May 2020
Event Details
Dates: Monday, May 11, 3:15pm - Tuesday, May 19, 10:15am; 9 days (includes 2 partial days). See schedule below. Sliding Scale: $320-$2100; Code 352R20. Registration closes midnight Sunday, May 10. ONLINE:
Event Details
Dates: Monday, May 11, 3:15pm – Tuesday, May 19, 10:15am; 9 days (includes 2 partial days). See schedule below.
Sliding Scale: $320-$2100; Code 352R20.
Registration closes midnight Sunday, May 10.
ONLINE: This at-home retreat is now offered online only, on a sliding scale basis from $320-$2100. We invite you to try this creative form of practice as we take care of one another and respond skillfully to COVID-19.
PLEASE NOTE: This retreat will be modified for an at-home experience.
Retreat Description:
Beneath the frenzy of this time, something is rumbling deep in our minds. It is as if the tectonic plates are moving inside us, but we don’t know exactly where everything will land. There are opportunities and grief. Change and loss are always somehow startling and it takes time and tenderness for the heart to catch up.
From one perspective, spiritual practice right now might appear to be a luxury. Yet, in the middle of the intensity of this historical moment, caring for our hearts is an urgency. Fear, stress, and uncertainty make our minds very suggestible and can lead us down the rabbit hole of anxiety and agitation. But this moment also acts like a magnet, pulling our goodness to the surface. This retreat is an opportunity to cultivate a sense of refuge. The felt experience of refuge gives us the strength such that our heart can remain open amidst uncertainty.
Practicing within our own homes offers an unusual opportunity. Our home creates a sense of comfort – but is often the site of unconsciousness: our habit energies are often strongest there. At-Home retreat can be transformative in ways we do not experience in residential retreats. It allows us to deeply integrate this spiritual path into our living space, creating the visual and temporal reminders of path and practice in our own home.
We will, of course, be doing this together. In a time of isolation, finding community can be especially meaningful. Our retreat will provide a structured immersion in meditation practice, guided instructions and dharma talks while allowing the flexibility to practice in a rhythm that accommodates your life.
Each day will consist of a morning practice period, a dharma talk and a guided loving-kindness meditation in the evening. The timing for these group periods is designed to accommodate different time zones so East Coast participants can be included. You will also have small group practice discussions with Brian and Matthew. All are welcome.
Daily Schedule
PLEASE NOTE: All times shown are Pacific Daylight Time
Tuesday, May 11 — Monday, May 18
Tuesday, May 19 – Closing Day
General Information
Cancellation Policy:
$100 – Up to 2 days prior to your retreat.
No refunds as of 2 days before.
Teacher(s)
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Brian Lesage
Brian Lesage
View Brian's upcoming programs or profile.
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Jin-Hua Dana Jiang
Jin-Hua Dana Jiang
Born in China’s rural Heilongjiang province, Jin-Hua Dana Jiang immigrated to the U.S. when she was about eleven years old. For a decade, Jiang lived in various Buddhist temples in the U.S.—all founded by her great-grand uncle Master Hsuan Hua—and lived as a nun from 12 to 17. In 2006, Jiang graduated from the University of California, San Diego, with a BA in Chinese Studies, and she also completed 9 credits in Master in Mindfulness Studies from Lesley University in Boston. Currently, she works for Glendale Community College in Arizona and, in accordance with her interests, has run an on-campus group meditation space for the past four and a half years. In her free time, Jiang enjoys meditation, hiking, swimming, and attending spiritual retreats.
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Matthew Brensilver, PhD
Matthew Brensilver, PhD
View Matthew's upcoming programs or profile.