Listening to Life

Sept 8, 15, 29 and Oct 6

led by Anna Douglas,
Dharma Teacher Emeritus

In these turbulent times, where do we find peace? The poet Wordsworth wrote, “the world is too much with us.” Hearing those words seems to fit our current experience - we are bombarded with news of multiple crises and unending brutal wars on every continent. We are subject to a 24/7 news and social media cycle that grinds out sensational misinformation, inflating our feelings of danger and fear. In response, we tighten our jaw and hold our breath and march bravely on , hoping for the best. But we rarely stop to process and absorb all the dispiriting news.

There is simply too much of it – “The world is indeed too much with us,” When that happens we lose our ability to stay present. We look instead for something which will distract or comfort us. What meditation provides is a way to gently regain a more peaceful perspective. We don’t need a new opinion about what is happening, but instead a more expansive way of seeing and being with what is happening.

A particular technique of meditation that opens a more expansive view is listening. Listening is receptive, open, allowing, naturally relaxing, without an agenda. This is the focus of this 4 class series. The intention is to learn the art of listening to every kind of experience we might have, as well as to dharma themes such as impermanence, selfing, kindness, grief, suffering and etc. Listening well shows us many things, including how to find the space of peaceful abiding between our perceptions and difficult experiences. This more peaceful abiding is a key to navigating our difficulties. We will explore the many ways we can listen deeply, forging new pathways of peace and freedom. Please join us!

This class is suitable for anyone who has received and practiced basic instructions in mindfulness.

WHEN

Sundays, Sept 8, 15, 29 and Oct 6
10:00-11:45am PDT
Note: Arizona is the same as Pacific Daylight Time (California)

WHERE

This class will take place via Zoom, an online meeting platform. 

COST

4 class series: $100-$25
For those of you on a limited budget pay what you can. No one will be turned away.

Right now I invite you

to begin the practice of listening wherever you are. Bring your attention to “hearing” and imagine gently opening your ears to receive whatever sounds come your way. Let each sound be known whether it be loud or soft, close by or far away. Experience its fleeting and transient nature, sounds coming and going. We remain open, relaxed, and present. There is nothing to do, only sounds to be known.

Sit every day and the teachings come alive!  

The Practice Support Group is designed to help you establish a consistent and nourishing daily practice.   Whether you sit 10, 20, 30 or 40 or 50 minutes daily this class will help you to find a length and frequency that works for you. When questions or challenges arise there is the opportunity to explore them in the weekly group.  

Participating in a Dharma group is one of the most supportive things we can do to help our meditation practice grow.  

Anna Douglas, PhD., is the founder of Insight Meditation Tucson, and one of the founding teachers of Spirit Rock Meditation Center.  In 1986 she was one of five Dharma students invited to train in Jack Kornfield's groundbreaking program of practice and study for new teachers.  Although Anna's background is in psychology and the arts, she has had the good fortune as well as the deep aspiration to be able to do many long retreats in the vipassana/insight tradition.  For many years her focus in teaching was to guide people in long retreats.  She also created and taught mindfulness retreats for yoga practitioners and teachers,  and for 15 years taught an annual creativity retreat using painting and writing as the mediums of exploration.   In more recent years Anna's teaching has included classes and retreats on aging and dying. She is grateful for the many wonderful opportunities for practice and for teaching she continues to enjoy.  This includes offering spiritual guidance to those for whom the Dharma is an ongoing wellspring of spiritual nourishment and inspiration.  Anna is available for individual mentoring/guidance in the practice of insight meditation.    Even as old age and various forms of decrepitude advance, her deepest wish is that the blessings of Dharma continue to be felt and shared for the benefit of all!