Florida Community of Mindfulness upcoming events

FCM Cafe Series (21 Aug 2026)

Fri, 21 Aug 2026 23:00:00 GMT

Please join us to deepen your connection with the community as we enjoy music, socializing and light refreshments for the next installment of our FCM Cafe Series.

The Cafe events are casual, social gatherings where members and non-members can connect and get to know one another in a relaxed setting. There is no need to register and there is no formal agenda for the evening. Just stop by, unwind, and enjoy good company!

Musical guest TBD.

For more information, contact Peggy at peggyfcm6501@gmail.com.

Selfless Service Work Morning (22 Aug 2026)

Sat, 22 Aug 2026 12:00:00 GMT

All are invited to join in community and selfless service this Saturday, August 22, as we come together to continue to cultivate a place of peace and beauty for the benefit of all beings!

We will meet at 8:00 am under the pergola located behind the Meditation Hall to begin the day; if you cannot be there at 8:00 am or need to leave before we end for the day at 11:00 am please do not let that keep you from attending – any amount of service is appreciated!

Please wear work clothes and closed toe shoes and bring work gloves if you have them. Snacks and water will be provided.

We look forward to being with you and getting to know one another in an informal and friendly setting!

Please familiarize yourself with our FCM Health Protocols.

Many thanks,

The Center Care Team

CANCELLED - Full Moon Loving Kindness and Compassion Meditation (28 Aug 2026)

Fri, 28 Aug 2026 23:30:00 GMT

Cancelled this month due to a scheduled retreat.

At FCM we celebrate the full moon each month with an evening devoted to meditations that help us develop and cultivate the mind of kindness, friendship and compassion towards all beings. During the guided meditation, we will practice embracing ourselves and others with thoughts of unconditional kindness, compassion, and support, and then to extend those feelings with well wishes for peace, happiness and an end to suffering for everyone in the world.

It has long been part of Buddhist tradition to honor and celebrate the arrival of the full moon. Legend has it that Shakyamuni Buddha was born under a full moon, arrived at his enlightenment under a full moon, and passed into paranirvana under a full moon. In Zen the full moon reminds us of our Buddha nature or our essential wholeness and completeness.

Our Full Moon Loving Kindness and Compassion evening will be from 7:30 – 8:45 pm. The evening will include guided loving kindness and compassion meditations, a short talk, and recitation of the Metta (Lovingkindness) Sutra and/or other music and altruistic readings.

We encourage everyone in the Tampa Bay vicinity to experience the richness of practicing together, in-person in our Meditation Hall. There is no need to register ahead of time. Please familiarize yourself with our FCM Health Protocols and plan to arrive by 7:15 pm.

If joining us online, the link to Zoom is below. The event is suitable for both beginners and experienced meditators. There is no formal advance registration; simply join us online on the Sangha Line shortly before 7:30 pm.

Zoom Links for FCM Sangha Line
Video Link https://us02web.zoom.us/j/3296243465?pwd=bUo1aFVQblhhbUFpZmZTci9EK0daZz09

Dial-In # 1-646-558-8656
Meeting ID# 329 624 3465

Death Café (02 Sep 2026)

Wed, 02 Sep 2026 23:00:00 GMT

Please note: FCM Members can access the Death Cafe web page and the Zoom links by clicking here.

Awareness of death and its inevitability is a key part of our Buddhist practice and yet the awareness often fades into the background with our busy lives. Death Cafes at FCM will be monthly drop-in opportunities to talk with other FCM members about death and dying. They will be held on the first Wednesday of each month from 7:00 to 8:30 pm via Zoom.

Participating in Death Cafes will help members deepen their personal awareness of death, normalize conversations about death within our community, and make it easier to talk with our families and friends about this “elephant in the living room” fact of life.

Through deep sharing and listening and open ended discussion, we will be able to reflect on the subjects of impermanence and death, and talk about whatever is on our minds, including our concerns, fears, questions and insights surrounding the topic of end of life.

Death Cafes have become a widespread phenomena in Europe, America and Australia. Based on the work of Bernard Crettaz, a Swiss sociologist and anthropologist, and championed by Jon Underwood in England, the basic idea of Death Cafes is that it is extremely valuable to simply talk about death. One of our members, Marilyn Warlick will be the FCM Death Cafe facilitator.

The group will meet the first Wednesday of each month on Zoom. You can drop-in to a Death Cafe for a one time experience or plan to come each month to talk about the important topic of death and dying. Please note that the group gatherings are intended as discussion groups rather than as grief support or counseling sessions. Please join us!

