Circling and Emotions Retreat: July 23-28

751 Page Road,Lowell VT 05847

23 July, 2021

Description

Embark on a relational journey weaving together silent meditation and Circling (interpersonal meditation). Circling & Emotional Mastery Retreat Join the Monastic Academy for a weeklong deepdive into the relational world of Circling and Emotional Mastery. In this transformative weeklong retreat (in person, hugs included) we will leverage practices across many disciplines to help you: Discover and train in mindful ways of relatingConnect in more productive, fruitful, and engaged ways Enhance your capabilities to discern, embody, process and integrate your emotions to live a more fulfilling life. Discover relational blind spots and process stuck emotional patterns (trauma) to move toward freedom and healing with our supportive monastic communityLearn to incorporate embodied ethics in your life to thrive with more meaning, purpose and effective leadership. The Retreat ProgramRetreatants will learn about the Monastic Academy’s 5 Pillars of Emotional Mastery. The first 2 days will include training in the skills necessary for skillful emotional processing. The following 3 days will emphasize circling practice and games to cultivate connection, skills and insight. However, programming will be dynamically adaptive and flexible to the needs and flow of the group. Monastic Academy’s 5 Pillars of Emotional Mastery**In this training we will offer tools to work in all five of these dimensions: though we will primarily work with 2-3 during the week. 1. Cultivating Well-Being via Samadhi & Embodiment Practice Unprocessed and unnoticed emotions can hinder one's meditation practice. We will explore various meditation and energy body techniques to move through emotional blockages into enhanced awareness and presence. 2. Emotional Healing Processing painful stored emotions (e.g. Bio-emotive Framework and Internal Family Systems ) can harmonize fragmented and disowned parts of the psyche. By healing our psyche in this we gain more freedom, happiness and equanimity. Warning: these workshops are extremely powerful but will also push you towards uncomfortable edges. We aim to provide a compassionate and nurturing container that is also sometimes sharp and uncompromising. If you have any concerns about destabilization or you are not seeking such intense training then we advise you to not participate in this program.3. Connecting & Relating to Others Through Circling (interpersonal meditation) we will practice the art of seeing and being seen in relationships. We will learn how to be with others in their emotional experience, their joy and sorrow, in ways that lead to intimacy, healing, and trustworthy friendship. 4. Embodied Ethics Emotions reveal what we care about in life, what we deeply value. We will learn how emotions, as they become purified and healed, become a guide on the path of service and leadership. 5. Wisdom & Insight Like all phenomena, emotions are fabricated by the mind and are empty of inherent existence. With meditative training we can learn to let go of emotional activity and discover the deepest peace that a human being is capable of. Often the most powerful transformations are found in the dimensions that we’ve neglected or turned away from. Throughout the week you’ll be encouraged and supported to explore the dimensions of emotional maturity that feel most alive in your developmental journey. Interested but not sure about signing up yet? Want to attend future events but can't make this one? If you want to learn more, feel free to email us at [email protected] What is Circling?Circling is the practice of discovering and training new mindful ways of relating with others. The practice is done with others in pairs, small groups, and large groups. We practice directly the art of seeing and being seen in relationship for who we are without needing to earn attention or be any different than we are in this moment. We come into direct contact with the dynamics that underlie relationships and use this rich interpersonal space to glean relational blind spots, freedom, and healing. Often by dropping our views and slipping deeper into the immediate experience of relationships, a doorway to a world beyond words opens, offering a taste of transcendence. Circling is also a wonderful way to integrate and bring our mindfulness practice off of the cushion into everyday relationships. Rather than falling back into small talk or habitual ways of relating, we can identify, name, and explore what's present right here in connection. As a practice, the more we circle, the more we learn how to bring this same level of presence and connection to all of our daily relationships—such as friends, family, partners, and clients—and inspire others to join you. This connecting yet challenging practice of Circling will be complemented by Emotional processing and integration techniques. This will be a time of deep practice where the days will be long, rigorous, and rewarding. Furthermore, the contemplative community and beautiful surroundings of the Academy allow for a safe, trustworthy space for people to see new ways of being and relating. Price$1,500.00 for a double room $1,200.00 for a shared communal room *If a ticket is sold out, please email [email protected] to be added to a wait list.