With Fred Eppsteiner
Dates: July 7 - August 29
Registration Deadline: June 18
Deconstructing the Myth of Self is a year-long Intensive that will span three segments in 2025 - Part 1 in Winter/Spring, Part 2 in Summer, and Part 3 in Fall, giving us the opportunity to look and practice deeply and thoroughly.
Suitability
FCM members who have participated in the Deconstructing the Myth of Self Intensive Part 1.
Learn more about FCM's Three Paths
Description
“To study Buddhism is to study the self. To study the self is to forget the self. To forget the self is to be enlightened by all things. To be enlightened by all things is to be free from attachment to the body and mind of one's self and of others.”
(Zen Master Dogen)
In the first part of the year-long Deconstructing the Myth of Self Intensive we introduced teachings and practices aimed at understanding our ego/self in order to loosen our identification with it. This included the objective observation of what constitutes our particular sense of self and the various ways our particular self manifests in the world, both inwardly and outwardly. We also utilized western psychological perspectives to see the underlying core beliefs and schemas that drive much of the self-inflicted drama in our lives as well as the conditioning that gave rise to these ways of being in the world.
The 8-Week Summer Self-Development Intensive is for FCM members that participated in the Spring Intensive, Deconstructing the Myth of Self, Part 1. It will provide an opportunity for participants to build on their Spring Intensive practice by choosing areas of focus to delve into more deeply and develop their own plan of study and practice.
Areas of Focus: Many participants may already know what areas they want to focus on, but some examples of possible areas of focus could be:
- Developing a stronger understanding of the role and functioning that comes from labeling our experiences with I, Me, Mine and how that triggers emotional afflictions. Learning to develop the ability to cultivate and recognize self as it arises in the mind.
- Working to better recognize and understand specific schemas and the underlying conditioning that fuels much of our suffering.
- Deepening reflection on the particular strategies that self uses to protect, maintain and forward its interests.
- Cultivating the ability to see the difference between reality and the drama that self creates.
Participant Commitments
- Spend a minimum of 60 minutes daily in meditative practice, study, reflection, and/or other practices related to the Intensive.
- Read the Dharma text portions that you’ve chosen for the Intensive.
- Regularly attend weekly meditation, Days of Mindfulness and retreats during the Intensive, if possible.
- Be present for the Dharma Talks (via Zoom) on July 7, August 4, and August 25, all at 6:30-7:30 pm.
- Participate in your assigned bi-weekly Mentor Group (via Zoom).
Fees
The fee for Part 2 of this Intensive is $50. This is a suggested amount and participants are free to offer more or less depending on their individual financial situation - we do not want financial considerations to be a deterrent to participation.
You may pay on-line or send your check made out to the Florida Community of Mindfulness (FCM) to Florida Community of Mindfulness, 6501 N. Nebraska Ave., Tampa, FL 33604.
Registration Procedures
Texts: Participants will have the opportunity to choose from the following texts to support the study and practice within their chosen areas of focus.
- A New Earth by Eckhardt Tolle
- Emotional Alchemy by Tara Bennett-Goleman
- No Self, No Problem by Chris Niebauer. This book explores neuropsychology and the study of the architecture of the brain as it relates to the appearance of the fictional self. It helps us take a closer look at the notions of self, ego, and “me” that lie at the center of Western thought.
- It’s Up to You: The Practice of Self-Reflection on the Buddhist Path by Dzigar Kongtrul. This book is a deep exploration into the practice of self-reflection. "Self-reflection is the spirit and practice of honestly looking at whatever arises in our experience, without judgment.” Dzigar Kongtrul guides us in self-reflection aimed at freeing us from the prison of “self importance” that underlies the clinging we have to I, me and mine.
Mentor Calls: We will remain in groups on the same days and times as we had in the Spring. If you need to make a change to your assigned group, please email Sheila at sajludwig@gmail.com, immediately after you register, and give her your available options.
Retreat: We are also holding a 3-Day in-person Retreat especially designed for participants in the Deconstructing the Myth of Self Intensive, Untangling the Knots of Self August 7-10. For more information and to register: Click here
Contacts for More Information
If you have any questions about this Summer Intensive please contact Betsy Arizu at betsyarizu@gmail.com or Misti Oxford Pickeral at misti.mountain@outlook.com. If you have any questions about the logistics of this Intensive, please contact Shelia at intensivecoordinator@floridamindfulness.org.
