Practice Support Group
Letting Go and Leaning In
There are two hidden intentions in our meditation practice that are necessary for long term success . One is the intention to let go. The Buddha described it as letting go of suffering and the causes of suffering. The other intention is to cultivate, encourage and strengthen our inherent positive qualities, such as the paramis of generosity, patience, compassion, and equanimity. The Buddha called this intention the deep and ongoing aim of cultivating happiness and the causes of happiness. For most of us, learning how to abide in and manifest these two intentions is the result of dedicated practice. It may take years of exploring our habitual patterns that keep us stuck to learn to let go and allow our goodness to flower. We learn, albeit slowly, that awakening is possible because to be awake is the potential of the mind itself. Just as the seed of a redwood tree appears small and unremarkable, it has within it the potential to grow into a mighty and majestic tree, the tallest in the world. So we would do well to heed the advice of Bhikkhu Bodhi: “Liberation is the fruit of the path and is bound to blossom forth when there is steady and persistent practice.” The potential is already within us.
In this 3 week class, we will look at some of the specific practices which strengthen letting go of suffering and growing in genuine well-being. What does it mean to free ourselves from suffering and the causes of suffering?
This class is suitable for anyone who has received and practiced basic instructions in mindfulness.
WHEN
3-week Class Series
Sundays, Feb 11, 18 and March 3
10:00-11:45am MST
Note: Arizona is the same as Mountain Standard Time
WHERE
On Zoom.
COST
2 week class: $75-$30
For those of you on a limited budget pay what you can. No one will be turned away.
REGISTRATION REQUIRED
Registration is required. Once you register you will receive a confirmation email within 24 hours. Please click below to register and make your donation.
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.
ABOUT THE TEACHER
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!