Members and non-members are invited to join the FCM community in selfless service and work meditation Saturday, November 2 by participating in this Saturday's workday!

We will begin the day together meeting under the pergola located between the Education Building and Great Cloud in preparation for our mindful work, with an orientation by work day leaders. There will be both indoor and outdoor tasks in need of our joyful attention. Please wear old clothes, sturdy closed-toe shoes and bring work gloves if you have them. Snacks and water will be provided.

We encourage everyone to experience the richness of practicing together, in-person on our campus. Our safety protocols are based on CDC recommendations. Please familiarize yourself with our FCM Health Protocols.

With metta,

Bill

Please note: FCM Members can access the Death Cafe web page and the Zoom links by clicking here.

Cave in the Snow, the Life of Tenzin Palmo

This is a documentary about the remarkable life of Tenzin Palmo, who is the most senior Tibetan-tradition nun in the world at present. She was born as Diane Perry in 1943 in Woolmers Park and brought up in tough circumstances in Bethnal Green, London. Becoming a Buddhist at age 18 she moved to India a couple of years later, and in 1964 was ordained as a srama?eri under the guidance of her root guru, Khamtrul Rinpoche. She took higher ordination in the Chinese tradition in Hong Kong in 1973, and after working for several years in Rinpoche’s monastery, moved into solitary retreat in 1976.

This was in a very remote area of Lahul in India, and is where she lived and practiced for the following twelve years, until it seems she was expelled from India for overstaying her visa. She spent the next few years giving talks and fundraising in order to build a nunnery where women would be able to get the same sort of training which was commonly available for males.

Her Dongyu Gatsal Ling Nunnery was finally opened in 2000, and since then has gone on to be one of the main supports for female monastics in the Tibetan tradition.

The documentary consists mainly of Tenzin’s recollections, thoughts and aspirations, along with appropriate photographs, and the occasional interview with others who were influential in her life.

After the film, we will show a more recent, 13 minute interview with Tenzin Palmo and learn of the current effects of this Venerable’s efforts.

Members and guests invited. Light snacks and drinks provided.

FCM's Days of Mindfulness are offered both In-Person at the Tampa Practice Center and Online. Whether you are a new or experienced meditator, our Days of Mindfulness are an opportunity to support and deepen the practice of mindfulness and meditation, and nourish the seeds of well being, inner peace and openness in our lives.

 

The day will be a chance for all of us to put down the busyness of our lives and to relax, refresh, and renew with the healing energy of mindfulness. The day is an opportunity to experiment with letting go of our stories and dramas about our lives and the world. Instead we will practice simply be present to, and nourished by, our actual experience in the present moment. The theme of this Day of Mindfulness with Fred will be Emotional Healing and Transformation.

We encourage everyone in the Tampa Bay vicinity to experience the richness of practicing together, in-person in our Meditation Hall. Please familiarize yourself with our FCM Health Protocols and plan to arrive by 8:30 am. Please bring your own vegetarian lunch. Water and tea will be provided.

If joining us online, the link to Zoom information will be provided once you register. We provide guidance to help you make the experience at home as close as possible to an experience in the Meditation Hall.

When you register indicate your choice of participation In-Person or Online.  While there is no fee for participation, the traditional practice of Dana (generosity) is appreciated. Please register to receive important information about your In-Person or Online Zoom attendance.  

If you have any questions please contact Rita Cathey at ritaanna727@gmail.com.

At FCM we celebrate the full moon each month with an evening devoted to meditations that help us develop and cultivate the mind of kindness, friendship and compassion towards all beings. During the guided meditation, we will practice embracing ourselves and others with thoughts of unconditional kindness, compassion, and support, and then to extend those feelings with well wishes for peace, happiness and an end to suffering for everyone in the world.

It has long been part of Buddhist tradition to honor and celebrate the arrival of the full moon. Legend has it that Shakyamuni Buddha was born under a full moon, arrived at his enlightenment under a full moon, and passed into paranirvana under a full moon. In Zen the full moon reminds us of our Buddha nature or our essential wholeness and completeness.

Our Full Moon Loving Kindness and Compassion evening will be from 7:30 – 8:45 pm. The evening will include guided loving kindness and compassion meditations, a short talk, and recitation of the Metta (Lovingkindness) Sutra and/or other music and altruistic readings. 

We encourage everyone in the Tampa Bay vicinity to experience the richness of practicing together, in-person in our Meditation Hall. There is no need to register ahead of time. Please familiarize yourself with our FCM Health Protocols and plan to arrive by 7:15 pm.

If joining us online, the link to Zoom is below. The event is suitable for both beginners and experienced meditators. There is no formal advance registration; simply join us online on the Sangha Line shortly before 7:30 pm. 

Zoom Links for FCM Sangha Line
Video Link https://us02web.zoom.us/j/3296243465?pwd=bUo1aFVQblhhbUFpZmZTci9EK0daZz09

Dial-In # 1-646-558-8656
Meeting ID# 329 624 3465

Description

FCM members who live outside of the Tampa Bay area and who are registered to attend the one-day retreat with Ven. Pannavati in-person on November 16 may reserve a room (double and triple occupancy) at Great Cloud Refuge on the Friday night before the retreat, the Saturday night (day of retreat), or both nights, if they wish to stay at the center for the weekend. Ven. Pannavati will be giving the Dharma talk on Sunday, November 17, as well.