If you have any questions, please contact Marilyn at marilynruth21@gmail.com.

Introduction to Mindfulness and Meditation | A Four-Week Class (06 Sep 2026)

Sun, 06 Sep 2026 17:00:00 GMT

with Dani Hall and Bill MacMillen

Do you live in your thoughts about the past or worries about the future? Do your emotions often cause stress and confusion? Do you get carried away by dramas.

Introduction to Mindfulness and Meditation is a four-week course designed to support the practice of mindfulness, helping us develop the skills and attention to be fully present to our lives in the present moment, and to touch each moment deeply. It is intended for those new to mindfulness and meditation, as well as for those who want to review the basics and establish a more consistent daily mindfulness and meditation practice. The course includes basic instruction as well as an exploration of practical ways to bring mindfulness into daily activities.

Learning Objectives:

Systematically explore mindfulness of breathing, the body and physical sensations through sitting and walking meditation and the body scan practice.
Establish and maintain a daily meditation practice.
Practice mindful meditation to explore the emotions, thoughts, and overall awareness.
Apply mindfulness to difficult emotions and thoughts to avoid getting caught up in dramas.
Cultivate daily meditation and mindfulness practices so that mindfulness becomes an integral part of your daily life.

This four-week course will begin on Sunday, September 6, 13, 20 & 27 from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. Classes will be held in-person. The cost is $75 for all four sessions. If you have questions, please contact us at info@floridamindfulness.org.

Dani Hall joined the Florida Community of Mindfulness in 2019 and embraced the Five Mindfulness Trainings in 2021. As an Order of Interbeing (OI) aspirant and Selfless Service Coordinator, Dani actively integrates mindfulness into daily life. With passions for regenerative gardening, creating Florida native wildlife habitats, and developing food forests, Dani embodies a deep commitment to spiritual growth, environmental stewardship, and mindful living.

Bill Mac Millen has been a practitioner with the Florida Community of Mindfulness and a student of FCM's teacher Fred Eppsteiner since 2013. Aspiring to be of service to the community, he is on the Leadership Council overseeing the area of Center Care, a member of Thich Nhat Hahn's Order of Interbeing (OI), and assists in leading a number of FCM offerings to both members and guests.

Introduction to Spirituality and the Spiritual Path | A half-day workshop for those new to mindfulness, meditation, and a ‘spiritual life’ (12 Sep 2026)

Sat, 12 Sep 2026 13:00:00 GMT

With Fred Eppsteiner

Aromatherapy, astrology, veganism, belief in past lives, yoga, meditation, singing bowls—while each may offer genuine benefits, do these activities by themselves constitute a spiritual life? Does engaging in them necessarily make us spiritual? Or is a spiritual path defined less by the activities we adopt and more by how we understand and transform our hearts and minds?

In this half-day workshop, Fred will explore what “spirituality” has historically meant from the perspective of those who sought deeper meaning in life. We will consider the true purpose of the spiritual path, what makes an activity genuinely transformative, and how authentic spiritual practices can move our life away from personal suffering and ego-centricity, enrichour capacity to be present to others, and help us becomehappier and freer.

In this workshop, Fred will address among others these subjects:

What does it really mean to be ‘spiritual’ or to lead a spiritual life?
What really is a spiritual path, and what is the difference between practicing a spiritual path, following a religion, or following a faith-based path?
What is the difference between an enlightened and an unenlightened mind?
What is the role of questioning and doubt on a spiritual path, and is a teacher or guide necessary?
How much foundation or preparation does one need before walking a spiritual path, and what is spiritual bypassing?

There will be opportunities for participants to ask Fred questions, especially challenging ones.

Logistics

The workshop is open to everyone, with a cost is $15. If you have questions, please contact us at info@floridamindfulness.org. This workshop will be offered both in-person and online.

Workshop Leader

Our teacher Fred Eppsteiner will be using his training as a family therapist, plus his experience as a meditation and Dharma teacher, to create a challenging and opening environment for workshop participants to learn practical and easily applicable means to facilitate the workshop’s goals. Theoretical and psychological presentations, mindfulness practice, and guided experiential meditations will all be utilized during the workshop.

Fred has been a student of the psychology of Buddhist meditation for over 40 years, and was a psychotherapist for more than 30 years. He has trained extensively in the Buddhist meditative traditions of the U.S. and Asia. He received permission to teach from Thich Nhat Hanh in 1994 and is the editor of two books: The Path of Compassion and Interbeing.

