Practicing with the Three Marks of Existence
A One-Day Online Retreat with Richard Skoonberg
Saturday, May 8, 2021, from 8:45 to 5:00
The Three Marks of Existence
are an essential Buddhist teaching regarding the nature of experience. The Three Marks of Existence are three characteristics that all conditioned phenomena share. This means that every sensation, thought, and experience we have is subject to these three marks, The Three Marks of Existence are anicca, dukkha, and anattā, or, in English, impermanence, imperfection, and not-self. We grow to know these characteristics through meditation practice.
During this day-long retreat, we will explore and use different meditation practices that focus on each of the Three Marks of Existence to help understand the importance of these concepts that underpin Buddhist teachings.
”As a beginning student, I wondered whether hearing about the three characteristics of experience, rather than discovering them for myself, would diminish their impact—that thinking about them wouldn’t count as much as discovering them directly. Today, I know that thinking, pondering, and reflecting on them count as well as direct moments of experience. Everything counts.” Sylvia Boorstein, Insight Meditation Teacher
Richard Skoonberg
Richard Skoonberg is a founding member of Red Clay Sangha has been practicing Buddhist meditation for over 18 years. At Red Clay, he regularly leads the Sunday Sutra Service and the Dharma discussion that follows. He also the co-leader for the Buddhist Sitting Group at Emerson Unitarian Universalist Congregation in Marietta.
What to Expect
This will be a full day of sitting and walking meditation practice, with time for group discussions. All are welcome, no previous experience with meditation required.
Cost
The registration fee is $10.00. This can be paid online during registration or afterwards by mail with a check or money order,
This retreat will be held on Zoom
To attend the session: Click here to join. Alternatively go to https://zoom.us/, click the links to enter a meeting, and enter meeting ID 971-373-141 and password 879550.
8:45 - 9:00 Welcome and Check-in
9:00 - 9:30 Introduction to the Three Marks of Existence
9:30 - 10:25 Sitting and walking meditation
10:35 - 11:25 Dharma talk – “Practicing with Imperfection”
11:25 - 12:00 Sitting and walking meditation
1:00 - 1:30 Sitting and walking meditation
1:30 - 2:15 Dharma talk – “Practicing with Impermanence”
2:15 - 2:45 Sitting and walking meditation
3:00 - 3:30 Sitting and walking meditation
3:30 - 4:15 Dharma talk – “Practicing with Not Self”
4:15 - 4:45 Sitting and walking meditation
4:45 - 5:00 End closing, questions, & comments
Questions or More Information?
Please contact Richard Skoonberg at skoonberg@gmail.com