2019
North Shore Center for Mindfulness & Insight Meditation
Date: Wednesday, May 22
Time: 7:00-8:15pm
72 Grapevine Rd, Wenham, MA 01984
Drop-in class: no registration required
This event is offered in the tradition of dana (Pali for giving or generosity): while there is no set cost of attending, we invite you to consider making a donation to support the teacher and The Center for Mindfulness and Insight Meditation.
Embodied: Mindfulness Yoga & Meditation
Chris Crotty with David Schouela
May 25, 2018
2:00pm-5:30
Registration: Boston Meditation Center
Location: Arlington Center
Yoga and Buddhism share the same aim – the liberation of body, mind, and heart. Postures and breath practice support the body and mind for meditation, and mindfulness enables a more intentional, awareness-based yoga. This program is open to anyone interested in exploring the relationship between yoga asana (postures) and insight meditation. Together these mutually supportive practices foster self-awareness and insight into the conditions that underlie greater well-being and personal freedom.
This half-day retreat includes alternating periods of yoga postures and guided meditation based on the Four Foundations of mindfulness, and is aimed at helping students deepen concentration and investigate the true nature of mind and body. Yoga sessions will draw from yin, kripalu, and vini-yoga, and will be accessible to all-levels of practitioners, including beginners. Beginner and experienced meditators will both benefit.
David Schouela
David is a workshop facilitator and certified yoga teacher-trainer. He is passionate about helping individuals cultivate increased presence and resilience through the practices of yoga and mindfulness. David is on the teaching faculty for the trauma-sensitive yoga certificate program offered through the Trauma Center in Brookline, MA. In 2004, David cofounded True North Insight, a Canadian charitable organization offering a full schedule of Buddhist Insight meditation retreats and courses in English and French. David is a founding board member of Boston Meditation Center.
Date: Thursday, May 30
Time: 7:15-8:45pm
1120 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, MA
Weekly drop-in class: no registration required.
This event is offered in the tradition of dana (Pali for giving or generosity): while there is no set cost of attending, we invite you to consider making a donation to support the teacher and The Boston Meditation Center.
The Path of Peace & Freedom: Spring Insight Meditation Retreat
With Sayadaw U Inndaka, Chris Crotty, & May Myint Oo
June 6 – 13, 2019
Location: Insight Meditation Center Newburyport
Co-sponsored by Boston Meditation Center and Insight Meditation Center Newburyport.
Register through either organization: http://bostonmeditationcenter.org https://www.imcnewburyport.org
Retreat Description Insight meditation (vipassana) is the central Buddhist practice aimed at awakening. The Buddha taught that the cause of discontent and suffering can be understood, and this insight, or wisdom, is the natural foundation for greater peace, wellbeing, and freedom. Through the practice of insight meditation we calm and stabilize the mind, and then we investigate the mind’s true nature. We wake up to the truth of life, and we enjoy the freedom of our awakened mind.
On this retreat, Burmese meditation master Sayadaw U Inndaka and Chris Crotty will guide students in the development of insight through guided meditation, extended silence, individual interviews, and dharma talks. This is a unique opportunity to practice and learn with Sayadaw U Inndaka, and to rest your mind in the quiet natural surroundings of Insight Meditation Center Newburyport.
Sayadaw U Inndaka Born in 1952 in Upper Burma, Sayadaw U Inndaka was ordained in 1972 at the famous Mahagandhayon Monastery in Amarapura, Burma. Starting in 1976 he practiced vipassana meditation in the Mahasi Meditation Center in Mandalay; some years later he went to the Chanmyay Yeiktha Meditation Center in Yangon, where he was commissioned to teach meditation. In 1996 he became the abbot of the newly established Chanmyay Myaing Meditation Center on the outskirts of Yangon. In 2009 he established a second center in the northern town of Pyin Oo Lwin, not far from Mandalay. Sayadaw U Inndaka’s books on the practice of metta meditation and the factors of enlightenment have been translated into English and German. Sayadaw U Inndaka teaches Boston Meditation Center’s annual spring residential retreat
Freedom Simple & Profound: The Liberating Path of Insight Meditation
Understanding the Satipatthana Sutta as a Guide for Meditation Practice
Insight Meditation Center Newburyport
July 13, 2019
9:00-5:00pm (recommended)
9:00-12:30pm (half-day option)
In the Satipatthana Sutta the Buddha’s profound confidence is made clear: …this is the direct path…for the surmounting of sorrow…for the disappearance of dukkha…for the realization of nibbana. The sutta, outlining the four foundations of mindfulness, provide us with a simple map to explore and understand the true nature of our mind. All experience we learn, can be observed directly and understood through these four “great frames of reference:” body, feelings, mind, dharmas. This is the liberating path that leads to wisdom and freedom from distress. Using the Satipatthana Sutta as our guide, Chris will walk students step-by-step through the practice of mindfulness, or insight meditation, through silent periods of sitting and walking meditation.
