Stoking the Inner Hearth - a mindful self-compassion immersion
Schedule
Sat Oct 12 2024 at 08:45 am to Sun Oct 13 2024 at 03:00 pm
UTC-07:00Location
Mandala Sanctuary, Eugene | Eugene, OR
💚 ~ STOKING THE INNER HEARTH ~ 💚
~A MINDFUL SELF-COMPASSION IMMERSION~
~ Oct. 12th/13th~
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Experience the heart-centered practices of mindfulness and self-compassion with a loving community of sincere practitioners. Through guided meditations, yin yoga, dharma talks, and discussion, we invite you into deeper healing and insight and into the awakened heart that lives inside each of us. 🙏🌱🧘♀️
***EARLY-BIRD ended September 15th - $50 more now.
Considering joining us? Reach out at [email protected]. We'd be happy to offer a complimentary Zoom session to introduce you to the practice. Also, if you'd like to hear Justin's Dharma Talks from the last retreat, visit https://eugeneinsight.com/dharma-talk-recordings.🙏🌱🧘♀️
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IMMERSION DATES/TIMES:
The Full Experience: 8:45am Saturday to 3:00pm Sunday. (Overnight or Commuting.)
Saturday Only: 8:45am - 6:00pm
***NOTE: Follow up Zoom Integration Session included - Wednesday May 16th, 6:30pm.
*Limit of 25 participants only at this time - reserve your space today!
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IMMERSION OVERVIEW: 🌻
"Searching in all directions
with your awareness,
you find no one dearer
than yourself." ~ The Buddha
Establishing a foundation of heartfulness is fundamental to the path of healing, insight, and liberation. And there is no more transformative a tool than the practices of self-kindness & compassion.
We come together in a growing community to "turn the wheel" of healing and insight for ourselves, one another, and for the universe itself.
We will be sitting at Mandala Sanctuary in Eugene. We will provide a majority of your nutritional needs through a plant-based, allergen-free lunch, dinner and breakfast. Please plan to supplement your meals to meet your dietary needs.
The immersion will include silent sitting and walking meditations, yin yoga, dharma talks, and group sharing – as well as time to rest and soak it all in. Much of the event will be held in intentional silence, with the exception of several periods for group sharing and connection.
Immersions are guided by Justin Michelson, and are a synergy of:
- the Insight Meditation tradition & the Brahmaviharas (Theravada Buddhism)
- Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MSBR)
- Internal Family Systems Theory
For this immersion, the Zoom-based Integration Session will be on Wednesday April 19th, 6:30pm. (link in registration email).
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EQUITY AND SAFETY:
We are aware that this group is led and often attended primarily by people who occupy identities of privilege; often predominantly white, settler (people who are not indigenous to the lands they live upon) and cisgender (people whose gender corresponds with the sex they were assigned at birth). We want to invite shared responsibility for cultivating and maintaining a safe(r), inclusive, and equitable space for all and ask each of you (especially white and cisgender folk) to engage in any preparation needed for you to do to show up in practice with people occupying other identities.
(Courtesy of Darcy Otto and Youth Passageways.)
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FEES & DONATIONS: (work trade and scholarships available below)
1.5 days of Dharma (guided meditations, yoga, & discussion), Organic Meals, and Camping accommodations.
***EARLY-BIRD ended September 15th (price raised $50 after).
***A percentage of donations are paid forward to organizations working toward Environmental Justice.
1) Retreat Fee:
Overnight, $150 - $250
$150 - SUBSIDIZED (Low income and BIPOC only. This price is subsidized by other participants or the organization)
$200 - SUSTAINING (This amount sustains the basic operations of the organization. If this was the only price and you could still pay it, please do.)
$250 - SUPPORTING (This amount supports the attendance of BIPOC, low-income, and scholarship participants. Without people paying this amount that can, we can't make these offerings accessible.)
Saturday ONLY, $75 - $125 (9am-6pm, includes lunch)
$75 - SUBSIDIZED
$100 - SUSTAINING
$125 - SUPPORTING
*The "organization fee" is designed to approximate the costs of administration, permitting, food, insurance, rent, outreach, supplies, movement-teachers, set-up/clean-up, etc. It’s not designed to offer the main teacher a living wage for preparing teachings, holding the retreat container, meeting with participants, follow up, or preparing for future offerings. Nor is it designed to help support our 501c3 non-profit in sustaining or expanding its reach and services. Hence, there is an additional practice opportunity of donating to those ends.
**Payment plans available (inquire within)
2) TEACHER DONATION ("Dana") (90% goes to the teacher and 10% to the 501c3)
Offering mindfulness teachings on a donation basis comes from the tradition of Insight Meditation. It keeps these powerful mindfulness practices accessible, honest, and communal. However, it only works if attendees incline their hearts to understand and participate in it. We invite you to consider this as a spiritual practice of generosity and loving-kindness. This offering supports the livelihood of the teacher, the work of the 501c3 non profit, and keeps the "wheel of the dharma" turning for all beings.
