Together and alone: finding freedom individually and collectively
A nine-day retreat weaving together silent and relational insight meditation with some Zen practices
This retreat offers a rare opportunity to explore a range of different approaches to finding freedom, taken from both the insight and Zen traditions offered by Auckland Insight guiding teacher Jill Shepherd and visiting US Insight Dialogue teacher Nicola Redfern.
We will use a variety of practice modes to explore one of the key obstacles to finding freedom: clinging to views. These different approaches can help to illuminate how views form and inform every aspect of our lives, including our understanding of ourselves and the world. We will look at some of the different views of views within Buddhism, including Right View as the foundation of the Noble Eightfold Path; the “fetter” of sakkāya-diṭṭhi or self-view; and Nibbāna as the transcending of all views.
The retreat will include daily instruction in insight meditation each morning. Each afternoon, there will be a two-hour session of relational practice. This involves meditating together in pairs or small groups practising mindful speaking and listening, using the six guidelines of Insight Dialogue to support deep inquiry into the dharma, the Buddha’s teachings.
For more information about the practice of Insight Dialogue, please see
https://insightdialogue.org/relational-practices/insight-dialogue/
Experience level: This retreat is best suited to people who have done at least one previous residential insight meditation retreat of two days or longer, but prior Insight Dialogue experience is not required.
To Book: https://events.humanitix.com/im-id-zen-nine-day-retreat-april-2024
Teachers: Nicola Redfern and Jill Shepherd
Nicola Redfern is an Insight Dialogue Retreat Teacher with an extensive background in both Zen and Vipassanā meditation. With a strong belief that awakening is not a solo endeavour, Nic is particularly interested in getting meditation off the cushion and fully integrated into life, work, social justice and relationships.
Jill Shepherd is the guiding teacher for Auckland Insight and is a graduate of the IMS / Spirit Rock teacher training program in the US, under the guidance of Joseph Goldstein and Gil Fronsdal.
She lives in Aotearoa / New Zealand and teaches internationally, offering insight / vipassanā and brahmavihāra retreats as well as ongoing study and practice groups focused on bringing the dharma into daily life. She also leads courses and non-residential workshops exploring the relational practice of Insight Dialogue, as developed by Gregory Kramer and colleagues.
