Tuesday evenings, 7-8:30 pm
September 17 - November 5
Online through Zoom
Suggested donation: $100 (Scholarships available)
Minds and hearts harden as we armor ourselves with views and opinions, defend ourselves emotionally from life's pain, attempt to control our experience, and feel separate from others. This course explores the path of softening amid our experience and the strength and wisdom found there. It brings softening into the practice of meditation to discover ease and openness of being. Each class includes 30 minutes of guided meditation followed by teaching and dialogue. Students will gain the most who do a daily practice of meditation during the course.
September 17, 2024
Dharma Talk - Mark discusses the power of the word softening and techniques for softening in the body.
Discussion - the power of walking meditation.
September 24, 2024
Dharma Talk - How deeply can we take in the living energy of our bodies? Can we feel the "livingness" of ourselves? Focusing attention this way is a form of softening.
Discussion - Participants share their experiences softening in the body as well as softening as an attitude. Mark leads a meditative exercise focusing on the hands.
October 1, 2024
Dharma Talk - Mark discusses softening the boundaries of the body and of consciousness.
Discussion - Participants share their experiences of softening to life situations.
October 8, 2024
Dharma Talk - Mark discusses the value of tuning in to our bodies in a mindful way and softening as we go through our daily activities.
Discussion - Tips for regular meditation practice, having mercy for the human condition, touching stillness that lives at the heart of experience.
October 15, 2024
Dharma Talk - Mark discusses the art of softening the mind and how to use curiosity to create spaciousness in our thoughts.
Discussion - Participants discuss how to soften in situations where there is a political divide.
October 22, 2024
Dharma Talk - Mark discusses softening to the human experiences of birth, death, and human connectedness.
Discussion - Participants discuss applying the dharma to the complex feelings surrounding election night.
October 29, 2024
Dharma Talk - Mark discusses softening to death and dying.
Discussion - Mark defines Karma, and the concept of "all is well here".
November 5, 2024
Dharma Talk and Loving Kindness Meditation - Stay present and soften to your feelings and emotions.