This dharma talk includes a guided forgiveness meditation at the end of the track.
Cultivating Lovingkindness, Compassion and Equanimity
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Tag Archives: mindfulness
June 13 Daylong Meditation Retreat
There’s still time to register for our daylong meditation retreat focusing on cultivating calm presence and lovingkindness. Held at the Nashville Friends House, the cost is $50. Please see full information here.
Flowering Lotus Lovingkindness Retreat Recap
Last weekend I led a lovingkindness retreat at a beautiful retreat center in Magnolia Mississippi, a place I’d never been before. Magnolia is a small town aptly named – the minute we entered the city, blooming magnolias were everywhere. Founded by Dolores Watson about 5 years ago, Flowering Lotus Retreat Center has grown considerably and has hosted teachers such as Phillip Moffitt, David Loy and John Orr. Dolores is a remarkable and energetic woman who so obviously loves the dharma. I first met her last November when she attended my seven day residential retreat here in Middle Tennessee. I wasn’t at all surprised that the care and thought she has put into the center shines through in every detail. She has her own bold and unique style, which I loved.
The experience level for this retreat ranged from four or five people who had never meditated before to several with extensive retreat experience, and everything in between. We focused on lovingkindness (metta) practice for the weekend, which I always appreciate teaching. Watching hearts open and barriers dissolve, seeing people finally realize its ok to offer kindness and love to themselves, is a deeply fulfilling experience for me. I remember how hard it was the first time I tried it many years ago, how I felt guilty and even selfish spending so much time giving metta to myself. But when my heart finally cracked open, I was able to receive and extend love to all beings for the first time. That has stayed with me ever since when I practice metta. At this retreat, as we moved our metta outward to loved ones, family friends, indifferent and difficult people, some at the retreat got a taste of the heart that is not separate from all beings, the heart that can love unconditionally. This is the realm of true compassion. 
May all beings be free from suffering. May they live in equanimity.You Don’t Have to Believe Your Thoughts
by Lisa Ernst
You’ve probably heard that before, right? It sounds pretty simple and maybe sometimes it is, but at other times, nearly impossible. Why? Because for many of us, certain thoughts appear as unassailable “truths,” specific stories about our lives, about ourselves and others. As long as these thoughts operate below our awareness as stealth narratives, they can’t be seen for what they are, impermanent conditions that arise and pass away. We remain bound by these thoughts and they may lead to significant suffering and even depression.
When we identify with a thought or emotion as “I” or “mine,” our boundaries of inside and outside remain intact. There’s me, and then there is the outside world. This is only a perception, but its so strong as to feel solid and real. Buddha taught that this idea of a separate, inherent self is the root of suffering.
As a practice, try asking yourself, “is this thought me; is this thought mine?” You can do the same with emotions. This exercise is not intended to suppress or push away thoughts or emotions, but to allow you to begin seeing them without personal identification. This opens space to perceive the thoughts and experience the emotions as they are. This practice, reflective inquiry, isn’t a form of analysis. You’re letting the question remain open ended, to allow experience itself provide the answer. As you do this, you are opening yourself to the realm of dharma, where customary ideas and everyday perceptions don’t apply. The good news is, you don’t need them as you experience your thoughts and emotions appearing and falling away. Here you can access the heart’s true wisdom.
“When Ajahn Chah said it was possible to learn as much from stupid thoughts as wise ones, that was such a radically different approach. A wise thought arises and ceases. A stupid thought arises and ceases. A painful thought arises and ceases. A painful feeling arises and ceases. A pleasant feeling arises and ceases. I realized I didn’t have to feel ashamed when there was confusion in the mind. Just let it be and know it for what it is. They are all just states of mind, coming and going. Rather than anxiously holding on or to try to make sense of everything all the time, I got a feeling for letting go and letting be.”- Kittissaro, Listening to The Heart.
Dedicated Practitioner Summer Class
5 Session Course Starting June 18, 2015
Thursdays, 7 – 8:30 p.m. at 12 South Dharma Center
Led by Lisa Ernst
This five week practice and study course is designed for committed practitioners and will allow for deeper exploration of the process and practices of meditation and awakening. Patterned on Sprit Rock’s Dedicated Practitioner Program and led by Lisa Ernst, the class will offer specific teaching and practice approaches based on the Noble Eightfold Path. There will be plenty of time for group discussion and interaction. The basic requirements are that everyone attending has an established daily meditation practice, or will re-commit to one, and has attended at least one daylong or longer meditation retreat. Meetings will be held Thursday evenings at the 12 South Dharma Center, 7 – 8:30 p.m.