* *Cost of the program, room, and board is included in prices above.* For those unable to attend due to financial need, please contact [email protected]. There are limited discounted tickets available but no free tickets. Please contact us if you need customized start and end days. Getting HereWe are located at 751 Page Road, Lowell VT 05847. The closest airport, Burlington International Airport, is about 90 minutes away. We will run a limited, optional shuttle service to and from the airport on Friday, July 23rd and Wednesday, July 28th. Pick-up will be 3pm on July 23rd and drop-off will be by 5pm on July 28th. Teachers / FacilitatorsSeveral experienced facilitators will be leading the week alongside the Monastic Academy residents serving support. Daniel Ryūshin Thorson joined the Monastic Academy in order to become a person who can serve the world in a time of crisis and contribute to building an educational institution that can train many more such people. In previous incarnations, Daniel has organized with Occupy Wall Street (in NYC); worked at a company called Buddhist Geeks (it’s what it sounds like); helped start Boulder Flood Relief in the aftermath of the September 2013 Boulder, CO floods (which went on to become an award-winning non-profit); founded a mindfulness education company; launched a new American political party; and spent over 10,000 (awful, wonderful) hours in formal meditation practice. Daniel is the host of the Emerge podcast, which explores the relationship between inner and outer transformation. Daniel is motivated by seeking elegant solutions to complex problems, living in integrity with reality, and questioning everything. Renshin Lauren Lee is a resident at the Monastic Academy. She is certified as a Circling facilitator under Circling Europe's 6-month SAS program. She is currently in her fourth SAS. She has also practiced with other major Circling schools—including with Guy Sengstock, Integral Center, Sara Ness, and Amy Silverman. Autumn Turley spent four years as Assistant Director of Dance Odyssey, a Contact Improvisation class and jam in Santa Cruz, CA. In 2016 - 2017 she began organizing and teaching Contact Improv classes and events across the US and Canada. She now teaches embodiment and movement meditation as part of the ecology of practices at the Monastic Academy. Autumn’s teaching is inspired by her experience studying for ten years under a wide variety of teachers of Contact Improv, Taoist Energy Arts, Spinal Awareness, and Esalen Massage. Disclaimer Please note that this program is not therapy or medicine nor a replacement for therapy or medicine. If you are experiencing mental illness or significant challenges, you may be served better by seeking out a therapist or psychiatrist. Even if you consider yourself mentally and emotionally balanced, this program may not be for you. Most likely this program will be very different than anything you experienced before including other Circling programs given its context within a monastic community. This program is often very intensive as we lean into our triggers and emotional scars to allow us to experience and choose a new response in trustworthy connection with others. While safety and autonomy are values we hold, they are not the primary goal. By participating, you are willing to explore unsafe spaces, unknown spaces, and move beyond one’s regular perception of what’s okay. We ask you please review Circling Europe’s Welcome Letter & Terms of Service as the facilitators at MAPLE are trained under their form of Circling. Testimonials from Past Circling Guests:"My heart was blown wide open during the circling retreat. I experienced an awareness of oneness that I had never known before. I realized that when I have any judgement my awareness becomes slanted and I can not see. I can only truly see through the eye of my heart. The Monastery was beautiful and so clean and I felt good to be there. The food was delicious and all the facilitators and apprentices were warm and welcoming. Peter know each of our names before we even met. I loved the chanting, meditation , breathing, swimming in the cold pond, and eating great warm soup. Incorporating all this in my life will help me be better at everything I do. I'm planning on learning more about circling and I am excited to be closer to my son and understand him better. The circling has also been effective in helping me work with my acupuncture clients." - Sophia "On a few occasions Peter