Mindfulness & Trauma: Healing Our Wounds with Wisdom and Compassion

Mindfulness & Trauma: Healing Our Wounds with Wisdom and Compassion
 
with Dr. Paul Epstein
 
Sunday, September 22nd, 2019 | 10:00am – 5:00pm
 

 

“One does not become enlightened by imagining figures of light, but by making the darkness conscious.” ~ Carl Jung

Traumatic experience exists on a broad continuum. Most of us have experienced some form of trauma in our lives, to greater or lesser degrees. Everyone is exposed to trauma in life, either through their own experience, or witnessing the experiences of others. This is Dukkha, the truth of suffering, the first of the 4 noble truths. This concept is at the heart of the Buddha’s teaching.

In this retreat, we’ll explore the pain and suffering that arises from unresolved, unprocessed trauma. What is unprocessed can, and does, show up in our bodies, minds, hearts and spirit in our daily lives and in our meditation practice.

We’ll learn and practice how can we work with, and be with, the difficult and challenging sensations, thoughts and afflictive emotions that comprise the ongoing effects of trauma. Emotions such as fear, shame, anger, guilt and grief can be overwhelming, and often resistance to those feelings naturally arises as protective, conditioned and reactive avoidance. We have a variety of coping mechanisms that cause us to run away from and avoid these feelings instead of facing them directly. Yet, the only way out… is through.

In this day long experiential retreat we’ll focus on the healing power of mindfulness and compassion and apply those practices to the process of healing our wounds. We’ll explore skillful means and mindful strategies that bring us a sense of safety, loving kindness, clarity and connection. From that place we are able to greet and welcome our emotional experience directly with courage, confidence, calm, unconditional presence and acceptance.

In this context, the healing journey meets the spiritual path, as our experience of trauma itself becomes the opportunity and fuel for deep awakening and transformation. As we shift our relationship and approach to our pain, we set out on a path that leads to liberation and freedom from suffering.

** Note: While mindfulness and compassion practices are effective for healing and working with trauma, they are not being taught (or encouraged to be used) in place of therapy.

Registration:

Please register at the highest level that your generosity offers.
Explanations of levels follow below.

Registration Fees include Teacher Support

New York Insight Meditation Center has streamlined the registration fee levels. Members of our Circle of Friends are eligible to receive 20% off of the Sustaining Rate via a code provided in the email confirming membership, which you can enter after clicking the Sustaining Level registration.

*Benefactor Level: Supports NYI’s ability to offer the Subsidized Base.

**Sustaining Level: This level reflects the actual costs to support this program. Circle of Friends members eligible for 20% discount with code. Click here to join.

***Subsidized Base: Made possible by the generosity of Benefactor Level above and other donations to ensure participation by those requiring financial assistance.
 
If you have questions about your registration (cancellation policy, membership discount, email confirmation, etc.), please read our FAQs. If your question is not addressed in the FAQs, please email [email protected].

If you are unable to pay the Subsidized Base Fee, you can learn about volunteering to offer work exchange and letting us know how much you are able to pay for this program by emailing [email protected].