Tag Archives: Nashville

Basics of Meditation Three Week Course

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Sponsored by One Dharma Nashville

Thursdays September 11, 18 and October 2, 2014

7 – 8:30 p.m.

Still Lake reflecting the clouds and sky. - Lisa Ernst

Still Lake reflecting the clouds and sky.
– Lisa Ernst

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 nuts and bolts of insight meditation and basic mindfulness practices. You will learn correct meditation approaches to insure an effective and ongoing practice. You will also learn to be more in touch with your body, emotions and mind through Buddhist mindfulness. This class will provide you with a supportive environment; there will be plenty of time for discussion and Q&A.

Led by senior meditators and One Dharma facilitators Michael Crowder and Patsy Cutillo, with guidance from founding teacher Lisa Ernst.

Course fee is $50 and can be paid through Paypal here.

For information, email onedharmainfo@gmail.com

Middle Tennessee Fall 7 Day Retreat in November

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This retreat is on and general registration is open:

Sunday Evening, November 9 – Sunday Noon, November 16, 2014

Bethany Hills Retreat Center, Kingston Springs, TN

Led by Lisa Ernst

IMG_6143Please join us for a rare opportunity to participate in a seven day meditation retreat in Middle Tennessee. Week long retreats offer a sustained opportunity to unplug and move deeply into the silence of heart and mind, where we access insight and compassion. We also enrich and revitalize our daily lives through this gift of extended retreat.

The retreat is offered on a sliding scale basis from $425 – $550, which includes lodging and all meals. Teacher compensation (dana) is separate. A $300 deposit will reserve your spot, with the balance due by November 1.

Lisa Ernst is a Buddhist Meditation teacher in the Thai Forest lineage of Ajahn Chah. She is the 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 regularly leads classes, daylong and residential meditation retreats.

Deposits can be made through Paypal here or mailed to One Dharma Nashville, c/o 12 South Dharma Center, 2301 12th Ave. S. Nashville, TN 37204.  Be sure to include your email address.

For questions email onedharmaretreat@gmail.com.

Fall 7 Day Meditation Retreat near Nashville

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Sunday Evening, November 9 – Sunday Noon, November 16, 2014
Bethany Hills Retreat Center, Kingston Springs, TN
Led by Lisa Ernst
Early Deposit deadline: July 22
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Please join us for a rare opportunity to participate in a seven day meditation retreat in Middle Tennessee. Week long retreats offer a sustained opportunity to unplug and move deeply into the silence of heart and mind, where we access insight and compassion. We also enrich and revitalize our daily lives through this gift of extended retreat.

We’re currently seeking a commitment from a core group of practitioners to move forward. If you would like to support and participate in this retreat, we’ll need a $75 deposit by July 22. This retreat will be offered on a sliding scale basis from $425 – $550, which includes lodging and all meals. Teacher compensation (dana) is separate.

Lisa Ernst is a Buddhist 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 regularly leads classes, daylong and residential meditation retreats.

Deposits can be made through Paypal here or mailed to One Dharma Nashville, c/o 12 South Dharma Center, 2301 12th Ave. S. Nashville, TN 37204. Be sure to include your email address.
For questions email onedharmaretreat@gmail.com.

Spring Renewal 2014 Retreat Recap

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This past Sunday we completed our fifth residential retreat at Bethany Hills. Hard to believe its already been five! This was our smoothest retreat yet. Perfect weather and a solid, committed group of practitioners. Their practice backgrounds spanned the range from new meditators to a few with 25 + years of meditation and retreat experience. Wildlife was abundant and active at this retreat with the birds and frogs supporting our meditation through their beautiful symphonies.

Dogwoods in Full Bloom, Bethany Hills Camp.

Dogwoods in Full Bloom, Bethany Hills Camp.

We were fortunate that the ticks weren’t out yet as spring came a little late to Bethany Hills. From Thursday evening to Sunday morning we witnessed the greening of the grounds and surrounding woods. As I first walked around the pond Thursday afternoon, seeing the hints of spring, I felt deep gratitude and joy for the time those of us attending had  set aside to remove ourselves from everyday busyness and distractions, to take the weekend to connect deeply with our hearts and minds. Its a true gift to offer this to ourselves.

A good retreat will challenge its participants. Like all retreats, there were many who struggled to meet their unwanted guests or unexpected demons. At times like this, the way through is in, with compassion and courage. Facing the demons at this level can bring about transformative insight that is life changing. I’ve seen it happen time and again, and after 25 years of practice, I can say that this process still makes a difference in my own life. But what’s most rewarding to me now is watching others do what they believed impossible and witnessing the joy on their faces once the struggle has dissolved into open space.

If you’re inclined but you’ve yet to dive in to a residential retreat, its well worth it!

