with Fred Eppsteiner
“Non-fear is the greatest practice in Buddhism.
It is the greatest gift we can offer to those we love.” Thich Nhat Hanh
Although the Buddha taught that everyone will experience a degree of anxiety and fear when they resist the impermanence and unpredictability of life, sincere Dharma students, new and old, often continue to struggle with long-standing fear-based emotional responses. Although longing to be happy and enjoy ease and well-being, they continue to be driven by strong habit energies of worry, anxiety, fear, self-doubt and even dread in their daily life.
Why do we invest so much energy into avoiding and running away from our fears? Why, when fear arises, do we look away, act out, repress, avoid, smooth over, take a pill, go to the mall, or read another book on Buddhism?
Buddhism teaches that to free the mind from worry and fear, we can ’t simply deny or cover over its existence. Instead, we have to look deeply into their causes and overcome our dysfunctional thought patterns about life that create and nurture our fears. We need to practice mindfulness, calming, relaxation and insight to become intimate with these fears rather than trying to cast them out. By doing so, we discover a profound personal courage within. We now have a capacity to live a fearless life.
During this three-day retreat, we will reflect and meditate deeply on the nature of the conscious and unconscious historical habit energies that drive our fear/anxiety responses to life. Dharma talks, guided meditations, experiential exercises and group dialogues will clarify for participants what nurtures and supports their self-created unhappiness and learn how to live a sane and mature emotional life. We will begin to integrate the reality of impermanence, transforming our view from one of resistance and fear to a deep appreciation of life’s wonders.
This will be a silent retreat. The silence affords us the opportunity to deepen our meditative experience while absorbing the experiential meaning of the teachings and practices presented.
New to retreating with FCM? Please visit our FAQs page.
Who is this retreat for?
This retreat will benefit those who have previously attended a weekend retreat with FCM or another community and who wish to explore and transform the fear-based views that limit them and block happiness.
Retreat Logistics
This retreat is in-person only (either staying overnight or as a commuter) participation at FCM’s Tampa Center. The retreat will begin with orientation at 5:00 pm on Thursday, October 24 and ends after lunch on Sunday, October 27. Participation is open to both FCM members and non-members.
The fee for in-person participation is $270 for overnighters and $210 for commuters, with a $50 deposit required to apply.
If you are not familiar with our campus, you may enjoy this short video tour.
Please note:
- The deadline for application for this retreat will be September 26. Please understand that this application DOES NOT guarantee you a spot in the retreat; all acceptances are subject to Fred’s approval.
- We will notify all applicants by September 30 as to whether or not they have been accepted into the retreat.
- For those accepted, the balance of the fee will then be due by October 7, otherwise the spot will be given to another applicant.
- Please click here to read FCM's Retreat Cancellation Policy.
Retreat Scholarships are available; please click here to see FCM’s Retreat Scholarship Policy and for an Application, which needs to be submitted prior to the registration deadline for this retreat.
The teachings are offered in the Buddhist tradition of Dana, wherein the teachers freely give of themselves to the students out of gratitude for what they’ve received from their teachers and a desire to be of service. The student’s response is also based on Dana, i.e. generosity that naturally flows from a sense of appreciation of the value of Dharma and gratitude to the living lineage. All retreat dana will go towards supporting the retreat teachers.
The retreat registrar will be sending additional information to accepted registrants once registration is closed.
Retreat Leader
Fred Eppsteiner has been a student of the psychology of Buddhist meditation for over 40 years and was a psychotherapist for more than 30 years. He has trained extensively in the Buddhist meditative traditions the U.S. and Asia. He received permission to teach from Thich Nhat Hanh in 1994 and is the editor of two books: The Path of Compassion and Interbeing.
Questions?
For more information, please contact Angie at parrish26@gmail.com.