Half-Day of Mindfulness (9 am - 12:30 pm) with Bryan Hindert (19 Sep 2026)

Sat, 19 Sep 2026 13:00:00 GMT

FCM's Days of Mindfulness are offered both In-Person at the Tampa Practice Center and Online. Whether you are a new or experienced meditator, our Days of Mindfulness are an opportunity to support and deepen the practice of mindfulness and meditation, and nourish the seeds of well being, inner peace and openness in our lives.

This Half-Day of Mindfulness will be a chance for all of us to put down the busyness of our lives and to relax, refresh, and renew with the healing energy of mindfulness. The day is an opportunity to experiment with letting go of our stories and dramas about our lives and the world. Instead we will practice simply be present to, and nourished by, our actual experience in the present moment.

We encourage everyone in the Tampa Bay vicinity to experience the richness of practicing together, in-person in our Meditation Hall. Please familiarize yourself with our FCM Health Protocols and plan to arrive by 8:30 am.

If joining us online, the link to Zoom information will be provided once you register. We provide guidance to help you make the experience at home as close as possible to an experience in the Meditation Hall.

When you register indicate your choice of participation In-Person or Online. While there is no fee for participation, the traditional practice of Dana (generosity) is appreciated. Please register to receive important information about your In-Person or Online Zoom attendance.

If you have any questions please contact Rita Cathey at ritaanna727@gmail.com

Awakening to Life: Fulfilling our Human Potential | A Three-Day Retreat (24 Sep 2026)

Thu, 24 Sep 2026 21:00:00 GMT

With Fred Eppsteiner

Dates: September 24 - 27
Retreat Application Deadline: August 27
Suitability

This retreat is open to persons (member and non-members) who have attended a retreat with FCM or another Buddhist group in the past. First time retreatants are encouraged to attend one of FCM ’s weekend retreats.

Please note that your retreat application does NOT guarantee acceptance into the retreat. Participants will be notified of acceptance by August 31.

Description

Driven by historical habit patterns, caught up in our thoughts and emotions, and easily distracted, we may discover that there is a gap between the person we want to be and the way we actually show up in our lives. Although we aspire to have greater peace, purpose, and deeper connections, we may find that our habitual tendencies and reactivity can easily pull us off course.

In this retreat we will aim to bridge this gap with practical, down-to-earth, and time-tested tools. Fred will share teachings, meditations, and reflections to help us quiet the mental noise, break out of reactive patterns, and live a life of intention. We will learn how to stay present in all our varied relationships and to confidently navigate life’s inevitable ups and downs without losing our footing.

The goal of this Awakening to Life retreat is for participants to realize that it is possible to stay deeply connected to our aspirations of the heart while simultaneously being fully engaged with our daily lives.

Join us for three days of insightful guidance, supportive group practice, and wholesome nurturance.

Retreat Leader

Fred Eppsteiner has been a student of the psychology of Buddhist meditation for over 50 years and was a psychotherapist for more than 30 years. He has trained extensively in the Buddhist meditative traditions of the U.S. and Asia. He received permission to teach from Thich Nhat Hanh in 1994 and is the editor of two books: The Path of Compassion and Interbeing. He is the founding teacher of the Florida Community of Mindfulness.

Fees

The fees are $270 for overnighters and $210 for commuters. The registration fee will be fully refunded to those not admitted to the retreat.

FCM aspires to support the retreat experience for all who are on this path, and thus retreat scholarships are available and encouraged if it would support your participation. Please click here to see FCM ’s Retreat Scholarship Policy and for an application, which needs to be submitted prior to the registration deadline for this retreat.

The Retreat Manager will be sending additional information to registrants closer to the retreat start date.

Retreat Logistics

The retreat will begin with orientation and dinner at 5:00 pm on Thursday, September 24 and end after lunch on Sunday, September 27.

Please note:

The deadline for applying for this retreat is August 27.

We will send a retreat acceptance letter by August 31 with additional information to help you prepare for retreat.

The full fee will then be due by September 7, otherwise the spot will be given to another applicant.

Please click here to read FCM's Retreat Cancellation Policy.

If you are not familiar with our campus, you may enjoy this short video tour.

New to retreating with FCM? Please visit our FAQs page.

The teachings are offered in the Buddhist tradition of Dana, wherein the teachers freely give of themselves to the students out of gratitude for what they ’ve received from their teachers and a desire to be of service. The student’s response is also based on Dana, i.e., generosity that naturally flows from a sense of appreciation of the value of Dharma and gratitude to the living lineage.

Questions?
Please contact Rita at ritaanna727@gmail.com for any logistical questions.