Dharma reflections will be integrated throughout the day which will conclude with a question and answer discussion period. Students will leave with a clear understanding of the Satipatthana Sutta as a model for practice along with a handout covering the four foundations of mindfulness in detail to support further practice and study.
Half-day and full-day options are available (Full-day recommended). Those who attend the morning will receive instruction in the first two foundations, day-long participants will receive instruction in all four foundations.
Attachment and Non-Attachment: The Dharma of Relationship
with Chris Crotty, M.A. & Julia Barry, LMFT, SEP
Date: Aug 10
Registration: Boston Meditation Center
PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
One of the basic tenants of Buddhist practice is that attachment causes suffering. Western psychology promotes secure attachment in relationship as central to physical, emotional and psychological well being, health and happiness. How do we resolve this paradox? How do we resolve our need for deep connection in relationship alongside our wish for the deep happiness espoused by Buddhist teachings? How can meditation help us achieve greater ease, skill, and satisfaction in our relationships? In this program we will explore Buddhist teachings on impermanence and not-self, as well as attachment theory, which addresses how our early childhood relationships inform our adult views and behaviors. The format will include meditation instruction, Buddhist and western teachings on attachment, and relational mindfulness practices. We are all in relationship, whether it be intimate partnership, family, friendship or community – all are welcome and encouraged to attend this program! This program will serve as a foundation for future programs focusing on Buddhism, meditation, and relationship and is recommended for anyone who may want to further their practice and understanding in these disciplines.
Teachers Chris Crotty Julia Barry, LMFT, SEP
A Kind Way of Being: Mindfulness & Loving-Kindness Meditation
A day-retreat for both beginners and experienced students
Date: August 24
Time: 9:30-1:00pm
Location: First Parish Unitarian Universalist Church
2 Westford Street, Chelmsford, MA.
Registration info: https://kalyanamittasangha.wordpress.com/contact/
Program Description:
Mindfulness supports us in calming the mind and focusing our attention. Loving-kindness (metta) meditation systematically cultivates friendliness, benevolence and good-will. Loving-kindness is a natural foundation for happiness and well-being which is not reliant on external factors. In this half-day retreat, Buddhist teacher Chris Crotty will guide students in the practices of mindfulness and Loving-kindness through sitting and walking meditation, periods of silence, and instructional dharma reflections.
Both beginners and experienced welcomed and encouraged.
The Dharma Life: Exploring the Eightfold Path
Residential Meditation and Study Retreat
Sept 19-22
Boston Meditation Center
RETREAT DESCRIPTION
Following his awakening the Buddha taught a systematic and integrated path of practice, The Noble Eightfold Path. Organized into three areas of practice – meditation, wisdom, and integrity – this path provides a practical blueprint for a life that embodies our deepest potential as human beings. In this retreat we will explore the Buddha’s teachings as a living tradition–the intention being to explore the Eightfold path to discover its applicability to our whole life. As a meditation and study retreat, silent practice will be integrated with teacher led study periods focused on translating the teachings in a way that are personally and socially relevant, accessible, and meaningful to each students own authentic development of the Dharma.
All are welcome – open to beginners and experienced students. Enrollment will be limited to a small group – early registration strongly recommended.
Where to? The Joyful Truth of the Buddhist Path
An integrated practice and study day-long retreat with Chris Crotty
September 28, 2019
9:00-5:00pm
(This program offers opportunities for meditation and teacher-guided study of passages from the suttas of the Pali Canon-because program sessions are integrated we recommend attending the full day)
(This program offers opportunities for meditation and teacher-guided study of passages from the suttas of the Pali Canon-because program sessions are integrated we recommend attending the full day)
Program Description
Buddhist teachings and meditation help us live with greater presence and well-being in each moment, a skill to learn that leads to the greatest fulfillment, freedom from suffering. Along the path, while we increase our capacity to be present with life, we are also preparing for our final moment, the moment of death. Historically, the wisdom of the Buddhist tradition has sought to remind us of the truth of death, specifically because it rouses motivation to align our lives with our deepest potential. Awareness of death is also said to lead to joy.
