With Fred Eppsteiner

Dates:  July 7 - August 29
Registration Deadline:  June 18

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 participated in the Deconstructing the Myth of Self Intensive Part 1.

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)

In the first part of the year-long Deconstructing the Myth of Self Intensive we introduced teachings and practices aimed at understanding our ego/self in order to loosen our identification with it. This included the objective observation of what constitutes our particular sense of self and the various ways our particular self manifests in the world, both inwardly and outwardly. We also utilized western psychological perspectives to see the underlying core beliefs and schemas that drive much of the self-inflicted drama in our lives as well as the conditioning that gave rise to these ways of being in the world.

The 8-Week Summer Self-Development Intensive is for FCM members that participated in the Spring Intensive, Deconstructing the Myth of Self, Part 1. It will provide an opportunity for participants to build on their Spring Intensive practice by choosing areas of focus to delve into more deeply and develop their own plan of study and practice.

Areas of Focus: Many participants may already know what areas they want to focus on, but some examples of possible areas of focus could be:

Participant Commitments

Fees

The fee for Part 2 of this Intensive is $50. 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 

Texts: Participants will have the opportunity to choose from the following texts to support the study and practice within their chosen areas of focus.

Mentor Calls: We will remain in groups on the same days and times as we had in the Spring. If you need to make a change to your assigned group, please email Sheila at sajludwig@gmail.com, immediately after you register, and give her your available options.

Retreat: We are also holding a 3-Day in-person Retreat especially designed for participants in the Deconstructing the Myth of Self Intensive, Untangling the Knots of Self August 7-10. For more information and to register: Click here

Contacts for More Information

If you have any questions about this Summer Intensive please contact Betsy Arizu at betsyarizu@gmail.com or Misti Oxford Pickeral at misti.mountain@outlook.com. If you have any questions about the logistics of this Intensive, please contact Shelia at intensivecoordinator@floridamindfulness.org.

With Bryan Hindert, Dani Hall and Dharma Instructors

Dates:  July 7 - August 29
Registration Deadline:  June 18
Suitability
FCM members who have participated in a prior program (such as Grounding & Nourishing the Mind, Introduction to Mindfulness and Meditation, or a Miracle of Mindfulness Retreat) or have otherwise been introduced to the basic practices of mindfulness and meditation and are ready for the next step. (Learn more about becoming a member)

Path: Mindful Living Path/Grounding & Nourishing (Learn more about FCM's Three Paths)

Description

The Buddha taught that there are four kinds of nutriments that we consume, which feed not only our body, but our mind as well. These four nutriments include Edible Foods, Sensory Impressions, Intentions or Volition, and Mind States. He pointed out that the quality of these nutriments greatly impacts both our physical and our mental well-being, either positively or negatively. In our fast-paced, modern world, much of what we consume throughout the day is often unexamined, purely habitual, and may be having a negative impact on the health and wellbeing of our bodies, our minds, our society, and even our planet.

In this 8-Week Mindful Living Path Intensive, we will study, reflect on, and practice with the Buddha’s teachings on the Four Kinds of Nutriments. We will learn to bring intention to the daily choices we make on how and what we consume in order to support our well-being and the well being of the world. Participants will be supported with Dharma Talks, Q&A Sessions, Mentor Group Check-Ins, Practice Instructions, Guided Meditations, and Assigned Readings. 

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.

Commitments

Specific readings, group assignments, and Zoom instructions will be announced once registration has been completed. 
Fees

The fee for this Intensive is $50. 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:

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: July 15 & 29, August 12 & 26

Mentor Group #2: Tuesdays at 6:30-7:30 pm: July 15 & 29, August 12 & 26

Mentor Group #3: Wednesdays at 4:30-5:30 pm: July 16 & 30, August 13 & 27

Mentor Group #4: Thursdays at 7:30-8:30 am: July 17 & 31, August 14 & 28

Mentor Group #5: Thursdays at 6:30-7:30 pm: July 17 & 31, August 14 & 28

Contacts for More Information
If you have any questions about this Intensive program or whether it is appropriate for you, please contact Bryan Hindert at bbhindert@gmail.com. If you have any questions about the logistics of this Intensive, please contact Shelia at intensivecoordinator@floridamindfulness.org.