With Fred Eppsteiner
Dates
February 24 - May 19
Registration Deadline: February 5
Deconstructing the Myth of Self is a year-long Intensive that will span three segments in 2025 - Part 1 in Winter/Spring, Part 2 in Summer, and Part 3 in Fall, giving us the opportunity to look and practice deeply and thoroughly.
Suitability
FCM members who have taken at least one course on mindfulness and meditation practice (Learn more about becoming a member).
Learn more about FCM's Three Paths
Description
“To study Buddhism is to study the self. To study the self is to forget the self. To forget the self is to be enlightened by all things. To be enlightened by all things is to be free from attachment to the body and mind of one's self and of others.” (Zen Master Dogen)
For students of Dharma, the issues of ‘self and ego’ and ‘non-self and non-ego’ are central to our spiritual quest and awakening. The intellectual and, most importantly, experiential resolution of this seeming paradox – i.e. what appears to be solid and real is not – has major implications for the well-being or ill-being that we experience daily in our personal lives. The Buddha stated that our belief in the permanent and solid nature of oneself in a world of other solid selves is the major cause of our ensnarement in self-created dissatisfaction, confusion and emotional afflictions. It is this fundamental ignorance of the way things really are (Reality) that prevents us from experiencing our fundamental oneness and connection with everything and everyone.
The focus of this Intensive and the overriding commitment of all participants is to undertake a deep, comprehensive and penetrative look at the self in an intellectual/analytical, psychological, and, most importantly, experiential/meditative manner. The intent is to ground participants in the traditional Buddhist philosophical and psychological teachings and practices related to self/non-self, as well as to personalize and individualize these practices for each participant.
The commitments for this Intensive are listed below. Before registering please read the commitments and reflect carefully on whether you will be able to keep them.
Participant Commitments
- A minimum of one-hour of daily study and practice, including formal meditation, reading assigned Dharma texts, and other practices related to this intensive.
- Participation in bi-weekly Mentoring Group Zoom calls 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.
Fees
The fee for Part 1 of this Intensive is $100. This is a suggested amount and participants are free to offer more or less depending on their individual financial situation - we do not want financial considerations to be a deterrent to participation.
You may pay on-line or send your check made out to the Florida Community of Mindfulness (FCM) to Florida Community of Mindfulness, 6501 N. Nebraska Ave., Tampa, FL 33604.
Registration Procedures
Please read the information below before you click to register.
Mentor Groups
When you register, you will also be asked to indicate your preferences for your bi-weekly Mentor Groups (small groups of 6-8 participants) offered through Zoom. You will be required to score each group as one of the following:
o my first choice
o my second choice
o could do but not preferred
o cannot do.
If there is more than one group that will work well for you, please mark all these as “my first choice.” This will provide us with added flexibility in making group assignments. Please have your calendar available when you register so that you can complete this part of the registration process accurately.
Mentor Group #1: Tuesdays at 7:30-8:30 am
Mentor Group #2: Tuesdays at 6:30-7:30 pm
Mentor Group #3: Wednesdays at noon-1:00 pm
Mentor Group #4: Wednesdays at 4:30-5:30 pm
Mentor Group #5: Thursdays at 7:30-8:30 am
Mentor Group #6: Thursdays at 6:30-7:30 pm
Contacts for More Information
If you have any questions about this Intensive program or whether it is appropriate for you, please contact Angie Parrish at parrish26@gmail.comparrish26@gmail.com. If you have any questions about the logistics of this Intensive, please contact Shelia at intensivecoordinator@floridamindfulness.org.
