Exploring Realistic Standards for Community Practice
Comparing Monastic & Community Level Practice
A One Day Retreat with SIM Founding Teacher Dennis Warren
The historical Buddha created different models of practice. One for monastics – nuns and monks – and another for community level practitioners with families whose lives are filled with obligations and responsibilities.
The practice approach we’re developing here in the West is an attempt to blend these two models. We are studying and practicing from teachings that were, for the most part, intended for monastics. These individuals were engaged in intense, deep and sophisticated practices in protected environments shielded from most of the pressures, stresses and responsibilities each of us routinely face every day. The monastic model, as well, did not involve responsibility for addressing the real-life social, economic, family and political conditions that contribute so substantially to the stress of community level practitioners.
This one-day retreat will examine the different models of practice offered by the historical Buddha. It will explore questions about, and the implications of, our attempt to blend them into a new western model. Our goal for the day will be a relaxed discussion that will help each of us establish realistic standards for our individual practices informed by historical context.
Dennis will also discuss a new 2020 SIM course entitled “Living and Practicing on the Other Side of Suffering” that is directly related to issues that will be raised during this one-day.
DENNIS WARREN is SIM’s Founding Teacher and has been teaching mindfulness, meditation and contemplative practices since 1998. He recently completed his 11th year as a Volunteer Clinical Professor in Mindfulness in the Division of Pain Medicine at the UC Davis School of Medicine and Medical Center. He is certified as a Mindfulness Teacher, Professional Level (CMT-P), by the International Mindfulness Teachers Association. He is a graduate of the professional trainings in Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction and Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy for Depression. He also is a graduate of the Spirit Rock Medication Center’s Dharma leaders training program. You can learn more about Dennis’ background and activities at https://www.denniswarren.net/ .
Dennis has been participating in residential meditation retreats, and has maintained a daily meditation practice, in the Theravadan Buddhist tradition for over 30 years. 2018 was his 20th year of teaching Insight Meditation and mindfulness practices in residential, retreat, educational, medical, corporate and community settings. In 2007 and 2014, Dennis led month long pilgrimages and moving retreats in Thailand, India and Nepal. A third is being planned for late 2021.
Sacramento Insight Meditation events are sustained by the generosity of instructors in offering teachings freely and on the generosity of students and members of the meditative community in the form of financial support, service and participation in events. With our practice of dana, we support our Sangha. If you prefer to make a donation for this event online using a credit card or PayPal account, click here to DONATE ONLINE.
Summary of Important Dates
- 10/28/2019 – Registration opens.
- 12/27/2019 – Registration via this website will close at 4:00 pm. After this time, please register in person at least 15 minutes before the retreat begins.
- 12/28/2019 – Attend and enjoy the wonderful retreat.
Registration Details
Registration is $15.00 per person due before the start of the event. If you are able and interested in further supporting SIM financially, you have the option of a registration fee of either $25 or $35 dollars. To pay the registration fee online, use the “Tickets” section at the bottom of this page. It’s not necessary to Log in before purchasing and you won’t need to print the ticket on paper. On the left side, specify the number of people you are registering to this retreat. On the right side, click the button “Buy now” and you’ll be automatically directed to a secure webpage where your registration payment can be made by credit card as a guest (no PayPal account required) or payment can be made by PayPal after you sign-in to your PayPal account if you have one.
For the registration fee, we accept checks and cash. No one will be turned away for lack of funds; please contact the registrar for more information. Day-of registration will be on a first-come first-serve basis, contingent on availability of space.
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Volunteer Opportunities
It “takes a village” to put on a large event for our community. If you would be available to assist in set-up, take-down, tea service, providing flowers or other duties for the event, please contact the retreat registrar for more information..
Questions for the Registrar?
If you need to contact the retreat registrar with any questions, click here.