Sitting in the Fire: Awakening Through Speech and Relationship

Instructor(s): Nolitha Tsengiwe, Oren Jay Sofer

Program Description:

As social beings, our lives are inextricably interwoven. The Buddha emphasized the immense power of social harmony, spiritual friendship, and wise speech as factors conducive to awakening. During this weekend-long program , we will explore Dhamma teachings and relational practices that foster peace, clarity, and compassion both internally and externally.

An integral part of this three-day program will be the practice of wise speech, a skillful vehicle for expressing the Dhamma fully into our whole lives. We will study, contemplate and practice the Buddha’s teachings using Nonviolent Communication and restorative dialogue practices to explore suffering and transformation on personal, interpersonal, and social levels. These interpersonal practices bring the insight and tranquility of traditional Buddhist meditation into our interactions with others. Through an attentive weaving of dialogue practice, silent mindfulness and kindness meditation, mindful movement, and time in nature, we will deepen the essential qualities that support living in this complex relational world with clarity, integrity, and compassion.

Noble Silence:

Noble silence will be observed following each evening session through breakfast the following morning.

Prerequisites:

Experience sitting a silent meditation retreat of four days or longer, plus familiarity with social justice issues and/or Nonviolent Communication. This might include having attended classes, workshops, engaged in activism, reading, or self-study.

About the Instructor(s):
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  Nolitha Tsengiwe

  Nolitha is a guiding teacher at Dharmagiri KZN, South Africa and is a graduate of the IMS 4 year teacher training program. She is currently a recognized facilitator and a teacher in development for the Insight Dialogue Community. She co-facilitates Insight Dialogue and Dharma Contemplation practices online. Nolitha facilitates racial healing work with Insight Dialogue.

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  Oren Jay Sofer

  Oren Jay Sofer has practiced meditation in the Theravada Buddhist tradition since 1997. He holds a degree in Comparative Religion from Columbia University, is a Somatic Experiencing Practitioner for healing trauma, is a Certified Nonviolent Communication Trainer, and is a Spirit Rock Teachers’ Council member. Oren is the Founder of Next Step Dharma and author of several books including, Say What You Mean: A Mindful Approach to Nonviolent Communication and the forthcoming title, Your Heart Was Made for This.