Awakening Joy (268R21)

Registration open until end of day (Pacific Time) on June 6, 2021.  A waiting list will be created if the program fills early. 

Awakening Joy: Opening to Your Natural State of Well-Being

Description:
“It is that gladness connected with the wholesome that I call an equipment of mind…for developing a mind that is without hostility and without ill will.” ~The Buddha

The Buddha was known as “The Happy One.” However, the teachings often seem to emphasize working with suffering. Joy and happiness can seem frivolous or unspiritual even though joy is one of the Seven Factors of Awakening. In this retreat we will practice with an emphasis on cultivating wholesome states to develop our natural capacity for well-being and happiness. Our own development of well-being and joy then becomes our gift to a troubled world.

The retreat includes silent sitting and walking periods with instructions and practice meetings with teachers, as well as some experiential exercises during the six days. This retreat is appropriate for both experienced as well as new/beginning students.

Practices will include:

• Inclining the mind toward wholesome states;
• The power of wholesome intention;
• Mindfulness as appreciation practice (wonder and gratitude);
• Embracing suffering as a path to joy;
• How letting go leads to true freedom;
• Integrity as a foundation for well-being;
• Metta (loving-kindness) for self and others;
• Mudita (sympathetic joy);
• Compassion—the expression of a wise heart; and
• The joy of simply being.

Opening Day – All times listed are US Pacific Time
2:00 p.m.    Tech Orientation (Optional)
3:00 p.m.    Welcome and Opening Session
5:30 p.m.    Meal Break
7:00 p.m.    Metta Practice
7:45 p.m. Personal Practice (self-guided)

Main Days
7:45 a.m.    Morning Guided Movement with Evelyn
8:20 a.m.   Break
8:30 a.m.   Sit/Stillness with instructions
9:30 a.m.   Walk/Movement Meditation
10:15 a.m.  Sit/Stilness Meditation
11:00 a.m.  Walk/Moving Meditation / Small Group
11:45 a.m.  Sit/Stillness
12:30 p.m.  Meal Break
2:30 p.m.   Sit/Stillness Meditation
3:00 p.m.   Afternoon Guided Movement practice with Evelyn
3:45 p.m.   Sit/Stillness Meditation / Affinity Sits
4:20 p.m.   Break
4:30 p.m.   Dharma talk
5:30 p.m.   Meal Break
7:00 p.m.   Metta Practice
7:45 p.m.   Walk/Moving Meditation (self-guided)
8:15 p.m.   Sit/Stillness Meditation (self-guided)

Closing Day
7:45 a.m.   Morning Guided Movement with Evelyn
8:20 a.m.   Break
8:30 a.m.   Closing Sessions
11:30 a.m.  Retreat Close

All are welcome! No one will be turned away for lack of funds as space allows. For more information, please email Registration@spiritrock.org.