The class fee is offered on a sliding scale of $125 – $150. Anything you pay above $125 will help toward our scholarship fund. Two reduced fee spots are available in the case of financial need. A deposit of $35 reserves your spot with the balance due by June 11. To pay by paypal go here. Instructions on paying by check are also available at this link. Please include your email address. Please note that we will not meet on Thursday, July 2 due to the 4th of July Holiday. For additional information contact ernst.lisa@gmail.com.
June Daylong Meditation Retreat
Stilling Mind and Heart with Mindfulness and Lovingkindness
Saturday, June 13, 2015
9:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m., Nashville Friends House
Led by Lisa Ernst
During the busyness and activity that often accompany our daily lives, this meditation retreat will offer a quiet time to slow down, mindfully connect with our bodies and extend kindness and compassion to ourselves and others. Slowly, in the simplicity and silence of the day, we will learn to let go of distractions and touch our experience with a kind and open heart.
Led by meditation teacher Lisa Ernst, this silent retreat is suitable for newer and more experienced meditators. It will include periods of sitting and walking meditation, practice instructions and dharma talk.
Retreat fee is $50. A reduced fee spot is available, please inquire to the email below. Paypal is here. If paying by check, you can find instructions on where to send it at this link. Be sure to include your email address. There will be a separate opportunity at the retreat to make a dana offering (donation) to the teacher.
For questions, contact onedharmaretreat@gmail.com.
Three Week Basics of Meditation Course
Sponsored by One Dharma Nashville
Thursdays April 30, May 7 & 14
7 – 8:30 p.m.
12 South Dharma Center
This 3 Week course is appropriate for beginners as well as more experienced meditators who want to refresh the fundamentals of their practice. In a step-by-step process you will learn the basics of insight meditation and mindfulness practices. You will learn to be more in touch with your body, emotions and mind. You will complete the class with tools to establish an effective and ongoing practice. These practices will help you reduce stress and expand your capacity for well-being and compassion. The class will also provide a supportive environment with plenty of time for discussion and Q&A.
Led by senior meditator and One Dharma co-founder Patsy Cutillo, with guidance from founding teacher Lisa Ernst. Patsy has been meditating for 15+ years and has attended numerous daylong and residential meditation retreats. She is also certified as a Medical QiGong therapist.
Course fee is $60 and can be paid through Paypal here. A reduced fee spot is available in the case of financial need. Please inquire. For information or to reserve your spot, email pccutillo@yahoo.com.
Breema and Feldenkrais Offer at the 12 South Dharma Center
This offer is from Katherine Correa, who offers her services at our Dharma Center:
Hello, I offer Breema and Feldenkrais private sessions and classes some weekdays at the 12 South Dharma Center. I have put together a couple of special offers for Dharma Center practitioners and hope you will contact me to register or if you have questions about either method.
So, I am offering a 1/2-hour introductory Breema session for only $15 for Dharma Center attendees. This offer is valid until April 30, 2015. (My usual rate is $70/hour; a sliding scale is available for folks with financial need.)
You are also welcome to come and try out the Thursday Feldenkrais class at 11:00 a.m. at no charge for your first visit.
Both Breema and Feldenkrais have mindfulness as a central aspect and are supportive to quieter mind, flexible body and balanced feelings.
For more information, visit http://www.breema.com and http://www.nashvillemindandbody.com. You can contact me at: kathcorrea@gmail.com or 615-440-1342.
I look forward to meeting you!
Sincerely,
Katherine Correa, LMT,
Certified Breema Instructor, Feldenkrais Practitioner
Mindfulness and Lovingkindness in Huntsville
The Power of Presence: A Mindfulness and Lovingkindess Workshop
Saturday, March 14, 1 – 4 p.m.
Yoga Center of Huntsville
Led by Lisa Ernst
Learn to rest your heart and mind in ease and presence. We will tune in more fully to our present moment experience, drawing on the practices of mindfulness and lovingkindness. These transformational practices help us expand our capacity for well being, compassion and joy.
Suitable for beginning as well as more experienced meditators, the workshop will include instructions in mindfulness and lovingkindness practices, sitting and walking meditation and group discussion. Cost is $50 if registered by March 6. This workshop will be hosted by The Yoga Center of Huntsville.
Lisa Ernst is a meditation teacher, artist and founder of One Dharma Nashville. In her teaching, Lisa emphasizes both transformational insight and everyday awakening as an invitation to embrace all of the path’s possibilities. She has been meditating for over 25 years and leads classes and retreats nationally.
For more information or to register, call 256-533-7975
Your Task
“Your task is not to seek for love, but merely to seek and find all the barriers within yourself that you have built against it.”
― Rumi
The Lotus Blooms in The Mud 