Description
Narayan Helen Liebenson and CIMC teachers invite you to meet them at the Center for the day to learn and practice an ancient form of deep sharing – originating with Native Americans – known as The Way of Council, Dharma Sharing, and Heart Circles. This day will be a unique opportunity to practice deep listening and authentic speech as we gather together in small groups. The teachers present will share guidelines to create an atmosphere of safety, respect, and trust. Within the confidential container of council, wisdom and compassion can flower beyond views and opinions, bias and preconceived ideas.
In the council circle, you will be welcome to share and listen from the heart with the intention of practicing non-judging and non-assessing. With this intention, appreciation, gratitude, and connection can be strengthened. Together, a sacred space is created.
The council form has been shaped by the work of the Zen peacemakers, Thich Nhat Hanh, Joanna Macy, and other dharma communities. We are happy to offer this opportunity to all in the CiMC community.
Attending an in-person retreat
- CIMC is a refuge. Out of compassion for those with 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.
- Please arrive at least 20 minutes early to check in and find a comfortable place in the meditation hall.
- Parking at CIMC is limited; we suggest you take public transportation to the Center whenever possible.
- Retreats are held in silence. Please power off your cell phone, smartwatch, and other electronic devices for the retreat. All phones, pagers, beeping watches, and other electronic devices must remain completely turned off while you are at the Center.
- Please leave your shoes on the shoe shelves on the first floor and keep your valuables with you.
- We provide vegetarian meals at day-long, weekend, and multi-day retreats. We are unable to accommodate special dietary needs, however. If you have dietary restrictions, we invite you to bring your own vegetarian meal. Please note that nuts may be used in our kitchen.
- Retreat Meal Dana: In keeping with tradition, we invite you to sponsor a retreat meal as a simple and meaningful act of generosity. You can share a dedication of your generosity, perhaps to someone in your life, a special occasion, or an aspiration. Please contact the office for more information on offering Meal Dana for this retreat.
- The meditation halls do not allow food and beverages, including water.
- We strongly recommend you dress in layers since the temperature in the meditation hall varies throughout the day. The hall thermostat is set to a comfortable temperature range; however, it’s best to have a range of clothing options, as individual preferences for warmth or coolness differ widely and cannot be accommodated.
- Masks are optional. Some masks are available at the entrance of the Center.
- CIMC provides zafus (round cushions), zabutons (large mats), meditation benches, blankets, and chairs. At the end of the program, we request that participants brush off their zabutons and plump up their zafus. All other items should be returned neatly to where they belong.