Weekthun Musings

When I first began sitting meditation I never envisioned engaging in an entire week devoted to practice.  Personally, it seemed too hard to fathom… how could people settle in to stillness for that extended period?  However, after attending several Shambhala weekend programs over the past two years I found myself wanting to attend a weekthun to deepen my meditation practice and felt I had a foundation that readied me for the experience.  With enthusiastic curiosity I headed to Atlanta for the “Shape of Awake” weekthun led by meditation and Alexander Technique instructor Hope Martin,  and assistant director Shastri Brett Ferrigan.  Weekthun’s have varying emphases and in Atlanta, we were given verbal and hands on guidance regarding meditation posture and recognizing habitual patterns within our mind and body.

The days were filled with sitting and walking meditation, yoga, rota assignments, teachings and noble silence.  During the week I found myself both energized and fatigued while developing a deepening awareness that whatever physical, emotional, or cognitive experience I encounter, it is basically good and ever changing.   For more information on the convergence of the Alexander Technique and meditation go to: hopemartinstudio

Palm Beach Shambhala will be hosting a weekthun June 8th-14th with Dan Philips.  The emphasis of this weekthun will be Meditation in Everyday Life.  Dan Phillips has been practicing meditation in the Shambhala tradition for about 20 years and is a student of Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche.  He is the director of the Atlanta Shambhala Center and teaches the Path of Freedom at the DeKalb Juvenile Justice Center.  He has a keen interest in how the practice of meditation can enrich our lives, especially in the areas of creativity and the development of healthy and compassionate communities. To register go to: MIEL Weekthun