Teachers
Phillip Moffitt, Dana DePalma, Alex Haley, Ying Chen
Location
Online
Prerequisite
One weeklong (5+ nights) online or in-person Knowing Capacities (Nine Bodies) retreat or on-demand course, or one weeklong Naturally Arising Clarity retreat
Description
"We often think, speak, and act from motives that do not reflect our deepest intentions. But committing to purifying your motive — that is, learning to reconnect to your wise intention — brings a sense of well-being and ease into your life right now." — Phillip Moffitt (Dancing with Life, pp. 232–233)
As we spiritually mature, we come to see that many of our desires arise as a reaction to causes and conditions. Many are simply the ego's way of helping us survive and thrive in life. We begin to realize there is a more profound way to relate to life than simply pursuing these desires — and that we can reorient ourselves through purifying the motive from which our thoughts, words, and actions spring.
In this retreat, we will explore the challenges and opportunities inherent in this process as part of the Naturally Arising Practice Method. Purifying the motive can provide traction to get us “unstuck” where we may feel stuck and bring more depth and clarity into our practice. It preserves the integrity and ethical power of practice, preventing peak experiences or subtle states from becoming identity markers. It ensures that insights translate into freedom and wise, compassionate action in meeting the world, rather than self-centered advantage.
In this retreat, we’ll center various components of the practice method including the First Ground, the triad of healthy humility, innate dignity, and practicing practice with integrity, as best we are able, as well as the subtle knowing capacities.
This retreat is for practitioners already familiar with the Naturally Arising Practice Method, including each of the Knowing Capacities' (Nine Bodies) primary characteristics and how to access them. Practitioners should also be familiar with Insight Meditation, including how to work with the hindrances and how to direct and sustain attention. The practices and teachings offered on this retreat build from these foundations.
Model of Mutual Support
This program is offered in the Buddhist tradition of dāna, which means freely giving. For this retreat, donations to Dharma Ground and teachers are offered separately. The first donation opportunity is at the time of registration and goes to Dharma Ground, the nonprofit organization hosting this retreat. The suggested donation range for the hosting organization is $275 - $850. The second donation opportunity is at the end of the retreat and goes to the teachers. You are welcome to offer any amount you wish below or above this range. Finances need not be a barrier to participation. Any offering is gratefully accepted and is tax-deductible.
Schedule
Times listed in Pacific Time (PT). Please be able to attend all sessions listed in bold.
Friday, October 2 - Opening Day
4:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. Welcome and Opening Session
Saturday, October 3 – Thursday, October 8– Daily Schedule
5:30 a.m. Silent Meditation (Main Hall - Optional)
6:30 a.m. Personal Practice (Optional)
8:00 a.m. First Guided Meditation (Main Hall)
9:10 a.m. Walking/Movement Practice
9:45 a.m. Silent Meditation (Main Hall)
10:30 a.m. Walking/Movement Practice
11:00 a.m. Second Guided Meditation (Main Hall)
12:00 p.m. Meal Break (Main Hall Closed for 1 minute for recording processing)
12:30 p.m. Cohort Practice Meetings (for some groups) OR Walking/Movement Practice
2:00 p.m. Cohort Practice Meetings (for some groups) OR Walking/Movement Practice
3:00 p.m. Silent Meditation (Main Hall)
3:45 p.m. Walking/Movement Practice
4:15 p.m. Silent Meditation (Main Hall) + Affinity Groups - Alternating
4:50 p.m. Stretch break
5:00 p.m. Evening Teaching Session (Main Hall)
6:15 p.m. Continued personal practice (Optional) (Main Hall Closed for 1 minute for recording processing)
7:00 p.m. Candlelight Silent Meditation (Optional)
Friday, October 9 - Closing Day
6:00 a.m. Silent Meditation (Main Hall - Optional)
8:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. Guided Meditation and Closing