In this unique practice and study retreat, periods of meditation will be integrated with teachings and dharma reflections that illuminate the relationship between living well and the inevitable truth of aging, sickness, and death. Select passages from the Pali Canon will be used to explore how meditation helps us prepare for the end of life, and how being aware of the inevitability of death helps us live with greater freedom and joy.
This program is open to beginners and ongoing students. All are welcome.
Touching the Earth: Insight & Loving-kindness Meditation Retreat
w/ Chris Crotty
assisted by Matt Owen
Nov 1-3, 2019 (2 nights)
Location: www.jesuitcenter.org
Registration: https://bldg7yoga.com/events/meditation-retreat/
For beginners and experienced students-all are welcome and encouraged.
Program Description:
2600 years ago the Buddha undertook a period of forest meditation during which he came to understand why humans suffer and how we can become free to enjoy life’s deepest happiness. With the earth as his witness, his confidence in his awakening resolute, he laid out a path of practice that has supported meditators for generations. In this retreat we turn to silence, community, and teacher guidance, while immersing ourselves in the natural world to practice the timeless teachings of the Buddha.
This retreat will offer instruction in insight (vipassana) and loving-kindness (metta) meditation, and will include alternating periods of sitting and walking. In insight meditation we relax the mind’s reactivity to establish calm and stability, and then we investigate the mind to better understand how to create the conditions for wisdom to grow. In loving-kindness meditation we intentionally cultivate the heart qualities of friendliness & benevolence. This retreat will include instructional talks (Dharma talks), individual interviews, and a discussion period focused on supporting students to integrate retreat experience into daily life. Optional yoga will be offered.
Guided Meditation, Dharma Talk, Question & Answer Period w/ Chris Crotty
World Wide Insight Sunday, Nov 10 2:00-3:30pm (eastern) 11:00am-12:30pm (pacific) Drop-in online class open to everyone. Log in from wherever you are!
2020
Calm, Still, Quiet: Winter Residential Retreat
w/ Chris Crotty
Assisted by Sarah Mitchell
January TBD
Registration options:
Residential: $300
Commuter: $200
Retreat location: Insight Meditation Center Newburyport
Registration: Boston Meditation Center (BMC)
In winter, the stars seem to have rekindled their fires, the moon achieves a fuller triumph, and the heavens wear a look of a more exalted simplicity. – John Burroughs
Winter is a natural time for turning inward, while retreat provides an opportunity to focus attention on your meditation practice and contemplate the Buddha’s teachings. In this second annual Winter Residential Retreat with Chris, the outer stillness of the natural world supports us in quieting our mind, and directly experiencing the calm and stillness of concentration. With a mind free from distraction, we use mindfulness (insight meditation) to investigate the path to peace taught by the Buddha and perfected during retreat practice for over 2500 years. Combining periods of sitting and walking meditation, with Dharma teachings, the Winter Residential Retreat is held in noble silence. This retreat is suitable for those who have not yet sat retreat, as well as ongoing practitioners who wish to further their practice–meditation instruction and dharma talks will accommodate all experience levels.
Calm, Still, Quiet: Winter day-long Retreat
w/ Chris Crotty
Assisted by Sarah Mitchell
January TBD
$90
Retreat location: Insight Meditation Center Newburyport
Registration: Boston Meditation Center (BMC)
In winter, the stars seem to have rekindled their fires, the moon achieves a fuller triumph, and the heavens wear a look of a more exalted simplicity. – John Burroughs
Winter is a natural time for turning inward, while retreat provides an opportunity to focus attention on your meditation practice and contemplate the Buddha’s teachings. In this second annual Winter retreat with Chris, the outer stillness of the natural world supports us in quieting our mind, and directly experiencing the calm and stillness of concentration. With a mind free from distraction, we use mindfulness (insight meditation) to investigate the path to peace taught by the Buddha and perfected during retreat practice for over 2500 years. Combining periods of sitting and walking meditation, with Dharma teachings, the Winter retreat is held in noble silence. This day-long retreat is comprised of the middle day of a three day residential retreat, and is suitable for those who have not yet sat retreat, as well as ongoing practitioners who wish to further their practice–meditation instruction and dharma talks will accommodate all experience levels.
A residential practice and study retreat with Chris at Barre Center for Buddhist Studies
April 2-5, 2020
Registration: Barre Center for Buddhist Studies
Course Description TBD: Please check back
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