The cost per night is $35, or $70 for two nights. We ask that you bring your own sheets and towels and self-clean your room (instructions will be provided) at check-out.

FCM will be providing lunch on Saturday. Otherwise attendees will be responsible for their own meals.

Questions?
For more information, please contact Angie at parrish26@gmail.com

With Venerable Pannavati

Description

When the world and it’s inhabitants appears to us as solid, permanent and real, we easily become ensnared and fixated within it’s unfolding. On the other hand, when we can recognize the nature of all that we “see” before us as illusory, impermanent, and nothing more than an interpretation of our mind, the very structure of appearances and our perceptions of them radically change. In this retreat, Venerable Pannavati will be guiding retreat participants in letting go of their defining and differentiating mind and joyfully explore what remains, our true mind.

To accomplish this profound and very accessible shift in perception, the Venerable will share practical teachings and meditations imparted to her over many decades of Dharma study and practice. These relate to observing the principle that the five psycho-physical aggregates (skandhas) composing a human being, as well as all phenomena, are inherently ‘empty’, i.e. devoid of inherent solidity and a 'self'. She will help participants activate the wisdom of the ten illusory “things” to break free from the conceptual mind that keeps us from realizing the empty, yet marvelous nature of true reality.

Retreat Leader
Venerable Pannavati is a former Christian pastor who is a Buddhist nun ordained in both Theravada and Mahayana traditions and also a Vajrayana teacher. Particularly inspired by her final lineage master, she offers authorized lineage teachings, meditations and activities using skillful means. She is known for her ability to make Buddhist teachings understandable to practitioners at all levels of meditative experience.

She is co-founder of Heartwood Refuge, an intentional monastic and lay residential community and the Embracing Simplicity Hermitage monastic order.
Venerable also serves on Buddhist and inter-spiritual leadership boards internationally, having retired from decades of active work in humanitarian projects advocating and serving women’s advancement, education for Dalits (India’s Untouchables) and full ordination for female monastics.

Logistics

The retreat will begin at 9:00 am. Lunch will be provided. We encourage all who can to join in person.

If you cannot attend in person, you may participate online. The Zoom links will be provided once you register, with guidance to help you make the experience at home as close as possible to an experience in the Meditation Hall.

The last day to register and pay for this retreat is November 6 for in-person

and November 14 for online. Unpaid registrations after these dates will be cancelled.

Registering for the one-day retreat does not include any overnight accommodations. For FCM members only, if you are coming from out of town and would like to stay at Great Cloud Refuge on Friday and/or Saturday night, click this link.

Questions?
For more information, please contact Angie at parrish26@gmail.com

Members and non-members are invited to join the FCM community in selfless service and work meditation Saturday, November 23 by participating in this Saturday's workday!

We will begin the day together meeting under the pergola located between the Education Building and Great Cloud in preparation for our mindful work, with an orientation by work day leaders. There will be both indoor and outdoor tasks in need of our joyful attention. Please wear old clothes, sturdy closed-toe shoes and bring work gloves if you have them. Snacks and water will be provided.

We encourage everyone to experience the richness of practicing together, in-person on our campus. Our safety protocols are based on CDC recommendations. Please familiarize yourself with our FCM Health Protocols.

With metta,

Bill

Cancelled

Please join us in Naples for a Forum for FCM members and nonmembers on Saturday, November 23 from 9:00 am  – 12:30 pm at Unity of Naples, 2000 Unity Way, Naples FL 34112. 

Whether you are a new or experienced meditator, the event is an opportunity to support and deepen the practice of mindfulness and meditation, and to nourish the seeds of well being, inner peace and happiness in our lives.

The morning will include sitting and walking meditation, mindful movements and song. This will be a chance for all of us to put down the busyness of our lives and to relax, refresh, and renew with the healing energy of mindfulness. The day is an opportunity to experiment with letting go of our stories and dramas about our lives and the world. Instead we will practice simply be present to, and nourished by, our actual experience in the present moment.

The Forum will be held in-person only.

Please familiarize yourself with our FCM Health Protocols and plan to arrive between 8:30 and 8:45 am.

There is a $10.00 fee to cover the rental cost of the facility.

If you have any questions please contact Chris Lee Nguyen (chrisleenguyen2000@gmail.com) or Tony Pollit (fanthonypollitt@gmail.com).

FCM members and their families/guests are invited to join the Florida Community of Mindfulness for a potluck Thanksgiving dinner at the Tampa Practice Center. It is good to notice and be grateful for all the gifts and opportunities that have come to us in this life, especially for the opportunity to walk this path of understanding, peace and loving kindness with each other. We warmly invite you and your families/guests to join us at the Florida Community of Mindfulness on Thursday, November 28 at 1:00pm to gather as a sangha family to express our deep appreciation for what has been most meaningful to us over the past year. We will then enjoy a potluck Thanksgiving dinner together.