Full Moon Loving Kindness and Compassion Meditation (26 Sep 2026)

Sat, 26 Sep 2026 23:30:00 GMT

Zoom Links for FCM Sangha Line
Video Link https://us02web.zoom.us/j/3296243465?pwd=bUo1aFVQblhhbUFpZmZTci9EK0daZz09

Dial-In # 1-646-558-8656
Meeting ID# 329 624 3465

FCM Sangha Picnic! Family and Friends Welcome (10 Oct 2026)

Sat, 10 Oct 2026 15:00:00 GMT

Save the Date!

Half-Day of Mindfulness (9 am - 12:30 pm) with David Braasch (17 Oct 2026)

Sat, 17 Oct 2026 13:00:00 GMT

FCM's Days of Mindfulness are offered both In-Person at the Tampa Practice Center and Online. Whether you are a new or experienced meditator, our Days of Mindfulness are an opportunity to support and deepen the practice of mindfulness and meditation, and nourish the seeds of well being, inner peace and openness in our lives.

This Half-Day of Mindfulness will be a chance for all of us to put down the busyness of our lives and to relax, refresh, and renew with the healing energy of mindfulness. The day is an opportunity to experiment with letting go of our stories and dramas about our lives and the world. Instead we will practice simply be present to, and nourished by, our actual experience in the present moment.

We encourage everyone in the Tampa Bay vicinity to experience the richness of practicing together, in-person in our Meditation Hall. Please familiarize yourself with our FCM Health Protocols and plan to arrive by 8:30 am.

If joining us online, the link to Zoom information will be provided once you register. We provide guidance to help you make the experience at home as close as possible to an experience in the Meditation Hall.

When you register indicate your choice of participation In-Person or Online. While there is no fee for participation, the traditional practice of Dana (generosity) is appreciated. Please register to receive important information about your In-Person or Online Zoom attendance.

If you have any questions please contact Rita Cathey at ritaanna727@gmail.com

Introduction to Mindfulness and Meditation | A Two-Week Class (24 Oct 2026)

Sat, 24 Oct 2026 12:30:00 GMT

with John McHarris and Raven Dreifus-Kofron

Do you live in your thoughts about the past or worries about the future? Do your emotions often cause stress and confusion? Do you get carried away by dramas.

Learning Objectives:

Systematically explore mindfulness of breathing, the body and physical sensations through sitting and walking meditation and the body scan practice.
Establish and maintain a daily meditation practice.
Practice mindful meditation to explore the emotions, thoughts, and overall awareness.
Apply mindfulness to difficult emotions and thoughts to avoid getting caught up in dramas.
Cultivate daily meditation and mindfulness practices so that mindfulness becomes an integral part of your daily life.

This two-week course will be on Saturday, October 24 & 31 from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Classes will be held in-person. The cost is $75 for both sessions. If you have questions, please contact us at info@floridamindfulness.org.

John McHarris is a Dharma Instructor with the Florida Community of Mindfulness. He has been a student of FCM's teacher Fred Eppsteiner since 2011. John completed FCM's three year Dharma Transmission Group program, and is an ordained member of the Order of Interbeing. He has Co-led various FCM offerings such as the Introduction to Mindfulness and Meditation class, FCM Intensives, and Days of Mindfulness. Although based in Naples, he's also a part-time Tampa resident; in conjunction with FCM's Residency program.

Raven Dreifus-Kofron, as a seeker learning about different paths, was curious about Mindfulness and found the Florida Community of Mindfulness in 2018. She was drawn to the leadership, community, and common sense tools and skills, and joined right away. Since joining FCM, she is active helping and coordinating New Membership, Sangha Building, Teas, Dinners, Spiritual Friends groups, Thanksgiving and other selfless service opportunities. Her career included advertising, corporate communications and corporate recruitment. She has also been practicing Sadhguru’s Isha Yoga and meditation for eighteen years and loves the congruence of the messages. In addition to her practices, she enjoys time with friends, the beach, and buying and selling vintage/retro. Raven, her husband Keith, and dog Leela, live in Brandon.

Full Moon Loving Kindness and Compassion Meditation (26 Oct 2026)

Mon, 26 Oct 2026 23:30:00 GMT

Zoom Links for FCM Sangha Line
Video Link https://us02web.zoom.us/j/3296243465?pwd=bUo1aFVQblhhbUFpZmZTci9EK0daZz09

Dial-In # 1-646-558-8656
Meeting ID# 329 624 3465

Nature Walk with FCM member Dani Hall for members and guests (31 Oct 2026)

Sat, 31 Oct 2026 04:00:00 GMT

Save the Date

Day of Mindfulness (9 am - 4 pm) with Fred Eppsteiner (07 Nov 2026)

Sat, 07 Nov 2026 14:00:00 GMT

FCM's Days of Mindfulness are offered both In-Person at the Tampa Practice Center and Online. Whether you are a new or experienced meditator, our Days of Mindfulness are an opportunity to support and deepen the practice of mindfulness and meditation, and nourish the seeds of well being, inner peace and openness in our lives.

