A Year Long Program
(Registration Closed)
A Year to Live: How to Live this Year as if It Were Your Last
ONLINE
Fourth Sunday of the Month
10:00am-1:00pm MST
led by
Dharma Teacher Emeritus,
Anna Douglas
This popular program is based on the book by beloved teacher Stephen Levine. It is an invitation to meet online in a class format once a month for 12 months to explore the matters that matter the most when we realize our time on Earth is limited. Each monthly class meets for 3 hours and is organized around a theme – from welcoming our current experiences of illness or disability, aging, or death; to reflecting on impermanence and emptiness; to writing a life review; to revisiting our life purpose; to opening to the unexpected events which will occur throughout the year; to preparing for death in its both practical and spiritual dimensions.
Throughout the course, the emphasis will be on the transformative power of Dharma teachings to lead us from concepts about life to the non-conceptual knowing which feeds Awakening. Paradoxically, we may discover that contemplating our mortality puts us in touch with our best and truest self. We may resonate with the words of Martin Luther King, “You can’t choose when you will die or how you will die, but you can choose what you give your life to.” In the limited time we have, what do we choose to give our lives to?
This year long program is a bold experiment in living with an awareness of mortality - whether our own or others. Hardly anyone would undertake such a journey all by themselves. But with the support of a seasoned guide and a community of one’s peers, we will receive the encouragement to pursue our deepest aspirations, and discover the joy of “walking each other home.”
Please join us for an unforgettable and life-changing year!
The program will include:
A monthly class on zoom
A small group meeting in person between monthly classes (optional)
A rich assortment of both silent and interactive exercises to help you deepen your practice in a safe relational space.
Access to curated readings and dharma talks, special events, and occasional guest teachers.
This online program is open to anyone with a sincere interest in deepening their capacity to meet aging, illness, disability, and dying with wisdom and compassion. Some familiarity with the practice of mindfulness is recommended but not required. All ages welcome! You might also consider sharing the program with a family member or friend.
WHEN
Fourth Sunday of the month with the exception of April. The dates for the class meetings are:
January 28, February 25, March 24, April 21, May 26, June 23, July 28, August 25, September 22, October 27, November 24, December 22.
10:00am-1:00pm Time MST
Note: Arizona is currently Mountain Standard Time. During Daylight Savings Time, Mar 10-Nov 3, Arizona is the same as Pacific Daylight Time.
WHERE
This class will take place via Zoom, an online meeting platform.
SLIDING SCALE DANA
Sliding scale is rooted in the practice of Dana or Generosity: The teachings are given freely, without expectation. In return, we choose to give according to our means. The fee you choose to pay covers the entire year of teachings from Anna as well as administrative fees to IMT. Payment plans are available. Your payment or commitment to pay is due by the 2nd class, Feb. 25.
Sliding Scale Dana: $800 - $240 (No one will be turned away for lack of funds.)
CONTACT
For any questions contact Terry by email at insightmeditationtucson@gmail.com or leave a voice message at 520-477-1897.
REGISTRATION CLOSED
Registration is closed.
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!