Description
Parenting is one of the most profound paths of practice. Our children invite us to meet each moment with fresh eyes, revealing both our deepest love and our deepest conditioning. In the midst of busy family life, we encounter joy and grief, delight and exhaustion, connection and conflict. Rather than seeing these experiences as obstacles to practice, the Buddha invites us to recognize them as the practice itself. Each interaction becomes an opportunity to cultivate mindfulness, compassion, patience, and wise intention. As Sayadaw U Tejaniya’s teacher reminded a busy mother, “Just as you need to take care of your children, do also take care of your mind at the same time.”
In this practice group, we will explore how mindfulness can help us become a steady refuge for ourselves and our children. Together we will learn to pause before reacting, to meet difficult emotions with kindness, and to cultivate the inner stability that allows us to respond with wisdom rather than habit. Through meditation, Dharma reflections, mindful inquiry, and shared discussion, we will investigate how presence, deep listening, and loving awareness nourish healthy relationships and support the natural unfolding of our children’s lives. Open to parents and caregivers of children of all ages, this group offers an opportunity to practice in community, discovering that awakening is found not apart from family life, but in the very heart of it.
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.