The day will be a chance for all of us to put down the busyness of our lives and to relax, refresh, and renew with the healing energy of mindfulness. The day is an opportunity to experiment with letting go of our stories and dramas about our lives and the world. Instead we will practice simply be present to, and nourished by, our actual experience in the present moment. The theme of this Day of Mindfulness with Fred will be Emotional Healing and Transformation.

We encourage everyone in the Tampa Bay vicinity to experience the richness of practicing together, in-person in our Meditation Hall. Please familiarize yourself with our FCM Health Protocols and plan to arrive by 8:30 am. Please bring your own vegetarian lunch. Water and tea will be provided.

If joining us online, the link to Zoom information will be provided once you register. We provide guidance to help you make the experience at home as close as possible to an experience in the Meditation Hall.

When you register indicate your choice of participation In-Person or Online. While there is no fee for participation, the traditional practice of Dana (generosity) is appreciated. Please register to receive important information about your In-Person or Online Zoom attendance.

If you have any questions please contact Rita Cathey at ritaanna727@gmail.com.

Full Moon Loving Kindness and Compassion Meditation (24 Nov 2026)

Wed, 25 Nov 2026 00:30:00 GMT

Zoom Links for FCM Sangha Line
Video Link https://us02web.zoom.us/j/3296243465?pwd=bUo1aFVQblhhbUFpZmZTci9EK0daZz09

Dial-In # 1-646-558-8656
Meeting ID# 329 624 3465

[Self-Paced] The Four Thoughts That Turn The Mind Toward Dharma | Enroll Anytime (31 Dec 2099)

Thu, 31 Dec 2099 14:00:00 GMT

Dates
This is a Self-Paced Course for members of FCM—Enroll Anytime and Complete on Your Schedule
Suitability
Members at any stage of practice, from beginner to more experienced, who wish to establish a strong foundation of "Right View" for practicing on the Buddhist path. If you are not a member, joining is easy! Click here for more information.

Description

The Four Thoughts that Turn the Mind Toward Dharma - Precious Human Life, Impermanence, Defects of Samsara, and Cause and Effect - are an essential foundational teaching in Buddhist practice. Without a deep understanding and integration of these teachings, we will not build the strong foundation needed to support our continued development on the spiritual path.

In this five-module course, our study and contemplation of the Four Thoughts will guide us in turning away from the distractions of samsara—the endless cycle of suffering—and toward the path of genuine liberation. When understood deeply and practiced sincerely, these reflections have the power to illuminate the mind with wisdom, dissolving the delusions and misunderstandings that give rise to suffering.

This 5-part, self-guided, pre-recorded audio course will help you to::

Gain both an intellectual understanding of the Four Thoughts and a heartfelt recognition of the nature of existence.
Learn how to reflect on these contemplations and bring them into our life experiences.
Awaken a sense of clarity and urgency about why we practice the Dharma.
Be inspired to turn our minds toward the Dharma so that we can focus on what truly matters and begin to align our lives with wisdom and compassion.

The course includes recorded talks by FCM's founding teacher Fred Eppsteiner, readings, guided meditations, reflection questions, and suggested practice opportunities. A participant Discussion Forum is also provided for sharing insights with the course mentors and other participants in the course.

This course is open to members of the Florida Community of Mindfulness (click here for more information about membership and to join). It is a Self-Paced course, conducted entirely online, with access to a Course Mentor. Total expected time to complete the course is estimated at 15-25 hours, but participants complete the course on their own schedule.
Course Instructors
Fred Eppsteiner has been a student of the psychology of Buddhist meditation for over 50 years and was a psychotherapist for more than 30 years. He has trained extensively in the Buddhist meditative traditions the U.S. and Asia. He received permission to teach from Thich Nhat Hanh in 1994 and is the editor of two books: The Path of Compassion and Interbeing. He is the founding teacher of the Florida Community of Mindfulness.
Fees

This course if offered on a donation-basis for FCM members. Members select an amount, if any, that they would like to offer to support future programs at FCM.

Contacts for More Information
If you have any questions about this course or whether it is appropriate for you, please e-mail us at info@floridamindfulness.org or call 813-237-0746.