The Dharma of Illness & Liberation (LW1M21)

Registration open until 8:00 a.m. (Pacific Time) on April 14, 2021.  A waiting list will be created if the retreat fills early.

Description:
On this brief retreat, the teachers will share experience-based skills and the invitation to develop more compassion, balance, even peace with illness. When illness strikes, fears, worries, and overwhelm are often the inner aspects of suffering. The invitation is not to turn away, but bring gentle human presence to the reality, and see if this provides a refuge. A place to respond from.

Sometimes it’s really important to pull back, let go, take rest. Other times, intentional action is needed. Tuning into the varying needs, capacities, and limitations of ourselves and others is a constant learning process. Meditations on embodiment, compassion and listening can be very supportive.

During the retreat we will attend to each other, respecting as much as possible the differing abilities, needs, and beauty of each other. Retreat instructions will be adapted for a variety of access needs. Guided meditations, Dharma talks, and group discussions will be offered to support the exploration. Sessions are relatively short, and adaptations will be encouraged, like lying down to meditate. Optional recorded materials will be posted for use outside the daily sessions, including an access-centered movement practice by Jess Schlesinger, a yoga teacher skilled in working with a range of abilities.

All are warmly welcome: those who have been sick, those who care about another’s illness, those know illness impacts communities nearby and beyond our horizons, and those who tend to our health, knowing illness will happen for all beings anyway.

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