Online: The Seven Factors of Awakening
with Elaine Retholtz
Mondays, April 17th, 24th, May 1st, May 15th, 22nd, June 5th, 12th, 2023 | 9:30am – 11:30am ET
Join us for the next course in this online series exploring how to cultivate mindfulness through cultivating the Seven Factors of Awakening – these wholesome qualities that help us remember and connect to the simple joys of non-clinging.
•This summer, we will explore the practice of cultivating lovingkindness and the other “divine abodes” of compassion, joy, and equanimity.
•In the fall, we will look more closely at what the Buddha called the “Three Characteristics” of all experience – Dukkha (variously translated as unsatisfactoriness, suffering, or vulnerability), Impermanence, and the not-self characteristic.
Here is an opportunity to develop connections with other practitioners as we explore together in a non-conceptual way various aspects of practice on and off the cushion. Think of this as a learning laboratory, and what we are “studying” is our own hearts, minds, and bodies.
In our culture, there can be a tendency to dwell on the negative – what we need to get rid of. Our lives and meditation practice can become an endless to do list and self improvement project.
However, just as in gardening, there is a balance between creating an inhospitable environment for weeds and encouraging the growth of flowers or vegetables, in our meditation practice there is an integral relationship between letting go of unwholesome states of mind and cultivating the wholesome. We will explore how to cultivate mindfulness, investigation, energy, joy, tranquility, concentration, and equanimity.
Each class will include practice, instruction, talks, and group dialogue and inquiry. There will also be ongoing practice assignments each week.
Registration:
Please register at the highest level that your generosity offers.
Explanations of levels follow below.
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Please contact registration@nyimc.org if you need assistance.
Registration Fees include Teacher Support
New York Insight Meditation Center has streamlined the registration fee levels. Members of our Circle of Friends are eligible to receive 20% off of the Sustaining Rate via a code provided in the email confirming membership, which you can enter after clicking the Sustaining Level registration.
*Benefactor Level: Supports NYI’s ability to offer the Subsidized Base.
**Sustaining Level: This level reflects the actual costs to support this program. Circle of Friends members eligible for 20% discount with code. Click here to join.
***Subsidized Base: Made possible by the generosity of Benefactor Level above and other donations to ensure participation by those requiring financial assistance.
If you have questions about your registration (cancellation policy, membership discount, email confirmation, etc.), please read our FAQs. If your question is not addressed in the FAQs, please email registration@nyimc.org.
If you are unable to pay the Subsidized Base Fee, you can learn about volunteering to offer work exchange and letting us know how much you are able to pay for this program by emailing registration@nyimc.org.
Please note that New York Insight records online programs. The recorded content may be discoverable should a legal matter arise.
By registering, I give New York Insight permission to use my text/video/audio for educational or other purposes for the duration of New York Insight activities going forward.
If you have any questions, please contact registration@nyimc.org.
Teacher(s)
Elaine Retholtz
Elaine Retholtz has been studying and practicing the Dharma since 1988. In addition to teaching Dharma at New York Insight, she is a certified Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction teacher and has a deep interest in helping students integrate mindfulness practice into daily life. Elaine is committed to deepening her own understanding of issues of diversity and the way racial conditioning in the United States affects all of us — both as individuals and in relationship to the institutions we are a part of, including New York Insight. She’s been involved in New York Insight’s diversity efforts for many years, serving on the diversity committee, and working with others to create spaces – for diverse groups of practitioners as well as for white practitioners meeting separately – to explore these issues within a Dharma frame.