**People often ask how much is appropriate. The guideline is to offer the teacher what feels generous to you while also within your financial means. However, when pressed for an amount, we often suggest $75-175 for the full overnight retreat. But sincerely, any amount is welcomed.
***It is offered at the end of the retreat via cash/check to Eugene Insight Meditation Center or "EIMC". Paypal/Venmo are also options (at [email protected] and @eugene-insight).
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REGISTRATION: There are limited spaces on the retreat. Reserve your spot through one of the following avenues:
1) NATURE'S HEART WEBSITE:
You can use a card or PayPal on our new website. Visit our website at https://naturesheart.net/events/floweringheart24/
(Credit card charge will appear as: WEHOSTONEOFAKIND)
2) CHECK/CASH:
Send to Eugene Insight at 81868 Lost Valley Ln. Dexter, OR 97431
If you use a check, please also send an email to [email protected].
If you need a special arrangement, please email [email protected].
Deposit of half the organization fee is due to reserve your spot. Full payment due 1 month prior to the event. Payment plans accepted. See cancellation policy below.
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WORK TRADE: These positions require firm commitment and follow-through. Direct applications to [email protected].
1) Kitchen Assistant
This position requires a total of approximately 8hrs of focused work the day before the retreat, and covers the retreat fee. It requires travel to the site to work with the chef to prepare the meals.
2) Outreach and Registration Assistant (at least 1 month prior)
This position involves working with Nature’s Heart to tell more people about our programs through various online and in-person methods. It provides anywhere from a half to full trade for the event. Please fill out the application form at the following link: (coming soon)
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SCHOLARSHIPS: Scholarships are available for low-income peoples and marginalized groups, including People of Color, Transgender, Elderly, and Disabled folks. Please contact [email protected] to share more about yourself. No one will be turned away for lack of funds.
PAYMENT PLANS:
We offer the option of payment plans for special circumstances. Inquire at [email protected] for more details.
CANCELLATION POLICY: Cancellations must be made in writing to [email protected]. Note, there is a $25 non-refundable registration fee.
The remainder of your payment is:
100% refundable if more than 30 days prior to the event;
50% if more than 14 days;
25% if more than 7 days;
No refund within 7 days of the event.
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TESTIMONIALS:
“A heartfelt thank you to Justin and Raya for facilitating the self compassion meditation retreat. Justin’s teachings are open, authentic, refreshing and easy to apply to your own life. The retreat was silent with space for small group or one to one sharing . The Mandala Center is absolutely gorgeous and inspiring. People were welcoming and nonjudgmental, and the food was nourishing and delicious. Highly recommend for beginners or seasoned practitioners. - Past Participant
"This was my first two-day meditation and yoga retreat and I was a bit nervous going into it — nervous that it would be too much meditation, ha! But really it was just the right amount to find some calm in the first day, and spend the next really unpacking and implementing everything that came up during the first. Justin is a great teacher and I could tell the crew was comfortable with him. - Past Participant
"Though brief, the weekend felt spacious thanks to the flexibility afforded to us – we could move around as needed, tend to our own vital needs, and one on one support was offered by both a licensed mental health provider and Justin. Along with delicious, nutritiously dense, plant-based food, we were well-nourished by a gentle yoga practice that I felt was integral to the experience as well and enabled us to go deeper into practice. Perhaps most compelling for me was the repeated invitation to allow emotions of sadness and grief to emerge as felt comfortable, and to hold these with care as we cultivated a “field of care”. Coming out of the retreat, we received guidance to take it slow and gentle with ourselves – I found myself feeling more like my true self, having a greater stress tolerance, feeling more loving and understanding towards all beings, feeling far more connected to nature, and experiencing more clarity in general. All in all, I believe we all need more of “this” in our lives given the culture we live in and to give each of our broken hearts a chance, and as Justin so aptly put it, that I will paraphrase here, healing occurs naturally when we allow the space for it to – we don't have to try or force anything – it simply happens in the room we make for it. I urge each of us to please make room – and to do so here with Justin would be a gift to yourself, your loved ones, the rest of us, and the planet. Many thanks."
- Past Participant
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RETREAT SCHEDULE: (approximate)
SATURDAY:
8:45am: Arrive at Mandala
9:00am: Welcome & Orientation
9:15am: One-One Conversations and Journaling
9:30am: Dharma Talk #1
10:00am: Yin Yoga
10:45am: Seated Meditation
11:15am: Walking Meditation
11:45am: Seated Meditation
12:15pm: Walking Meditation
12:30pm: Lunch
2:00pm: Mini Dharma Talk
2:15pm: Yin Yoga
3:00pm: Seated Meditation
3:30pm: Walking Meditation
4:00pm: Seated Meditation
4:30pm ~ Walking Meditation
5:00pm ~ Short Sit, Dharma Talk and Group Sharing
6:00pm: Dinner
7:30pm: Seated Meditation
8:00pm: Walking Meditation
8:30pm: Partner Meditation
9:00pm: Candle Lighting Ceremony
9:30pm: Continued practice or sleep
SUNDAY:
6:00am: Wake Up Bell & Hot Tea
6:30am: Seated Meditation
7:00am: Walking Meditation
7:30am: Yin Yoga
8:00am - Breakfast
9:30am - Seated Meditation
10:00am - Walking Meditation
10:30am - Seated Meditation
11:00am - Dharma Talk
11:45am - Journaling
12:00pm - Final One-One Conversations
12:30pm - Lunch
1:30pm - Short Sit, Group Sharing
2:30pm - Short Talk & Questions
3:00pm - Departure & Clean
*Optional individual and group meetings with the teacher will be held during meal breaks, walking meditations, and movement sessions.
