October 7 - December 16, 2024
This Intensive began in the fall of 2023 with Part 1, where we learned about Shantideva and his treasured text, The Way of the Bodhisattva, and began laying the foundation and commitments to prepare our minds for bodhicitta to take hold. We then embarked upon Part 2, with Fred guiding us in our Bodhisattva training with the practice of the paramitas (or perfections) of discipline, patience, and joyful effort. Part 3 was a self-development Intensive during the summer of 2024, where each participant worked on their individual plan to deepen their study and practice of areas most meaningful at this stage of their practice.
In this Fall 2024 Intensive we will conclude with study and practice of the final two perfections, meditation and wisdom. We now need to deepen our capacity to stabilize the mind and curtail its habit of wandering in distraction in order to support deeper insight and wisdom. We also will be studying and practicing meditations on bodhichitta, specifically meditating on the equality of oneself and others, and exchanging oneself for others. We will then turn to the teachings of the wisdom chapter, concluding with the beautiful and profound verses in the dedication chapter.
Members of FCM who have taken Parts 1, 2 or 3 or who have studied this text at any previous time are invited to continue this journey with us.
We will continue to utilize assigned readings in The Bodhicaryavatara and in recommended commentarial texts. Bi-weekly group mentoring on Zoom will provide individual guidance and support. These mentor calls will alternate between being led by Fred and Angie. All Dharma talks given by Fred will be offered to participants via Zoom.
Participant Commitments
- A minimum of one-hour of daily formal meditative and/or other practices related to this intensive.
- Reading the Dharma texts that will be assigned to participants.
- Participation in bi-weekly Mentoring Group Zoom calls with Fred and Angie during the intensive.
- Being present for the Zoom Dharma Talks with Fred.
- Attending all the practice periods of your Sangha during the Intensive, as possible.
Mentoring
As in the Fall intensive, each Mentoring Group will meet every two weeks, alternating between Fred and Angie as mentors. The Mentoring Group composition and schedule will continue as they have been during the Spring 2024 intensive. If you need to change the group you are in, are new to this intensive, or if you have questions about the mentoring groups, please contact Sheila at intensivecoordinator@floridamindfulness.org.
Registration will close on September 27. Out of consideration for our Intensive organizers, and to ensure your acceptance into the intensive, please register immediately or mark the registration closing date in your calendar now.
If you have any questions about this intensive, please contact Angie at parrish26@gmail.com.