As part of our Buddhist aspiration to do no harm and help support the sustainability of life on our planet our dinner will be vegan. Please complete step one by registering. Next, upon receiving confirmation, please sign up to bring a dish to share using the SignUpGenius link included in your confirmation email. Seating is limited so please sign up early.

Registration closes on November 14.

Please contact either Raven isharavensky@gmail.com or Maria Teresa j.emm.tee@gmail.com with any questions.

Please note: FCM Members can access the Death Cafe web page and the Zoom links by clicking here.

Members and non-members are invited to join the FCM community in selfless service and work meditation Saturday, December 7 by participating in this Saturday's workday!

We will begin the day together meeting under the pergola located between the Education Building and Great Cloud in preparation for our mindful work, with an orientation by work day leaders. There will be both indoor and outdoor tasks in need of our joyful attention. Please wear old clothes, sturdy closed-toe shoes and bring work gloves if you have them. Snacks and water will be provided.

We encourage everyone to experience the richness of practicing together, in-person on our campus. Our safety protocols are based on CDC recommendations. Please familiarize yourself with our FCM Health Protocols.

With metta,

Bill

FCM's Days of Mindfulness are offered both In-Person at the Tampa Practice Center and Online. Whether you are a new or experienced meditator, our Days of Mindfulness are an opportunity to support and deepen the practice of mindfulness and meditation, and nourish the seeds of well being, inner peace and openness in our lives.

 

The day will be a chance for all of us to put down the busyness of our lives and to relax, refresh, and renew with the healing energy of mindfulness. The day is an opportunity to experiment with letting go of our stories and dramas about our lives and the world. Instead we will practice simply be present to, and nourished by, our actual experience in the present moment. 

We encourage everyone in the Tampa Bay vicinity to experience the richness of practicing together, in-person in our Meditation Hall. Please familiarize yourself with our FCM Health Protocols and plan to arrive by 8:30 am.

If joining us online, the link to Zoom information will be provided once you register. We provide guidance to help you make the experience at home as close as possible to an experience in the Meditation Hall.

When you register indicate your choice of participation In-Person or Online.  While there is no fee for participation, the traditional practice of Dana (generosity) is appreciated. Please register to receive important information about your In-Person or Online Zoom attendance.  

If you have any questions please contact Rita Cathey at ritaanna727@gmail.com

At FCM we celebrate the full moon each month with an evening devoted to meditations that help us develop and cultivate the mind of kindness, friendship and compassion towards all beings. During the guided meditation, we will practice embracing ourselves and others with thoughts of unconditional kindness, compassion, and support, and then to extend those feelings with well wishes for peace, happiness and an end to suffering for everyone in the world.

It has long been part of Buddhist tradition to honor and celebrate the arrival of the full moon. Legend has it that Shakyamuni Buddha was born under a full moon, arrived at his enlightenment under a full moon, and passed into paranirvana under a full moon. In Zen the full moon reminds us of our Buddha nature or our essential wholeness and completeness.

Our Full Moon Loving Kindness and Compassion evening will be from 7:30 – 8:45 pm. The evening will include guided loving kindness and compassion meditations, a short talk, and recitation of the Metta (Lovingkindness) Sutra and/or other music and altruistic readings. 

We encourage everyone in the Tampa Bay vicinity to experience the richness of practicing together, in-person in our Meditation Hall. There is no need to register ahead of time. Please familiarize yourself with our FCM Health Protocols and plan to arrive by 7:15 pm.

If joining us online, the link to Zoom is below. The event is suitable for both beginners and experienced meditators. There is no formal advance registration; simply join us online on the Sangha Line shortly before 7:30 pm. 

Zoom Links for FCM Sangha Line
Video Link https://us02web.zoom.us/j/3296243465?pwd=bUo1aFVQblhhbUFpZmZTci9EK0daZz09

Dial-In # 1-646-558-8656
Meeting ID# 329 624 3465

Cancelled

Please join us in Naples for a Forum for FCM members and nonmembers on Saturday, December 21 from 9:00 am  – 12:30 pm at Unity of Naples, 2000 Unity Way, Naples FL 34112. 

Whether you are a new or experienced meditator, the event is an opportunity to support and deepen the practice of mindfulness and meditation, and to nourish the seeds of well being, inner peace and happiness in our lives.

The morning will include sitting and walking meditation, mindful movements and song. This will be a chance for all of us to put down the busyness of our lives and to relax, refresh, and renew with the healing energy of mindfulness. The day is an opportunity to experiment with letting go of our stories and dramas about our lives and the world. Instead we will practice simply be present to, and nourished by, our actual experience in the present moment.

The Forum will be held in-person only.

Please familiarize yourself with our FCM Health Protocols and plan to arrive between 8:30 and 8:45 am.

There is a $10.00 fee to cover the rental cost of the facility.

If you have any questions please contact Chris Lee Nguyen (chrisleenguyen2000@gmail.com) or Tony Pollit (fanthonypollitt@gmail.com).

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