Remembering Death

Waterdrop

 

Saturday, February 4, 2012

 

Robert Beatty

 

Portland Insight Meditation Center

 

 

Robert Beatty

is the founder and guiding teacher of the Portland Insight Meditation Community. He brings 40 years of Buddhist Dharma practice and decades of practice as a therapist to his teaching. Robert is a member of the first wave of lay Theravada Buddhist teachers who brought Buddhism from Asia to America. Robert uses humor, poetry and drumming to teach meditation for everyday life, including intimate relationships, parenting, work, and community. 

 



Blue Buddha


 

 

 

 

Of all ploughing,  

ploughing in the autumn is supreme.

Of all footprints, the elephant's is supreme.

Of all perceptions,  

remembering death and impermanence

is supreme.

 

Buddha 

 

 

Dear Friends

 

Being alive as a separate person is one end of a polarity which includes death. We do our best to deny the reality of this truth. Much of the anxiety that we experience during our lifetime arises from this unconscious fear of death.  We and our loved ones may be healthy today, but we know in the back of our minds that sickness or death will soon be with us. There is also a shadowy intuition that accidental death is but a moment away. 

 

 The contemplation of death occupies a central and honored place in Buddhist meditative training. Some people, when they hear of this, imagine that such reflections must result in a morbid and depressed outlook on life. Quite to the contrary however, when we openly face the previously unconscious fears, a new aliveness, joy, and recognition of the preciousness of each moment emerges.

 

During this day of practice, in the supportive community of PIMC, we will use mindfulness to bring stability and clarity to the mind. With this foundation we will turn our reflections to a variety of contemplations of death.    

 

Our exploration will include viewing the video:

 Consider the Conversation: A Documentary on a Taboo Subject.

 

Each participant will have the opportunity to complete an advanced directive, which provides guidance for end of life care.  Suggestions of how to continue the exploration following the workshop will be provided.  

 

We will look carefully and honestly at life and death, with the intention of living and loving more fully.

.   

 

Location: Portland Insight Meditation Center 

  

Date: February 4, 2012  9 - 4:30.

    

Suggested Fee: $45 (See registration form for self-prescribed scholarshiip)

 

Registration: Please register in advance online.  

 

 

Information/registration questions:     


                ----------------------------------------

 

 

To register by mail, please complete the form below and mail to PIMC, 6536 SE Duke, Portland, OR 97206.

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