Online: A Day of Silence & Sangha with Matthew Brensilver

9:30am – 4:30pm 

Saturday April 11^th 2020

 Retreat conducted on Zoom; Click on this link to participate: https://uclahs.zoom.us/j/5461996508

Please download the free, basic Zoom app before the start of the retreat.  

In practicing mindfulness, we cultivate a sense of refuge. The sense of refuge fosters the strength such that we can allow the world to rush into our heart. In the intensity of this historical moment, it can almost feel as if we’re obliged to suffer. While we have a duty to care for ourselves and the welfare of others, we recognize that our suffering does not serve anyone.  On this day, we come together to stabilize our mind and find rest amidst uncertainty. We sit together and let the silence run right through us. 

 The day will include sitting and walking meditation, guided practice, optional small group discussions with your peers, one-on-one practice discussions with Matthew, and a dharma talk. You are kindly asked to participate in the full day – or as much of the day as you are able. 

 Schedule: 

9:30 – 10:15                 Welcome, Practice Instructions & Sit 

 10:15 – 10:45               Walking meditation / Mindful Movement

 10:45 – 11:30               Sitting Meditation

 11:30 – 12:00               Walking meditation / Mindful Movement

 12:00 – 12:30               Sitting Meditation

 12:30 – 1:30                 Lunch

 1:30 – 2:00                   Lying Down Meditation 

 2:00 – 2:30                   Sitting Meditation 

 2:30 – 3:00                   Walking Meditation or Optional Small Group Discussion in break-out rooms

 3:00 – 3:30                   Sitting Meditation 

 3:30 – 3:45                   Stretch / Walk

 3:45 – 4:30                   Dharma Talk / Closing

Matthew Brensilver's Biography

A half-day overview of a chaplain's work of providing spiritual care and support for people in hospitals, hospices, prisons, and a wide variety of other settings. In recent years, Buddhist practitioners have been experiencing chaplaincy as a powerful opportunity to practice engaged Buddhism, and for some, as a profession. Information about the Sati Center's Buddhist Chaplaincy Training and the Institute for Buddhist Studies Chaplaincy Degree Program will be provided.

Samadhi and Vipassana are twocomplementary dimensions of the meditation practice. When they are cultivated,they support a deep sense of well-being through steadiness, composure andprofound clarity in the midst of everything. This day will include teachings related to these two dimensions.There will be periods of guided meditation sessions to engage in thesepractices, and Q&A. Bring lunch. 

Many Dharma practitioners value “wise speech,” but how is this kind of speaking actually done? Mindful speech includes a number of dimensions related to both the body and the mind. This daylong explores embodied speech combined with the mental qualities that the Buddha called clear comprehension. There will be teachings, experientialexercises, and silent sitting. It is recommended to attend the entire day.Bring lunch.

Kim Allen's Biography

In the introduction to the Satipatthana Sutta, the "Vipassana Anthem," it is stated that arousing, cultivating and strengthening these three qualities in relationship to mindfulness practices will lead to freedom from sorrow and lamentation, to the disappearance of suffering and discontent, and for the realization of Nibbana.  We will study these qualities of heart and mind with guided meditations, short dharma talks, and group discussions. Please bring a bag lunch.  

David Cohn's biography    Andrea Castillo's biography

Joinus as we spend the day exploring the power of tuning into our experiencewithout getting carried away by it.  Instead of unconsciously grabbinghold of pleasant experience or pushing away the difficult, when werecognize our immediate reactions it gives us the opportunityto respond with more clarity and wisdom. When werecognize the conditioned nature of our experience we can soften our reactivitywhich leads us to be more present, open and connected.   The daylong willincluded guided meditations, small group discussions and dharma talks. Bringlunch.