has gently shattered my old reality and shown me a new and undeniable dimension of existence that has been an experience of love, and being seen and known, and accepted. Also because he's taught me skills through circling that have helped me to be more present and loving, and now I can change my own life and other people's lives for the better" - Jennifer "My experience circling at the Monastic Academy was incredible; I was surrounded by caring individuals, skilled teachers and hardworking residents who took great pains to ensure that I felt safe and cared for. I felt so thankful to all of the facilitators. Peter Park demonstrated acute instincts and an ability to "slow things down" to allow individuals to get in touch with the deeper feelings that go beyond surface layers of thoughts and stories. Michael Blas demonstrated deep compassion and a flexibility and openness that encouraged play and genuine expression. ...Similarly, I had a profound shift that I could not have had anywhere else; during one circle, I was able to briefly allow my self-critical inner voice to be present with my experience rather than outside of it, and experienced a feeling of incredible elation and lightness as a result. As I expressed myself from a place of integration rather than division, the others in the circle joined me and were witness to and participants in that experience." - Shannon "I had an incredible life changing experience at the Monastic Academy circling immersion. I clearly saw new insights about my life, work, and relationships. I explored new and deep ways of connecting with others. The impact has been profound afterwards in how I relate to people in my work and life. I'm looking forward to going back and would highly it to others." - Lindsey "The retreat was amazing, eye and heart opening for me! I returned from it changed! It is so healing to be fully received and loved unconditionally with presence for who you truly are." - Catherine "Full of curiosity and interest, I jumped in without many expectations or knowledge of where I was going...I felt at ease to express my feelings and thoughts, but also my needs. I felt like I was offered a safe, loving, and welcoming container, to explore my experience, whatever it might be." - Stécie "Wow! What a uniquely special retreat where we can more deeply connect on an authentic level with ourselves and others in a safe environment. I highly recommend this for anyone remotely interested in either meditation or Circling!" - Anonymous Property MAPLE is located at the end of a mile long private driveway that winds high up a hill. Our 123 acres are abundant with wildlife and boasts commanding views out over the Green Mountains with wonderful trails through the woods. Recharge and re-examine your life in this peaceful setting where the trees, the rains, the winds, the sun, the snows, the frogs, and the stars still speak. Facilities Our buildings are newly built with an elegant simplicity. With wood and plenty of light and air throughout they have a comfortable and human feel. The main room is large and serves as our dining room and event space. Two lounges and a loft that are great for reading and relaxing. Accommodations We have rooms with queen beds and single beds. Guests either have their own room or share a room with others. Every room has wonderful views, wood floors, a comfy bed with linens, and shelves for storing personal items. There are shared bathrooms. Food Twice a day we serve simple, healthy, abundant vegan meals. Fragrance-Free Policy: Please be fragrance-free before arriving at the center. Members of our community are very sensitive to fragrance, which is found in personal hygiene products (soaps, shampoo, body wash), clothes washed with most laundry detergents and dryer sheets, and perfume or cologne. Please review this guide and be fragrance-free before arrival. About Us Center for Mindful Learning is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization devoted to developing trustworthy people to create trustworthy culture. MAPLE (Monastic Academy for the Preservation of Life on Earth) is a full-time leadership and meditation residential training program to cultivate leaders who embody wisdom, power, and love for all living things. Visit Us! Come for a guest visit and other programs.Learn about our residential apprenticeships.Check out our new residential membership program where you can participate in the monastic schedule and do your own remote work. Contact Us Email us at [email protected] or call us at: +1 (802) 540-0820 Refund Policy Up until July 13th, 2021 12 AM, you may request a refund minus a $300 non-refundable deposit. This is necessary for us to plan and schedule accordingly the number of guests to anticipate. We will extend full refunds if we cancel or postpone the event, as well as if you are unable to attend due to travel restrictions related to the coronavirus.