Realizing Impermanence
A One-Day Zoom Retreat with Gareth Young
Saturday, June 20, 2020, from 8:45 to 5:00.jpg)
Impermanence Impermanence is the first of the three marks of existence, the nature of the five aggregates, and the nature of the six sense bases. It lies at the core of dependent origination and is arguably the very heart of the Buddha's realization and teaching. Realizing impernamence is essential to the Buddhist path. The pervasive impact of Covid19 on our lives has pushed us to more intimately experience impermanence - and the suffering that comes with it! However, even with this immediacy of this experience, it's still not easy to let go our resistance and drop into the direct experience of impermanence. Using a variety of source texts and meditation practices, Gareth will use this one-day Zoom-based retreat to help us move more deeply into the natural experience of impermanence and to the freedom that comes with accepting this reality.
Zoom Call Details A dedicated Zoom call event will be created and details provided to participants in advance of the retreat.
Cost There will be no cost for the event.
Gareth Young has been with Red Clay Sangha since its founding. He has formally studied in both the Insight and Zen traditions and his practice is informed by these and other branches of Buddhism, as well as other spiritual practices and other faiths. His approach to practice is intentionally inclusive, open and welcoming.
Other Practice Matters Prepare a comfortable, quiet space for your retreat a couple of days ahead of time, and wear comfortable clothing for the retreat. For some people facing their monitor can help remind them of the supportive presence of other attendees; for others, this can create a distraction and facing away works better. Please feel free to experiment and find the approach that works best for you. But remember that this is a group retreat and work to be fully present. Also please do treat this as a retreat and plan to attend for the full day; the flexibility of the Zoom can allow us to drop in and out, but this is not conducive to the immersive experience opportunity and can disturb the experience of others.
Yoga We are delighted to introduce Sally Landrum's yoga teaching to Red Clay Sangha at this retreat. Sally has received her 200 hour teaching certification through the "Give Yoga, Get Yoga" training program at All Life is Yoga and has recently moved much of her teaching to Zoom.
Preliminary Schedule
8:45 – 9:00 Informal Online Arrival
9:00 – 9:15 Orientation
9:15 – 9:45 Sitting meditation
9:45 – 9:50 Walking meditation
9:50 – 10:15 Sitting meditation
10:15 – 10:55 Dharma Talk: “Impermanence Realized”
10:55 – 11:00 Walking meditation
11:00 – 11:25 Guided meditation
11:25 – 11:30 Walking meditation
11:35 – 12:00 Sitting meditation
12:00 – 1:00 Lunch Alone – Remember Your Practice!
1:00 – 1:50 Yoga with Sally
1:50 – 2:00 Walking meditation
2:00 – 2:25 Sitting meditation
2:25 – 3:15 Discussion/Q&A
3:15 – 3:40 Sitting meditation
3:45 - 3:50 Walking meditation
3:50 – 4:15 Sitting meditation
4:15 – 4:20 Walking meditation
4:20 – 4:40 Sitting meditation
4:40 – 5:00 Closing circle
Lunch There will be a one hour break for lunch. Participants are encourage to use the break mindfully and to make no plans for administrative or household tasks, but rather to eat a healthy (light vegetarian) meal in silence, and spend the balance of the break in meditation, silent walking, or sitting silently in reflection or observing nature.
Questions or More Information? Please contact Gareth Young.