**Please stay for the entire duration, unless there is an emergency.
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LOCATION: Mandala Sanctuary, 10 minutes south of Eugene, OR. Precise directions will be given to registered participants via email several days prior to the immersion.
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GUIDES:
Justin Michelson - Nature's Heart Meditation Teacher & Wilderness Guide.
Justin is a Eugene-area meditation and mindfulness teacher in the Insight Meditation tradition (Thai Forest). His passion for the Dharma and his love of Nature have informed and inspired one another for almost 20 years, taking him from retreat centers to mountain-tops to the plant nursery. He harvests the fruits of his contemplative journey to best serve people and the Earth at this challenging time.
Since 2000, he has practiced with his root teacher, Rodney Smith, who asked him to share the teachings of the Dharma. He has also completed Spirit Rock Meditation Center's Community Dharma Leadership program, Mark Coleman's Awake in the Wild nature-meditation training, and has begun the MBSR certification through UC San Diego. He has also practices and incorporates the healing modality of Internal Family Systems theory with his students.
His teachings weave together kindness and compassion, dharmic wisdom and insight, and a deep love for the natural world and the Northwest Bioregion.
He has a background in environmental education, non-profit management, farming/gardening, and now owns a native plant nursery outside of Eugene. He lives in an earthen cabin at a retreat center in Dexter, OR, from where he leads retreats, runs his nursery, and teaches at the nearby Eugene Insight Meditation Center.
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FOOD and WATER: (you will need your own dishware and water bottle)
- We encourage you to eat a hearty breakfast before arriving on Saturday morning (or on the way up), as we won't be breaking again until 12:30pm.
- For Lunch on Saturday, we will provide a fresh green salad w/ toppings, hard boiled eggs, and a dressing on the side. Please supplement with your own food.
- For Dinner on Saturday, we will provide a simple hearty soup with a grain, toppings, and hard boiled eggs. Please supplement with your own food.
- For Breakfast on Sunday, we will provide breakfast grains, fruit/nuts, and hard boiled eggs. Please supplement with your own food.
- For Lunch on Sunday, we will provide leftovers from the previous meals.
* Let us know of any particular dietary needs/restrictions - we may be able to accommodate. We may also have a little extra fridge or cooler space. Please inquire if you are in need of this.
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WHAT ELSE YOU'LL NEED:
-Supplemental Food (see above)
-Water Bottle
-Personal Dishware (please bring these items in a small separate bag or container that can be placed in a tote designated in the kitchen area)
-Clothes for warm and cool weather (long sleeves/pants and; close-toed shoes for poison oak prevention.)
-Sleeping bag and pad
-Personal Tent, if desired (or sleep in the Yurt with other participants)
-Yoga mat
- Meditation cushion and mat
-Toiletries (if staying the night)
-Journal and pen
-Dana
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INSPIRATION:
Buoyancy by Rumi
Love has taken away my practices
and filled me with poetry.
I tried to keep quietly repeating,
'No strength but yours,'
but I couldn't.
I had to clap and sing.
I used to be respectable and chaste and stable,
but who can stand in this strong wind and remember those things?
A mountain keeps an echo deep inside itself.
That's how I hold your voice.
I am scrap wood thrown in your fire,
and quickly reduced to smoke.
I saw you and became empty.
This emptiness, more beautiful than existence,
it obliterates existence, and yet when it comes,
existence thrives and creates more existence!
The sky is blue.
The world is a blind man squatting on the road.
But whoever sees your emptiness
sees beyond blue and beyond the bind man.
A great soul hides like Muhammed, or Jesus
moving through a crowd in a city
where no one knows him.
To praise is to praise
how one surrenders
to the emptiness.
So the sea-journey goes on, and who knows where!
Just to be held by the ocean is the best luck we could have.
It's a total waking up!
Why should we grieve that we've been sleeping?
It doesn't matter how long we've been unconscious.
We're groggy, but let the guilt go.
Feel the motions of tenderness around you,
the buoyancy.
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HOSTS:
Nature's Heart LLC has merged with Eugene Insight Meditation Center 501c3. We are now a single 501c3 non-profit located in Eugene, Oregon. Find out more about us at
www.eugeneinsight.com
www.naturesheart.net
💙🙏
