Mindfulness Practice Community of Houston Fall Retreat 2022
November 4 - 6, 2022
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Cultivating a Truly Peaceful Heart
(Upeksha: the practice of equanimity and inclusiveness) You are invited to join us for our fall mindfulness retreat with Brother Michael Ciborski, Dharma teacher in the tradition of Thich Nhat Hanh. Friday evening, November 4th to Sunday afternoon, November 6th, 2022 Note: As of 11/03/22, registration has been closed. We hope to see you next year! |
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We are trying something new this year by offering a combination of in-person connection as well as online convenience. Please refer to the retreat schedule below for details.
RETREAT SCHEDULE
Friday Nov 4, 2022 (Virtual, for everyone)
RETREAT SCHEDULE
Friday Nov 4, 2022 (Virtual, for everyone)
- 7:00 – 9:00pm on Zoom
- 9:00 – 4:30pm at the American College of Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine, 9100 Park West Dr., Houston, 77063.
- Located in the Tai Chi Room.
- A vegetarian lunch will be provided. Masks are required.
- Note: There is also an option to attend virtually if preferred.
- 9:00 – 2:30pm on Zoom
Theme: Cultivating a Truly Peaceful Heart
(Upeksha: the practice of equanimity and inclusiveness)
Sometimes it seems that agitation, anxiety, frustration, and anger are right there under the surface, and with the slightest pressure we might just pop! Our relationships, our work, the situation around us in society are all burdens weighing upon us and we don’t know how much more we can take! We have grown disconnected from ourselves, from each other, from the wellspring of life itself.
Yet this moment of life has so many wonders to offer, and this retreat is an invitation to discover them. Our conscious breathing with gentle presence, a tender embrace, and a little understanding supports our resilient hearts to open and connect once again. We can learn to allow our eyes and ears to take in beauty and joy. We can look deeply to discover the continuation of ancestors within us, in our suffering and in our wisdom and compassion as well. We can lean a bit on the stability of friends in the practice, who support us in difficulty and celebrate our joy.
The Truly Peaceful Heart is not a place in us without fear or pain, but rather a capacity we learn to grow inside ourselves that embraces both the suffering and the happiness. A capacity that over time can help us do this with some measure of ease.
REGISTRATION OPTIONS
Option 1: Hybrid Weekend (Note 10/29/22: Hybrid registration is CLOSED due to reaching room capacity)
REGISTRATION DEADLINES
PERSONAL PRACTICE CONSULTATIONS
There will be an opportunity during the day on Thursday, prior to the start of the retreat, for a limited number of personal practice consultations with Michael (a twenty-minute private Zoom meeting). These consultations are an opportunity to ask a question about how to apply the practice to a particular situation in your life. They are not a time for personal connection with Michael, but rather a moment to receive reflection and support through the Dharma. These consultations are offered freely by Michael; however, you may wish to make an additional dana contribution.
Please check the box on the registration form if you would like to have one of these consultations. The number of consultations is limited, so please register early if you would like one.
DANA
Dana is the practice of cultivating generosity. For this retreat we invite you to act with generosity to support our teacher. For those of you who may be wondering about an appropriate amount, please consider what you give to other aspects of life which enrich you. Many of us are struggling during this time of continued great upheaval, so please consider what amount is possible given your situation. As a guide, we suggest $80 - $150, or more, as your finances allow.
RETREAT MATERIALS
Prior to the start of the retreat you will receive a retreat packet which will include:
DHARMA SHARING
Dharma discussions are a time to express ourselves in a small group to clarify our thinking and support each other in our efforts to put the teachings into practice. Speaking mindfully and listening deeply are important practices.
CONNECTING WITH US THROUGH ZOOM
A few days prior to the start of the retreat you will receive the Zoom link which will allow you to join all online sessions from Friday evening through Sunday afternoon.
Sometimes it seems that agitation, anxiety, frustration, and anger are right there under the surface, and with the slightest pressure we might just pop! Our relationships, our work, the situation around us in society are all burdens weighing upon us and we don’t know how much more we can take! We have grown disconnected from ourselves, from each other, from the wellspring of life itself.
Yet this moment of life has so many wonders to offer, and this retreat is an invitation to discover them. Our conscious breathing with gentle presence, a tender embrace, and a little understanding supports our resilient hearts to open and connect once again. We can learn to allow our eyes and ears to take in beauty and joy. We can look deeply to discover the continuation of ancestors within us, in our suffering and in our wisdom and compassion as well. We can lean a bit on the stability of friends in the practice, who support us in difficulty and celebrate our joy.
The Truly Peaceful Heart is not a place in us without fear or pain, but rather a capacity we learn to grow inside ourselves that embraces both the suffering and the happiness. A capacity that over time can help us do this with some measure of ease.
REGISTRATION OPTIONS
Option 1: Hybrid Weekend (Note 10/29/22: Hybrid registration is CLOSED due to reaching room capacity)
- Full hybrid weekend with in-person attendance on Sat. (includes lunch)
- $50 - $100 sliding scale per participant
- Full weekend, online only
- $35 - $100 sliding scale per participant
REGISTRATION DEADLINES
- Option 1: Hybrid weekend registrations are due by Oct. 31
- Option 2: Online only registrations are due by Nov. 2
PERSONAL PRACTICE CONSULTATIONS
There will be an opportunity during the day on Thursday, prior to the start of the retreat, for a limited number of personal practice consultations with Michael (a twenty-minute private Zoom meeting). These consultations are an opportunity to ask a question about how to apply the practice to a particular situation in your life. They are not a time for personal connection with Michael, but rather a moment to receive reflection and support through the Dharma. These consultations are offered freely by Michael; however, you may wish to make an additional dana contribution.
Please check the box on the registration form if you would like to have one of these consultations. The number of consultations is limited, so please register early if you would like one.
DANA
Dana is the practice of cultivating generosity. For this retreat we invite you to act with generosity to support our teacher. For those of you who may be wondering about an appropriate amount, please consider what you give to other aspects of life which enrich you. Many of us are struggling during this time of continued great upheaval, so please consider what amount is possible given your situation. As a guide, we suggest $80 - $150, or more, as your finances allow.
RETREAT MATERIALS
Prior to the start of the retreat you will receive a retreat packet which will include:
- Complete daily schedule of activities
- Guide to a mindfulness retreat
- Five Mindfulness Trainings
- Gathas (practice verses)
- Guidelines for Dharma sharing
- Offline practice suggestions
DHARMA SHARING
Dharma discussions are a time to express ourselves in a small group to clarify our thinking and support each other in our efforts to put the teachings into practice. Speaking mindfully and listening deeply are important practices.
CONNECTING WITH US THROUGH ZOOM
A few days prior to the start of the retreat you will receive the Zoom link which will allow you to join all online sessions from Friday evening through Sunday afternoon.
STEP 2: Complete online payment via PayPal
Please make a full registration payment via our PayPal account (below). You may also include an optional donation for our teacher.
