Date: March 17, 2019; 10:00am – 4:30pm
Sliding Scale: $75 – 200. Code WT1D19.
5.5 CE credits available for $55, for psychologists and California licensed MFTs, LCSWs, LEPs, LPCCs, nurses, and chiropractors.

Description:
Natural Awareness is an effortless, radiant, and spacious state of being that is available to any of us. While many mindfulness techniques emphasize focusing our attention, natural awareness invites us to relax our effort, broaden our attention, and become aware of awareness itself.

In this day, we will explore how these different meditation practices relate to one another. We will then learn simple, doable practices to access natural awareness in meditation and connect with our luminous, natural awareness in life.

The day is based on Diana’s new book, The Little Book of Being. Copies will be on hand for sale, and a book signing will be held.

Teachings are appropriate for health care professionals as well as the general public. Health care professionals will be able to incorporate the tools and practices offered in this program in ways beneficial to clients or patients. Continuing Education (CE) credit available. See below for attendance requirements and more information.

Learning Objectives for participating health care professionals-
Based on the content of this program, you will be able to:

• Incorporate mindfulness practices to develop present moment awareness, and to calm the mind, for self care, in preparation for, and when working with clients or patients;
• Describe how different types of awareness practices can be used to develop moment-to-moment awareness in daily life, and be used to improve patient care;
• Describe how meditation practices can increase a health care provider’s compassion, quality of attention and awareness, and may increase the quality of patient care;
• Describe an awareness practice that may be used to recognize patterns of habitual reactivity and cultivate skillful response;
• Describe uses of different types of awareness practices for working with emotional reactivity for increased self-regulation for clinician and to be shared with clients.

Continuing Education content level: Intermediate

Dates: Monday, June 24, 3:00pm – Sunday, June 30, 11:30am; 6 nights
Sliding Scale: $1600 – $700, PLUS a donation to the teacher(s) and retreat staff. Code 264R19.
12 CE credits available for $120, for psychologists and California licensed MFTs, LCSWs, LEPs, LPCCs, nurses, and chiropractors.

ASL interpretation is available for this residential retreat.
Will open for registration on 2/27/2019.

Retreat Description:
Mindfulness can be defined as paying attention to our present moment experiences with openness, curiosity, and a willingness to be with what is. Through the practice of mindfulness, we learn tools to regulate emotions, develop attention, and cultivate states of compassion, even-mindedness, and greater well-being. When we attend to the present moment over a sustained period of time, practitioners report deeper connection to themselves, more self-compassion, and greater insights into their lives.

In this 6-night retreat, we will practice mindfulness meditation through sitting and walking meditation as well as lectures and opportunity to meet with teachers who will guide our practice. While rooted in Buddhist practice of mindfulness, this retreat will focus on the practical applications of mindfulness, and is open to people of all backgrounds and experience, especially those interested in secular mindfulness. An excellent retreat for beginners, but open to all levels.

Financial assistance is available for all Spirit Rock residential retreats. Our scholarship rate is $40/night and available for all those with financial hardship with special funds allocated to People of Color (POC), folks with serious medical conditions, and young adults (age 18-26). Scholarship funding is offered on a first-come, first-serve basis. Scholarships are budgeted per retreat and because they are in high demand, can run out quickly. We encourage you to register for a retreat as close as possible to the registration opening date (lotteries are an exception).

A unique scholarship opportunity — the Hemera Contemplative Fellowship! If you are 18 years of age or older with a commitment to service — serving others through your profession — you should consider reviewing the eligibility for this Fellowship. In general, this Fellowship is for those who are full-time in the listed eligible professions and are new to silent residential retreat practice. Follow this link for more detailed information: Hemera Contemplative Fellowships. ONE scholarship allowed per person, per calendar year.

Teachings are appropriate for health care professionals as well as the general public. The tools and practices offered in this program will focus on training attention, awareness and cultivating self-regulation, and can be incorporated by health care professionals in ways that improve patient care. Through personal practice, care providers can cultivate strategies to manage the challenges of working in health care; reduce stress and emotional exhaustion, improve focus and general well-being. Continuing Education (CE) credit available. See below for attendance requirements and more information.

Learning Objectives for participating health care professionals-
Based on the content of this program, you will be able to:

• List 4 practices that can be used to cultivate mindfulness;
• Utilize mindfulness of breath practices to develop presence moment awareness, and to calm the mind in preparation for, and when working with clients;
• Describe a mindfulness practice that may be used to reduce stress;
• Describe a mindfulness practice that may be used to reduce emotional reactivity;
• Describe a mindfulness practice that may be used to improve emotional self-regulation while working with clients;
• Utilize body awareness practices to deepen listening presence with clients;
• Assess and respond to compassion fatigue and burnout;
• Utilize practices of self-compassion to address caregiver burnout.

Continuing Education content level: Introductory

Co-sponsored by UCLA Mindful Awareness Research Center.