When we lose the sense that our actions matter – in relation to another person, our bodies, our institutions, the planet, etc. – we can suffer. We may feel frustrated, angry, helpless, defeated, and experience a lack of inner resilience and joy. But the Buddha, and the mindful arts he taught, reminded us that we have inner levels of strength and openness that greatly help the quality of our living. One thing he taught is that we can learn to be more present in whatever we do and taste the nourishment and subtle joy that comes from living deeply in the moment. Another is that we can change how we think about ourselves and others, replacing negative thoughts with more loving, useful, and empowering ones. Finally, we can learn to move from an inner state of reactivity to one of more responsiveness and resilience.
In this retreat we will work with mindfulness practices, supported by loving kindness, to cultivate these skills. With practice, they may become more habitual, artful ways of being, giving us a deep inner resilience, and even joy, in the face of the many circumstances we simply cannot control in our lives. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced meditator, you are welcome to attend this program, which will include instruction, periods of sitting and walking meditation, and time for discussion.
Matthew Daniell is the guiding teacher of NSIMC. He has been practicing Buddhist meditation since the 1980s, including over a decade in Asia, where he practiced Zen intensively in Japan, Tibetan Buddhism in India, and Insight meditation in Burma, India, and Thailand. Read more at Matthew’s teacher page.
The fee for this program is $40 for members and $50 for nonmembers (become a member here). To register and pay online, click below; if paying by cash or check, send an email to northshoreimc@gmail.com.