Befriending Mortality: Practices for Living An Awakened Life Through Mindfulness of Death (Maraṇasati) (NM1Z23)

Please only register for one of the two formats: On-Land or Online.

Registration closes at 8:00 am (Pacific Time) on September 16, 2023. A waiting list will be created if the program fills early. A recording* will be available following the program.

Program to be held on the land and online!

Description:
Death is not exactly a typical dinner table topic in modern, dominant Western culture. We all “know” that we die, yet we tend to ignore it and put our collective heads in the sand. Rather than running away from our inevitable mortality, we can harness the power of this reflection to stay aligned with our deepest values and to live and love more fully. Through mindfulness of death (maraṇasati), we become more present for this miraculous, passing show called life with gladness and gratitude.

Fully embracing our life’s impermanence can give rise to a deep letting go and freedom, so that we can be fearlessly and peacefully prepared for our death as a potentially liberative moment. Considering the myriad spiritual benefits of maraṇasati, let us come together to explore this supreme practice, one on which the Buddha invited us to reflect daily for the sake of ourselves and others.

Sliding Scale: Our sliding scale options for this program include financial support for our teachers. Please consider paying at the highest rate that you can afford: your generosity supports teachers as well as Spirit Rock, staff, and your fellow practitioners.

On-Land Sliding Scale: (NM1D23)**
Benefactor – $310
Sustainer – $235
BASE – $140
Scholarship Rate – $70
**Volunteer/Work Exchange opportunities, which include full or partial Scholarships, may be available for the in-person program. For more information, please contact the Volunteer Coordinator at volunteering@spiritrock.org.

Online Sliding Scale: (NM1Z23)***
Benefactor – $200
Sustainer – $120
BASE – $95
Scholarship Rate – $45
***Online Program: All are welcome! No one will be turned away for lack of funds as space allows. For more information, please email Registration@spiritrock.org.

*Important Notes:

Access to Recording

• A recording will be available for all participants (on-land & online) following the program in approximately 10 days. You will have ~90 days from the original program date to view the recording.

On-Land Attendees

• The on-land program will take place in the Community Meditation Center (CMC) in the Great Hall.
• Bring a lunch and a water bottle. Lunch is not provided.
• This is NOT a residential retreat. Overnight accommodations are not provided.

COVID Safety Protocols for CMC Programs

• Vaccination + Booster (effective June 5, 2023): Not required; vaccination + booster (at least 1) strongly encouraged.
• Proof of Negative COVID Test (effective June 5, 2023): Not required; same-day COVID testing strongly encouraged.
• Masking: Optional, not required (since January 2023). If choosing to mask, masking type is your personal choice. Be sure to bring your own mask with you.
• PLEASE READ – Details on our current COVID-19 Safety Protocols for in-person Programs.

Cancellation Policy for On-Land Day Programs:

• NO REFUNDS.
• Open Credit or Donation to Spirit Rock = cancel 2 or more business days prior to program (Pacific Time)
• No Open Credit = cancel less than 2 business days prior

Continuing Education (CE) credit available:
This program offers 6 CE credits for $60 for psychologists, and California licensed MFTs, LCSWs, LEPs, LPCCs, nurses, and chiropractors. Please review our Continuing Education Credit information page to determine if your association or board will accept credits offered by Spirit Rock.***

Teachings are appropriate for health care professionals as well as the general public. Health care providers play a crucial role in supporting patients through the process of illness, end-of-life care, and death. Through their own practice of befriending mortality in this workshop, healthcare providers can be more empowered to acknowledge and discuss the topic of death with their patients, helping them align their lives with their values, live more fully, and prepare fearlessly for the end, ultimately providing holistic care.

Learning Objectives for participating health care professionals-
At the end of the program you will better able to:

• Describe the benefits of reflecting on death, in ways that may be used with clients;
• Describe one avoidant behavior in response to mortality according to Terror Management Theory;
• Describe a mindfulness of death meditation practice, in ways that may be used with clients;
• Write your own obituary to gain perspective, in ways that may be used and shared with clients.

Continuing Education content level: Introductory

***Please note:

• For full Provider information, and additional CEC information, including attendance requirements, cancellation, and grievance policies, please visit our Continuing Education Credit information page.
• For those with a different license than listed above, or with a license from a different board or association than listed on our CEC info page, please contact your licensing board or association directly to request pre-approval/acceptance of CE credits offered at Spirit Rock. Spirit Rock does not confirm applicability of credit for those with licenses different than those listed.
• Spirit Rock is a provider approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing, Provider Number CEP16905 for 6 contact hours.
• Credit is awarded for instructional time only and does not include extended silent meditation, if offered.