Mindfulness Day September 29

Mindfulness Day Gentle Effort Mindfulness Saturday September 29, 2018 9 am – 4 pm Suitable for beginners and experienced meditators who would like to cultivate beginner’s mind and have a day to practice Attending half day is an option. Please indicate AM or PM Place: Franciscan Spirituality Center Please do not call Franciscan Spirituality Center to register for this class Instructor: Vanee Songsiridej Fee: free will donation Registration: Mindfulnesslacrossewisconsin.offeringtree.com Please do not add www to this URL You do not have to sign in to register. You can go directly to the program and register for the classes you plan to attend.

Kevala Retreat (formerly Liberation Park) in La Crosse in August

La Crosse area Friends: Wednesday meditation & Dhamma inquiry  August 22nd at Wesley UMC

August 22nd -- Wesley UMC at King & 8th

(see important details below)

Following Kevala Retreat's first ever extended meditation retreat I continue to reflect on lessons learned by the 6 yogis, Jo Marie, and myself. One big impact was each meditator strengthening their ability to take a strong grounded "seat," which is physical, attitudinal, and mental. I would to pass along some of the skillful tricks (upaya) learned in this regard. 

Santikaro will lead a conversations on skillful means for preparing our meditations with a well-grounded "Dhamma seat." In addition to attention to posture, there are a number of ways that active engagement with breathing can clear the mind, settle restlessness, and more. Further, there are simple practices that help us have a supportive attitude to this adventure we emebark on every time we "sit."

Please come prepared to share experiences, contribute thoughts, and ask probing questions. What helps you most in starting meditations in "a good place"? We have the church's permission to meet on the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays of each month, plus 5th Wednesdays when they occur. August 29th is a 5th Wednesday.

For New Meditators!  Let us know in advance and Santikaro can arrange to meet at 6:00 pm to give basic meditation instructions. Follow up instruction can also be arranged. Just reply to this email.

These teachings fall within the framework of the noble eightfold path and middle way, which are guided by the four ennobling realities. In the original presentation, the path is aharmonious weaving of 8 strands of Rightness, Intelligence, and Skill that culminates in TrueKnowing and Liberation. We regularly ask how the path can ground and guide us midst the challenges, storms, and provocations swirling around us and inside us. What are the realities of being mindful, kind, responsive, undistracted, and imperturbable midst the sorrows and the joys of this life we are given each day?

Location information -- Important!  The church doors are usually locked. The evening's hosts will arrive early to set up and meet you at the door. Please use the 721 King Street entrance, where one of us will be waiting to greet you. Knock loudly if you don't see anyone. There will be plenty of parking on the street. The church also has parking space off of 8th St.  

Meditation starts at 6:30 pm. Please arrive 5-10 minutes before then. The "Lounge" where we will be meeting has many chairs. If you prefer to sit on the floor, please bring your own mat and cushion. In winter, bring a blankie.

Dāna (donations, gifts, free-will offerings) to sustain Liberation Park and support our work are most welcome. Santikaro and Liberation Park depend on donations as sole means of support. Liberation Park in turn makes donations to Wesley UMC for kindly hosting us. 

A sampler of Santikaro's talks from La Crosse and elsewhere are posted at http://liberationpark.org/audio/index.htm

Next sessions:  August 22nd, and perhaps 29th. September 12 and 26. 

Kevala Retreat

 Liberation Park is now......

Kevala Retreat

As part of the maturing process of the last years, we have been feeling the need for a change of name. The word Kevala has come to have special meaning for us and now officially graces the name of valley and retreat. If you'd like to know more about the choice of name please click here.  A new website is in process (long overdue) and we'll let you know when it is fully functional. Both liberationpark.org and kevalaretreat.org will take you to our website.

Please come for retreat!
Visit this page to learn more about retreating in the valley. It's always a good time to renew or deepen your practice and we hope you find time to join us at Kevala.

The Solar Array is scheduled to begin installation next week, weather permitting! Thank You to everyone who has contributed to the effort. We are deeply appreciative. We are working with RENEW Wisconsin to create educational materials and a party will be scheduled for early September to celebrate the installation. We hope to see you there.

