Description
In the heart of winter, let’s explore the three G’s: Gratitude, Generosity, and Grace. These will warm us up! Over the course of 7 weeks, we will intentionally cultivate gratitude, practice generosity, and allow grace into our lives. When we investigate and nurture each of these beautiful heart qualities, we can experience the joy and wonder that arise when we embody presence and appreciate all that nourishes our lives.
With mindfulness, we will also investigate those moments when there is little gratitude, generosity, or grace to be found. We will get to know the tendencies and habits in our hearts that lead to distress, including attachments, clinging, greed, aversions, strong dislikes, and delusions.
Everyone is welcome and encouraged to explore their hearts during these winter months. This program is appropriate for both new and experienced meditators of all ages and all levels of experience. Each session will include formal meditation practices, teachings, time for discussion, reflections, and questions. Home Practices between sessions are essential to this group.
Attending an online practice group
- Sitting a practice group from home online differs greatly from coming to a meditation center. Tending to your comfort and giving yourself a quiet, private sitting and walking space (if possible, in your environment) 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 practice group is structured to support your well-being and practice with regular breaks and time for mindful movement.
- We use Zoom for online practice groups. Before your practice group begins, be sure to download Zoom and familiarize yourself with using the program, including the chat feature. Specifics about how we use Zoom during your practice group will be covered initially; however, we cannot provide technical support during the group.
- 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 practice group a few minutes early. This will support the teachers and your fellow attendees.
- Please maintain noble silence as much as possible for the duration of the practice group and take any necessary steps to limit external distractions such as incoming emails, texts, or other interruptions to maintain the integrity of our practice together. Close all programs on your computer other than Zoom and turn off all notifications on your devices.
- Power off your phones and smartwatches for the entire practice group. Please don’t check your devices during breaks. We suggest you put an “away” message on your email and voicemail and leave your devices in another room during the practice group.
- Please keep your video on during our time together as much as possible. This supports a sense of connectedness and sangha.
- You will receive a welcome email from CIMC a day or two before your program, including the Zoom link, practice group schedule, and further information.
- Practice groups will often have home practices in between sessions.