying about imperfection. As Monica said, “I think this insight is going to transform who I am as a teacher.”
  
• Patrick, a hedge fund analyst, shared learning that our fears are actually imaginary – made up in our minds – which was a transformational wake-up for him. In the past he had identified as a worrier or anxious person.  Now he saw how none of us is an anxious or fearful person by nature because no one is born fearful or anxious. So he can transform his fear instead of continuing to be a worrier. 
  
• Joan, a retired psychiatrist attending her first retreat with FCM, shared coming into the retreat with some anxiety but telling herself that her kind of anxiety was normal, and so not a problem. She was surprised to discover there’s no such thing as “normal anxiety.” She described her retreat experience as “beginning a process of unraveling all the tentacles of fear in my life…just sort of peeling the blinders off. And, Step Two, acquiring some tools, which I’m just learning how to use.” 
  

Like all FCM retreats, this one supported us in healing and transforming our suffering. I know first-hand this is why our teacher Fred founded FCM and it remains our shared purpose for existing. I am deeply grateful to Fred and to the many volunteers at the Florida Community of Mindfulness who find our shared purpose so meaningful and give so much support to our mission and vision.

Angie Parrish is Dharma Programs Leader for the Florida Community of Mindfulness. She has been a student of Fred since 1999.