Description
These are tumultuous times. On a collective level, and perhaps on a personal level as well, life as we want it to be is routinely disrupted. In response, we may feel emotions that scare us, such as fear, anger, grief, loneliness, and self-doubt. Yet, we can learn how to safely turn towards these very emotions. Sitting with ourselves and not fleeing, we have the opportunity to discover our capacity to befriend and understand the true nature of emotions.
Fully feeling whatever arises exactly as it is, we can release our identification with our emotional atmosphere so that our emotions don’t have to dictate our actions. We are better able to understand the emotions of others in understanding our own.
Over the course of four weeks, we will engage the methods of shamatha vipassana (calm and insight) to develop inner balance in the midst of difficult emotions. We will practice turning problems into wisdom as we cultivate a more joyful and compassionate way to live. In this way we can contribute to love rather than hate, to clarity rather than delusion.
What better way to move through the difficulties than to be together in community and to explore ways of encountering painful emotions from a practice perspective? What better way to steady ourselves in the midst of things as they are.
This program is appropriate for both new and experienced meditators. Our time together will include sitting meditation with instructions, talks and time for discussion and questions. Everyone is welcome.
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.