When we understand that experience is not solid and not separate in the ways it normally appears (Emptiness), we can embrace experience in its changing conditions with the heart of compassion and inclusion born of non-clinging (Suchness). This offers us the freedom to respond with wisdom and care to the challenges we experience in ourselves and in the world, rather than reacting out of habitual conditioning. As we release reactivity, we uncover our inherent capacities for joy, connection and creative responses.
With a strong intention to gather together a group of experienced practitioners, we will have the conditions to take a deep dive into the teachings and direct experience of Emptiness and Suchness over the course of this online weekend retreat. You will be invited to deepen your explorations on the themes through teachings, guided meditations, inquiry, daily life instructions, and discussion with the teacher.
Specific areas for exploration include the interface between Emptiness-Suchness relating to:
- The physical body
- The sense of self
- Mental-emotional activity
- Objects at the six sense doors
- External phenomenon
Teachings and practices will be offered from the perspective of the Southern Thai Forest tradition connected with the MahaSati Emptiness-Awareness teachings Heather has offered at BCBS previously. For more information about MahaSati Emptiness-Awareness, which Heather teaches, please visit www.mahasati.info.
To support deepening practice, there will be daily opportunities to ask questions about the teachings and practices as well as an option to sign up for a small group meeting with the teacher for 24 of the registered participants.
Please try to attend this event as an intensive immersion retreat, taking time off from work, and not scheduling social engagements during this retreat time. This will create the conditions for you to deepen into emptiness and suchness.
