Announcing Two Classes and a Meditation Retreat
Meditation Friends: (1) I will be teaching for the second time my course on "Self or No-Self: Buddha's Controversial Teaching" at Walnut Hills Church in Clive, 6:00-8:00 pm, Mondays, March 26, April 2, 9, & 16; (2) I will repeat a course I've taught many times on "Introduction to Meditation and Mindfulness" at Callanan Middle School, 6:30-8:30 pm, Wednesdays, March 28 & April 4; and (3) I will lead another all day meditation retreat at the Friends Meeting House, 8:30 am - 4:30 pm, Saturday, April 7. If interested in any of these, read on for more information and how to register. Peace, Charlie
Self/No-Self Class - Mondays, March 26, April 2, 9, & 16
Class: Self or No Self: Buddha’s Controversial Teaching
Place: Walnut Hills Church, 12321 Hickman Road, Urbandale, IA
Time: 6:00 - 8:00 pm, Mondays, March 26, April 2, 9, & 16
Fee: $30
Register: Contact Emily at emily@whumc.org or 515-270-9226
Buddha’s No Self/No Soul doctrine has been his most misunderstood, off-putting, controversial, and confusing teaching. Lectures, discussions, meditations, guided imagery exercises, and recommended online readings will be used to help class participants intellectually understand and transcendentally experience “no self” as the exotic mystical enlightment state which is shared by and endures for mystics in all spiritual traditions, and which we all occasionally experience but rarely recognize as such.
It is recommended but not necessary to use the following book as a resource during the course: “Mysticism for Modern Times”, by Willigis Jager. Liguori Publications, 2006.Order from local book stores or online at www.amazon.com.
This is an introductory meditation class 6:30 - 8:30 pm, Wednesdays, March 28 & April 4, for the Des Moines Public School Community Education Program. I'll teach regular sitting meditation, lovingkindness and compassion meditations, standing and walking meditations, eating meditation, and different mindfulness practices, as well as a brief introduction to Buddhist philosophy. The class will be in Room 134 at Callanan Middle School, 31st & Pleasant St., Des Moines. The class is $30. To register call 242-8521 or online at www.dmced.org or register when you come to class. Peace, Charlie
Donation: Teachers consider Buddha's teachings to be priceless and often lead retreats at no cost. Instead, they gratefully accept donations or dana, the Pali word for generosity or gift-giving. Dana expresses your generosity to the teacher and supports the continuation of the teachings.
Volunteers Needed: If you would like to either (1) Prepare - for an estimated 45 retreat participants - a substantial vegetarian soup or (2) Bring bread, butter, peanut butter, and jelly, or (3) Bring three kinds of fruits, or (4) Bring beverages (5) Assist in setting up the meditation hall and dining room, please contact the Retreat Manager Todd Jenkins at tdavid@netins.net or 641-396-2836. Your generosity to your fellow retreat participants is greatly appreciated. Volunteers participate in the full retreat, except during the 20 minute walking meditation preceeding lunch and serving it before they eat. It is perfectly OK to just participate without volunteering.
Self/No-Self Class - Mondays, March 26, April 2, 9, & 16
Class: Self or No Self: Buddha’s Controversial Teaching
Place: Walnut Hills Church, 12321 Hickman Road, Urbandale, IA
Time: 6:00 - 8:00 pm, Mondays, March 26, April 2, 9, & 16
Fee: $30
Register: Contact Emily at emily@whumc.org or 515-270-9226
Buddha’s No Self/No Soul doctrine has been his most misunderstood, off-putting, controversial, and confusing teaching. Lectures, discussions, meditations, guided imagery exercises, and recommended online readings will be used to help class participants intellectually understand and transcendentally experience “no self” as the exotic mystical enlightment state which is shared by and endures for mystics in all spiritual traditions, and which we all occasionally experience but rarely recognize as such.
The class is open to both new and experienced meditators and those with no or lots of knowledge of Buddhism. Participants are asked to commit themselves to meditating at least 20 minutes on at least three days of each week during the course and, hopefully, more often thereafter, in order to facilitate intuitive apprehension of the intellectual teachings.
