We explore a number of ways to deepen daily practice, inviting each participant to choose one or two (or three) ways to deepen for the next week.

Loving-kindness is the practice of cultivating a warm, open heart towards ourselves and others. First session on first day.

At a time when there is a great need for us to have a sense of practice in all the parts of our lives—our individual consciousness, relational life, and social engagement—we explore the powerful vision of integrating Buddhist practice and traditions of nonviolence; each has its strengths and weaknesses. We do so by pointing to the shared heart of Buddhist practice and the nonviolence of Martin Luther King, Jr.—identifying four main areas: (1) the “optimistic” view of the deep goodness of human nature, (2) the understanding of reactivity and “passing on the pain” as the roots of dukkha (or suffering) and violence; (3) the grounding in an ethics of non-harming and nonviolence; and (4) the centrality of lovingkindness (metta) and love that is ultimately extended to all.

This workshop introduces experiential embodiment practices that are intended to direct and connect awareness between the body and its hearty/mind.

Day 3

This workshop will cover the relationship between the mind and brain; strengthening neural factors of mindfulness; the role of concentration in Buddhist practice and practical help from brain research for steadying and quieting the mind and bringing it to singleness.