How we know things and how we respond to them is often based on reactivity, preconceptions, and a fixed agenda of trying to get what we want and get rid of what we don't. Although this is understandable in the competitive world in which we live, it can lead to isolation, fear, and a painful sense of not feeling connected in our lives. Traditional mindfulness techniques like body and breath awareness can help us to open our hearts when they feel contracted. In this retreat, we will start with these techniques, and then building on this foundation, we will expand our practice to embrace a wide-open approach to being present and heartful. This can help us embrace all of the aspects of what makes up our lives in any given moment, and live with more spaciousness, kindness, and ease.
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 about Matthew on his teacher page.
The fee for this program is $48 ($45 cash or check). To register and pay online, click below; if paying by cash or check, send an email to northshoreimc@gmail.com.