It is recommended but not necessary to use the following book as a resource during the course: “Mysticism for Modern Times”, by Willigis Jager. Liguori Publications, 2006.Order from local book stores or online at www.amazon.com.
Introduction to Meditation & Mindfulness - Wednesdays, March 28 & April 4
This is an introductory meditation class 6:30 - 8:30 pm, Wednesdays, March 28 & April 4, for the Des Moines Public School Community Education Program. I'll teach regular sitting meditation, lovingkindness and compassion meditations, standing and walking meditations, eating meditation, and different mindfulness practices, as well as a brief introduction to Buddhist philosophy. The class will be in Room 134 at Callanan Middle School, 31st & Pleasant St., Des Moines. The class is $30. To register call 242-8521 or online at www.dmced.org or register when you come to class. Peace, Charlie
Meditation & Mindfulness Retreat - Saturday, April 7 - Don't Just Do Something, Sit There!
When: Saturday, April 7, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Where: 4211 Grand Ave., Des Moines - Des Moines Valley Friends Meeting House on NW corner 42nd and Grand. Park in lot off 42nd or on Ingersoll Ave.To Register: Email the Retreat Registrar Cris Douglas at catnut4@hotmail.com and leave your name, phone number, and email address. Register only if you can attend all of the retreat.
Retreat: This retreat is offered by the Des Moines Meditation & Mindfulness Group and is open to new and experienced meditators without charge. It includes instructions for the sitting, walking, eating, and lovingkindness meditations, handouts, and a talk. Bring a cushion, mat, or meditation bench if you have them. Chairs and a few floor cushions are available. Wear loose fitting, comfortable clothes. Please do not wear scented lotions or perfumes because some persons may be allergic to them. Lunch is provided.
Teachers: Charlie Day is the founder and guiding teaching of the Des Moines Meditation and Mindfulness Group. He is a retired psychologist who has studied meditation and Buddhism for over 45 years in the US, India, and Thailand. He teaches meditation as a psychological and spiritual growth technique and Buddhism as a philosophy and way of life compatible with all religions. Charlie teaches classes, sitting groups, retreats, and guides individuals in their practice. Fred Nelson, who is an attorney and one of the Group's assistant teachers, will lead a lovingkindness meditation.
Retreat: This retreat is offered by the Des Moines Meditation & Mindfulness Group and is open to new and experienced meditators without charge. It includes instructions for the sitting, walking, eating, and lovingkindness meditations, handouts, and a talk. Bring a cushion, mat, or meditation bench if you have them. Chairs and a few floor cushions are available. Wear loose fitting, comfortable clothes. Please do not wear scented lotions or perfumes because some persons may be allergic to them. Lunch is provided.
Teachers: Charlie Day is the founder and guiding teaching of the Des Moines Meditation and Mindfulness Group. He is a retired psychologist who has studied meditation and Buddhism for over 45 years in the US, India, and Thailand. He teaches meditation as a psychological and spiritual growth technique and Buddhism as a philosophy and way of life compatible with all religions. Charlie teaches classes, sitting groups, retreats, and guides individuals in their practice. Fred Nelson, who is an attorney and one of the Group's assistant teachers, will lead a lovingkindness meditation.
Donation: Teachers consider Buddha's teachings to be priceless and often lead retreats at no cost. Instead, they gratefully accept donations or dana, the Pali word for generosity or gift-giving. Dana expresses your generosity to the teacher and supports the continuation of the teachings.
Volunteers Needed: If you would like to either (1) Prepare - for an estimated 45 retreat participants - a substantial vegetarian soup or (2) Bring bread, butter, peanut butter, and jelly, or (3) Bring three kinds of fruits, or (4) Bring beverages (5) Assist in setting up the meditation hall and dining room, please contact the Retreat Manager Todd Jenkins at tdavid@netins.net or 641-396-2836. Your generosity to your fellow retreat participants is greatly appreciated. Volunteers participate in the full retreat, except during the 20 minute walking meditation preceeding lunch and serving it before they eat. It is perfectly OK to just participate without volunteering.