Events

Join Stephanie DeBou and the CEC for a day at the meditation spa: 4 hours of guided meditations, therapeutic, self-guided body work, and restorative yoga for the body and mind.

Alchemy is the separation of the chaotic and unconscious psychic matter, into clearly known opposing principles. Then in a further stage, the alchemist works to reconcile these opposites into a new harmoniously integrated whole. This week we’ll explore the alchemical dimensions of mindfulness practice.

Tonight, we will lovingly peer into our sensory experience for clues as to what ulterior motives might be influencing how and why we meditate. Off the cushion, we’ll explore, by way of journaling, how and where these motives might be expressing themselves in our daily lives, and how we might use our practice to detect, elucidate, and guide us towards what is needed.

Pratyahara is the fifth limb of Patanjali’s Ashtanga yoga: withdrawal of the senses. Yet your senses comprise the only vehicle you’ll ever drive— let’s see how they work! With a special focus on sound and vibration, we will guide you on a journey inside and out, a coming home to the senses you’ve always known.

“Like that, don’t like that. Want that, not that. You come here, you go away…”. So much of our sensory experience are accompanied by these little judgements, pushing and pulling us every which way. In tonight’s meditation, we’ll tune into those discernments, noticing our endless mental navigations.

In this half day retreat, we’ll explore your reasons for meditating (or wanting to!), the techniques that support them and the obstacles that stand in your way. Deepen your existing practice, or kickstart a new one! Treat yourself to four hours of quiet in the heart of the city, alternating between gentle guidance, silent sitting, moving meditations and community connection.

The world is crazy.  Meditation is sanity. The intention of this non-residential weekend training  is to empower everyone – including people not remotely interested in becoming a “teacher” –  to think about and care for their own mental health and the mental health of others. Learning to guide meditation practice is an excellent way to do both. As we get clearer about the practice of guiding a meditation, our own practice deepens immeasurably.

With a mix of guidance and silent practice, explore the fine grains of feeling, sound, rest, surrender, play, loving-kindness, then let the insights build while activating them in a community of fellow explorers intent on taking what they learn on the cushion into their lives. Not a retreat. This is an ADVANCE!