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Awakening in the Anthropocene: Inner Freedom Amid Disruption (online only)

Program Type:
Teacher:
Time:10:00 am - 5:30 pm
Date:Sunday - April 30, 2023
Sessions:1
Registration for this program is closed.

This program will be held online via Zoom. All registrants will receive the link to join the program in their Order Confirmation email. Times are ET.

What if the way we respond to crisis is part of the crisis?
– Bayo Akomolafe

 The times are urgent; let us slow down.
– Bayo Akomolafe

In this daylong retreat, we will come together as a supportive community to immerse ourselves in ancient and contemporary Buddhist meditation practices that open us to sources of wisdom, joy, equanimity, and compassion that are larger than ourselves. As the climate crisis continues to unfold, practices that connect us to the natural clarity, stability, and spaciousness of our minds allow us to see more deeply into the nature of both suffering and freedom. What does it mean to practice awakening in this era of profound disruption? How can the practices of mindfulness meditation, lovingkindness, and other contemplative disciplines transform our experience of reality in new and liberatory ways? We will explore these questions experientially as we engage in transformative and accessible Buddhist meditative practices together.

In the midst of this rapidly escalating global ecological crisis, denial, anger, anxiety, confusion, helplessness, and numbness are common reactions. Dharma practice can provide a powerful foundation from which to discover new ways to be with the reality of climate chaos. In addition to developing our capacity to respond to uncertainty, loss, and change with wisdom and compassion, these practices can transform the external instability we face into a source of liberating insight and compassionate action.

Meditators of all identities, all ages, and all levels of experience are warmly welcomed. In our time together, we will practice sitting meditation, walking meditation, lovingkindness, and dialogue.

This program will not be recorded. Full and partial scholarships are available up to 72 hours before the start of the program.

Zac Ispa-Landa (he/him) has studied and practiced meditation for 20 years – primarily Vipassana (insight) meditation and, more recently, Vajrayana practices. His primary teacher is Lama Rod Owens and his practice is supported by a broad mix of teachings and techniques. He is particularly interested in the role contemplative practices can play in undoing systems of oppression and creating conditions for collective liberation and sustainability. He’s a Senior Lecturer at the University of Vermont, a teacher at Inward Bound Mindfulness Education (iBme) and works with people throughout the country as a mindfulness coach and Dharma facilitator. Zac lives in Winooski, Vermont with his partner, son, and tens of thousands of honey bees.

 


(Closed Captions (CC) for CIMC Programs are generated through “livestreaming” via Rev.com. CIMC programs are not livestreamed to any other platform for any other use.)

There are no prerequisites for this program. Meditators of all levels of experience, all ages, and all identities are welcome.

Retreat

Attending an In-Person Retreat at CIMC (see below for attending online retreats)

  • Please arrive at least 20 minutes early to check-in and to find a comfortable place in the meditation hall.
  • Retreats are held in silence. Please power off your cell phone, smartwatch, or other electronic devices for the duration of the retreat.
  • Parking at CIMC is limited; we suggest taking public transportation to the Center whenever possible.
  • CIMC provides vegetarian meals at day-long, weekend, and multi-day retreats. We are unable to accommodate special dietary needs. If you have dietary restrictions, we invite you to bring your own vegetarian meal. Please note that nuts may be used in our kitchen.
  • Food and beverages, including water, are not allowed in the meditation halls.
  • We strongly recommend you dress in layers since the temperature in the meditation hall will vary throughout the day. The hall thermostat is set to a comfortable temperature range; however, please give yourself a range of clothing options, as individual preferences for warmth or coolness differ widely and cannot be accommodated.
  • Please leave shoes on the shoe shelves on the first floor and keep your valuables with you at all times.
  • CIMC provides zafus (round cushions), zabutons (large mats), meditation benches, blankets, and chairs for your use. At the end of the program, we request that participants brush off their zabuton and plump up their zafu. All other items should be returned neatly to where they were found.
  • CIMC is a refuge. Out of compassion for those who may have chemical sensitivities, please avoid using scented products—lotions, deodorant, after-shave, hair products, perfume, clothes laundered with scented detergent, or dryer sheets—before you come to the Center.
  • Retreat Meal Dana: In keeping with tradition, we invite you to sponsor a retreat meal as a simple and meaningful act of generosity. You will have the option to share a dedication of your generosity, perhaps to someone in your life, to a special occasion, or to an aspiration. Please contact the office for more information on offering Meal Dana for this retreat.

Attending a Retreat Online

  • Sitting a retreat at home and online is certainly different from coming to a meditation center. Tending to your comfort and giving yourself a quiet, private sitting and walking space (if possible, in the environment you are in) will help keep your attention focused and support your practice and learning. Plan to bring as much simplicity and ease to your day as possible. The schedule of the retreat is structured to support your well-being and practice with regular breaks and time for mindful movement.
  • We will be using Zoom for this retreat. Before your retreat begins, be sure to download Zoom and familiarize yourself with using the program, including the chat feature. Specifics about how we will be using Zoom during your retreat will be covered at the beginning of the retreat; however, we are not able to provide technical support during the retreat.
  • We ask that you treat our virtual meditation hall as if we were together in person, in the same room. The teachers and other yogis benefit greatly from your full presence and careful attention.
  • Join each session of the retreat a few minutes early. This will support the teachers and your fellow retreatants.
  • Please maintain noble silence as much as possible for the duration of the retreat and take any necessary steps to limit external distractions such as incoming emails, texts, or other interruptions so that we can maintain the integrity of our practice together. Close all programs on your computer other than Zoom and turn off all notifications on your devices.
  • Ideally, power off phones and smartwatches for the entire time scheduled for the retreat on each day. Please don’t check your devices during breaks. We suggest that you put an “away” message on your email and voicemail and leave your devices in another room during your retreat hours.
  • Please keep your video on during our time together as much as you can. This supports a sense of connectedness and sangha.
  • Closed Captions for CIMC Programs are generated through “live streaming” via Rev.com. CIMC programs are not live-streamed to any other platform for any other use.
  • You will receive a welcome email from CIMC a day or two before your program that will include the zoom link, retreat schedule, and further information.