Mindfulness of the Body: A Day of Insight Meditation with Chas DiCapua

9am to 5pm, Saturday, March 30, 2013

In the McFarlin Chapel at First Parish Unitarian Universalist Church, 2 Westford Street, Chelmsford

Mindfulness of the Body plays an integral role in supporting the development of the Eightfold Path. In the formal practice, through connecting to the sensations of breath and body, the attention gets trained to be present and steady. Through this presence and steadiness of mind, we are able to look at our changing experience and notice what our relationship to it is. We see what brings happiness and what brings unhappiness.

 In our daily life practice, Mindfulness of the Body is indispensible in helping us to not get swept away by the fast pace of life. Literally like throwing an anchor out in a storm, the density of the body allows our awareness to connect with it quite easily and serves as a tether to the present moment.

In this day long retreat we will practice sitting and walking meditation as well as speaking meditation, so as to see that Mindfulness of the Body can be a seamless way to develop awareness of the present moment in both formal and daily life practice.

Chas DiCapua has been practicing mindfulness and Buddhist meditation, primarily in the Theravada school, for over 20 years.  He has trained with Burmese meditation masters, western monastics of the Thai Forest tradition and senior western Vipassana teachers. In 2003 Chas was invited to be the Resident Teacher at the Insight Meditation Society where he continues to serve in that role.  He is interested in how the basic material of our everyday lives, including relationships, can be used as a vehicle for awakening. Chas teaches retreats at IMS, at various centers and sanghas throughout the country, and offers Spiritual Counseling for individuals.

This event is appropriate for both beginners and experienced meditators alike. Participants should bring their own lunch and meditation cushions or benches as desired; chairs will be available. The workshop will take place in the Chapel from 9am to 5pm, followed by an informal tea and discussion.

The workshop is freely offered, however donations to support the teacher and church are welcome.

To RSVP or for more information please contact Tim Little: grommit_2000@yahoo.com

Right Speech or, How to Speak or Comment on FB without Offending People (even those you disagree with)

In Buddhism, there is a term for speaking “well” – “right speech.” You could say that this is a guideline or a step toward enlightenment – you could also say that this is a way to limit your own and others’ suffering, and encourage your own practice of not harming any person (including yourself).  I think this is a worthy practice for anyone seeking to better themselves and their lives and relationships, regardless of spiritual / religious preference (if any).

June Mini-Retreat: A Day of Mindfulness and Compassion

9:30am to 4:00pm, Saturday, June 9, 2012

In the McFarlin Chapel at First Parish Unitarian Universalist Church, 2 Westford Street,Chelmsford

We are very pleased to offer this opportunity to those who would like additional time to explore their meditation practice. Previous experience with mindfulness and/or lovingkindness meditation is recommended.

Participants should bring their own lunch and meditation cushions or benches as desired; chairs will be available. The retreat will take place in the Chapel from 9:30am to 4pm, followed by tea and informal discussion.  There is no charge, however donations for the church are welcome.

In consideration of the other participants, please arrive promptly and RSVP before June 7. 

(The retreat schedule is posted below.)

    

 

SCHEDULE

 

—————————————————————————

 9:30                 Welcome (housekeeping and introduction)

 —————————————————————————

 9:45                 Introduction to lovingkindness

 10:00               Sit

 10:30               Walk

 —————————————————————————

 11:00               Introduction to mindfulness

 11:15               Sit

 11:45               Walk

 —————————————————————————

 12:15               Check-in and Q&A followed by a “mindful lunch”

 —————————————————————————

 1:15                 Mindfulness (continued)

 1:30                 Sit

 2:00                 Walk

 —————————————————————————

 2:30                 Lovingkindness (continued)

 2:45                 Sit

 3:15                 Walk

 —————————————————————————

 3:45                 Dedication and closing

 4:00                 Tea and informal discussion

 —————————————————————————

 

We’re in the news!

 

The Unconditioned: Love, Happiness, and Freedom

A somewhat belated 5^th anniversary Dhamma musing, offered out of gratitude for my teachers and the Tuesday evening sangha:

It was a Saturday morning in February, and Sharon Salzberg had arrived at the Cambridge Insight Meditation Center to offer a benefit workshop on the theme of her latest book, Real Happiness. I sat among the overflow audience in the basement, listening with my eyes closed while her jovial voice was broadcast from the main hall upstairs.

As Sharon spoke, my mind became enthralled by the words “real” and “happiness.” My attention digressed from the sound. A thought arose: “So, what is real happiness anyway?” A moment later, another thought: “Ah, unconditioned happiness; of course!” Next: “What does that mean?”

Buddhists refer to this sort of mental proliferation as papanca. Like a runaway train papanca can be a potent force, and this particular train of thought had considerable momentum. Although I soon returned from my sojourn, my curiosity was piqued.

Now revisiting the questions that came to mind that midwinter day, what does it mean to say that something is unconditioned or unconditional? We commonly speak of “unconditional love,” of course, but perhaps with only a vague notion of what we’re talking about. And if we may speak of unconditional love and unconditional happiness, what about unconditional freedom, the ultimate promise of the Buddha’s path?

How the Dharma Helps Me Deal with Dharma (cross-post)

Cross-posted at MettaPanda’s Ramblings.

I am often asked or complimented on how I get through all that I’ve gone through – the progression of the CF, the transplant, the immediate recovery, and the still-ongoing long-term maintenance of these new lungs. My spirituality has been life-saving, particularly my Buddhist practice and learning. I’d like to share with you how that’s happened, how the Dharma (the teachings of the Buddha) have helped me to deal with dharma (the way life is).

From the Archives: What is Enlightenment?

The following was originally posted on Gather.com in October 2006.

Last night in our vipassana meditation group one of my fellow students, Brenda, posed a question to our teacher regarding the Big E: Enlightenment. She asked: “What exactly does it mean to be enlightened?” For all we hear about “enlightenment” and “awakening” in Buddhist teachings, it doesn’t seem to be a common topic of discussion.

It turns out that Brenda’s questions had been stirred up by a question raised by one of her friends about why we practice meditation. Do we meditate for stress reduction? Well, not really…. Why, then, do we practice? Is the “goal” to be enlightened or awakened? Well, maybe…. If so, what does that mean?