March 4 It's Up to You

Frank and I are planning to host the monthly meditation group on March 4th from 10:30 - 12:00.

We will continue our reading together of It's Up To You, focusing on chapters 12 and 13. We will read them together so no need to read them ahead if you don't have the book.

Please let me know if you plan to come and if you prefer a cushion or a chair.

If you are new to the monthly meditation group, I can send you more information, please let me know.

Best - Sharon

563-794-1244

March beginner mindfulness at Franciscan Spirituality Center

Mindfulness Practice for beginners

Four weeks of Mindfulness practice suitable for beginners and experienced meditators who would like to cultivate beginner’s mind.

Four weekly meetings in March on Wednesday evenings 6-8 pm March 7, 14, 21 and 28

Place: Franciscan Spirituality Center

Please do not call Franciscan Spirituality Center to register for this class

Instructor: Vanee Songsiridej

Requirement: attend at least 3 out 4 sessions

Preference: attend all four sessions

Fee: free will donation

Registration: www.mindfulnesslacrossewisconsin.offeringtree.com 

You do not have to sign in to register. You can go directly to the program and register for the classes you plan to attend.

January meditation - Dzigar Kongtrul Rinpoche group

I hope you are all having an enjoyable holiday season. Frank and I are planning to host the next monthly meditation gathering at our house on January 7th from 10:30 - noon.

We will read and discuss the next 2 chapter in It's UP To You; Chapters 10 & 11.

Please let me know if you are planning to attend and if you prefer a cushion or a chair.

Happy New Year!

Sharon

563-794-1244

Liberation Park Meditation in January - 3, 17, 31

La Crosse area Friends: Wednesday meditation & Dhamma inquiry

January 2018 at Wesley UMC

January 3rd -- Wesley UMC at King & 8th (see important details below)

We begin our 2018 encounters together on Wednesday, January 3, with the "law of nature," idappaccayata (conditionality). Everything depends. All happening are related to other happenings. First a talk by Ajahn Buddhadasa on this fundamental insight at the heart of Buddha-Dhamma.

Then a couple sessions with Santikaro relating practice with the dependent co-arising of dukkha, distress, and suffering. As always, there will be silent meditation and inquiring conversation connected with these themes this Wednesday.

What are the implications of the radicalness that everything depends? 

Please reflect on significant examples from your own life of how everything that happens is connected with lots of other happenings. In each case what are the significant co-happenings? 

On the other hand, all endings come about with other related things ending --
can you find examples of that in your personal experience?    

For New Meditators!  Let us know in advance and Santikaro can arrange to meet at 6:00 pm to give basic meditation instructions. Follow up instruction can also be arranged. Just reply to this email.

These teachings fall within the framework of the noble eightfold path and middle way. We regularly ask how the path can ground and guide us midst the challenges, storms, and provocations swirling around us and inside us. What are the realities of being mindful, kind, responsive, undistracted, and imperturbable midst the sorrows and the joys of this life we are given each day?

In the original presentation, the path is a harmonious weaving of 8 strands of Rightness, Intelligence, and Skill that culminates in True-Right Knowing and Liberation.
Location information -- Important!  The church doors are usually locked. The evening's hosts will arrive early to set up and meet you at the door. Please use the 721 King Street entrance, where one of us will be waiting to greet you. Knock loudly if you don't see anyone. There will be plenty of parking on the street. The church also has parking space off of 8th St. 

Meditation starts at 6:30 pm. Please arrive 5-10 minutes before then. The "Lounge" where we will be meeting has many chairs. If you prefer to sit on the floor, please bring your own mat and cushion. In winter, bring a blankie.

Dāna (donations, gifts, free-will offerings) to sustain Liberation Park and support our work are most welcome. Santikaro and Liberation Park depend on donations as sole means of support. Liberation Park in turn makes donations to Wesley UMC for kindly hosting us.

A sampler of Santikaro's talks from La Crosse and elsewhere are posted at http://liberationpark.org/audio/index.htm

Next sessions:  17th and 31st