STRENGTH IN COMPASSION

STRENGTH IN COMPASSION

Compassion, "feeling with," or empathizing is one of the great human capacities. Yet, through life's trials and tribulations, we develop habits of mind that obstruct the way of compassion. Vulnerability becomes a dreaded experience. In this retreat, we'll take time to study the Buddhist archetype of compassion and investigate the workings of compassion in our own mind-hearts, so that we have the best chance of drawing on this deeply sustaining human quality.

Silence, walking and sitting meditation, mindful meals, Dharma discussion, yoga, meditative work with the staff of Southern Dharma, talks by and personal interviews with the teacher are intended to provide conditions favorable for remembering and cultivating the profound resource of compassion towards ourselves and all beings.

This retreat, held mostly in silence and including more meditation practice than previous retreats with Therese, is recommended for both beginning and experienced meditators.

Therese Fitzgerald received Dharmacharya ordination by Thich Nhat Hanh in 1994 and Soto Zen priest ordination by Richard Baker-roshi in 1986. She is Co-Founder of the Community of Mindful Living, which developed Thich Nhat Hanh's teaching and Vietnamese social work base in the United States. Together with Maxine Hong Kingston, Therese helped start the Veterans' Writing Group. Therese now lives on Maui, where she works as a meditation teacher and Co-director of Ala Kukui/Hana Retreat. She is a native of Charlotte, NC. See http://dharmafriends.org for more information.