The New Year
Just as I complete the first, full inhale of the New Year—it is February. I sat with Shinzen on his year-end retreat for the first time in many years. He talked a lot about math, so I thought I would use his advanced mathematics platform to offer some basic arithmetic on why the older we get the faster everything seems to be going. (Or maybe it is just the nature of downhill?) Before you are born, the full potential of your life and all the possibilities are available to you to choose. On the first day of your life, you live a hundred per cent of it; on the second, fifty per cent; on the third, thirty-three and a third; and so it goes, if you are lucky, until you are where I am, each day representing a mere .004 per cent of the whole life. The whizzing fall from youth. Sigh!
I practiced Metta Mediation on Shinzen’s retreat the whole time and got so blissed out that I laughed (to myself) for three days on a joke that no one else even got after silence broke and I could finally let it burst. (Unfortunately, upon reflection and advice from trusted counsel, I am unable to tell you the joke here as it could damage my reputation, etc; and so far, is only funny to those of us on fifteen days of Metta practice. I will tell you the joke if you ask, one-on-one chagrin is easier for me to handle than at the group level.)
The first half of 2020 is jam packed with events from Mettagroup. Read on for more info and I hope to see you somewhere on the path.
Happy happy happy mad love love love!!!
George
Weekend Retreat!
Meditation x Attachment for Relationships
Friday, Feb. 28 - Sunday, March 1
at Los Angeles Athletic Club in DTLA
For the first time ever, we are offering a Meditation x Attachment for Relationships weekend retreat with the Los Angeles Athletic Club in DTLA. The retreat begins on Friday evening, February 28th with dinner at this beautiful, historic club, followed by an evening talk and meditation session. Then we'll practice all day Saturday (with the evening open to explore DTLA) and conclude Sunday morning. I will be teaching meditation strategies for emotional regulation and mentalizing; give a basic primer on Attachment Theory; and talk about the nature of collaborative relationships. For fans of Dan Brown’s work, I will introduce the Ideal Parent Figure protocol. The fee is $439 for the entire weekend ($389 for LAAC members) which includes meals (vegan options). You can commute or stay at LAAC (for an additional fee) which is also a wonderful hotel. The rooms are awesome if you need a little getaway. To see the full weekend itinerary click here.
To book get in touch with Teri Onorato at teri.onorato@laac.net or 213-630-5282.
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Meditation x Attachment Level One
Meditation x Attachment Level One is the introductory course offering instruction in: meditation strategies for developing mentalizing and repairing attachment disturbances; Attachment Theory; and an introduction to the Ideal Parent Figure protocol. Each intensive will be taught during three daylongs.
We're very excited to taking this show on the road again to Insight Santa Cruz and SF Dharma Collective starting in March, and then back home in Los Angeles in May. Read more and reserve your spot via the link below!
Read more and reserve your spot here.
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Calling all early birds! Get a jump on your summer 2020 plans by booking your spot now for our Summer Retreat at Seven Circles July 17-26. As previously announced the yurt has been fully renovated and insulated, so it's super comfortable and the weather should be perfect for taking a dip in the shamrock shaped pool!