Upcoming Events

last update: July 21, 2008

Non-CMind Events & Opportunities of Interest:

12th Annual Meditation Retreat for People of Color
July 26-August 1, 2008
Vallecitos Mountain Refuge, New Mexico
With Mushim Ikeda-Nash and Ven. Suhita Dharma

In many traditions, people journey into the wilderness for contemplation and purification. How often do we have the opportunity to connect to our deepest intentions and to experience spiritual renewal? Taking place at 9,000 feet in pristine meadowland in New Mexico, the Vallecitos 2007 People of Color Retreat is designed to offer and support a practical introduction to insight meditation (vipassana). Meditation embodies the essence and wisdom of the teachings of the Buddha and has been the foundation of Buddhist teachings for 2,500 years. It is a simple and direct practice. Meditation is extraordinary in its simplicity, its lack of dogma and, above all, its results. This path to self-awareness can be successfully applied by anyone to their everyday lives. The ancient and profound teachings of interconnectedness and compassion are the foundations of spiritual awareness.

The retreat is based on the intensive training retreats that are traditionally the heart of Buddhist practice.  The daily schedule, conducted in silence, is comprised of group sitting periods alternating with walking meditation outdoors. There are group interviews with the teachers and a daily discourse from the teachings of the Buddha. In addition, there will be opportunities for optional group hikes and mindful movement to allow practitioners to fully experience Vallecitos’ beautiful natural setting, and to support physical joy and ease. “Gourmet” vegetarian meals add to the special nature of this retreat. To cultivate the meditation process, please note that complete silence is maintained at all times throughout the retreat, except during meditation practice interviews and the talks by the teachers, which may be followed by a communal conversation.

This retreat continues the ground-breaking tradition established at Vallecitos over the past decade. People of color come to the mountains, the forest and the river not to conference, network, analyze or plan, but to practice one of the world’s oldest and wisest contemplative traditions. For some, the retreat may be the first extended period of meditation practice and practicing silence.  No previous meditation experience is required to participate and the retreat is suitable for individuals at all levels of practice. 

To ensure that the retreat is accessible to all who wish to participate, we are offering a sliding scale of $100-$450. Scholarships and payment plans are available.

Fees include meals, accommodation and tuition. No dana or donations will be offered to the teachers.

Click here to register.

PEOPLE OF COLOR Meditation Sitting Groups (NYC)

There are two NYC groups:

On the second Monday of every month, 7 to 9 PM, with Gina Sharpe
at New York Insight Meditation Center
28 West 27th Street, 10th Floor
Visit www.nyimc.org for more information.  

and

at Shambhala Meditation Center of New York
118 W 22 St. 6th Flr.
New York, NY 10011
212 675-6544
Visit www.ny.shambhala.org for more information and scheduling.

PEOPLE OF COLOR Meditation Sitting Group (Boston)

Boston POC Meditation Group meets at
the Sacred Space, 200 Ell Hall
Northeastern University, Boston, MA
Sundays, 4:30 to 6:30 p.m.
Enter Through Curry Student Center.

Come together to learn and practice the joy of meditation as nourishment.
Chairs are available, but you are welcome to bring your own sitting cushion.

For more information, please contact: pocmeditate1@mac.com

Urban Word NYC

New York, NY
(212) 352-3495
Free spoken word, poetry hip-hop and college-prep workshops.
For more information, visit www.urbanwordnyc.org