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The Essentials of Buddhism Course

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Starting June 12, 2014 at12 South Dharma Center

Led by Lisa Ernst

shylotuscrop3This intermediate, five session course is designed for those who wish to support their meditation practice with a deeper understanding and practical application of the Buddha’s teachings in daily life. The curriculum is based on the Eightfold Path and will emphasize mindful and abiding awareness, interconnection with all life, right effort, wise speech and compassion.

This course is ideal for students who have prior meditation or study experience such the Basics of Meditation Course and/or daylong and weekend residential retreats. Classes are taught as a mix of practice and study so that students gain experiential insights into the Buddha’s teachings while deepening their practice. You will receive study materials and suggestions for practice at home. The classes will include plenty of time for group support and interaction.

Course fee is $125. Two reduced fee spots are available in the case of financial need. Class will begin on Thursday, June 12, 7 – 8:30 p.m. Following Thursday meetings are: June 19, July 3, 10 and 24. A makeup session is available with Lisa if you have to miss one of these dates. Paypal is here. If paying by check, make it out to One Dharma Nashville and send to: 12 South Dharma Center c/o One Dharma Nashville, 2301 12th Avenue South, suite 202, Nashville, TN 37204. Be sure to include your email address. For questions or to reserve your spot, please email onedharmaretreat@gmail.com.

Lisa Ernst is a Buddhist Meditation teacher in the Thai Forest lineage of Ajahn Chah. In her teaching, Lisa emphasizes both transformational insight and everyday awakening as an invitation to embrace all of the path’s possibilities. Lisa is the founder of One Dharma Nashville and she regularly leads daylong and residential retreats, private meditation training and classes.

Daylong Meditation Retreat

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Taking Refuge in This Moment

Saturday, March 15, 9:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Led by Lisa Ernst

bf9a3-lotusblossomPlease join us for a day of sitting and walking meditation at a beautiful, wooded site in rural West Nashville. True refuge is turning toward our experience and finding freedom in the way things are. This silent retreat will focus on cultivating a quality of compassionate presence that embraces our experience with kindness and insight.

Led by meditation teacher Lisa Ernst, the retreat is suitable for both beginning and experienced meditators; it will include sitting and walking meditation, practice instructions, and a dharma talk.

Cost: $50, plus dana (donation) to the teacher. A deposit of $50 will reserve your space and is due by Friday, March 7. Paypal is available here. If paying by check, please make it out to One Dharma Nashville and send to: 12South Dharma Center c/o One Dharma Nashville, 2301 12th Ave. South, Suite 202, Nashville, TN 37204. Please include your email address. Directions and additional information will be emailed prior to the retreat.

For questions, email onedharmaretreat@gmail.com

The Dharma of Writing and Meditation Workshop

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Saturday, February 15, 2014

9:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m., Nashville Friend’s House

Led by Lisa Ernst

Still Lake with Clouds Photography by Lisa Ernst

Still Lake with Clouds
Photography by Lisa Ernst

Please join us for a day of contemplative writing and meditation practice. We will cultivate writing inspiration through meditation and exercises that help us open our hearts to the truth of what we most want to express.  These practices will also help us to communicate more eloquently from our authentic voice, both in written and verbal form. In addition, we will have an opportunity to share our writing in an atmosphere of compassionate support. This workshop is suitable to beginning and experienced writers and meditators.

Cost is $75 – $100, sliding scale. Two reduced fee spots are available in the case of financial need.  Your fee reserves your spot and you can pay by PayPal here using the “donate” button.

Lisa has been meditating for 25 years in both the Zen and Vipassana traditions. She is the founder and guiding teacher of One Dharma Nashville. In addition to regularly teaching meditation classes and retreats, Lisa has written numerous articles for magazines, newspapers and newsletters. She was the technical editor for the current edition of Meditation for Dummies. Her blog includes many essays and poetry: http://www.thelotusbloomsinthemud.com.

For questions email onedharmaretreat@gmail.com

 

New Year’s Half Day Retreat

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The Power of Intention: Clarifying Your Path for the New Year

January 1, 2014, 8:30 a.m. – Noon, 12 South Dharma Center

Led by Lisa Ernst

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“One of the Buddha’s most penetrating discoveries is that our intentions are the main factors shaping our lives and that they can be mastered as a skill.”

– Thanissaro Bhikkhu

Please join us for a half day of sitting and walking meditation at the 12 South Dharma Center. At the beginning of a New Year, it is customary to take stock of our lives, to review the previous year and set our intentions for the upcoming twelve months and beyond. Bringing this evaluation onto the cushion, to look with fresh eyes and an open heart, can help us refine and clarify our direction and to live from the truest part of ourselves.

Led by meditation teacher Lisa Ernst, the retreat will include periods of sitting and walking meditation, dharma talk and discussion. Cost is $35 and is due by Tuesday, December 24.  You can pay through Paypal here. Please use the “donate” button. Alternately, you can bring your payment to one of our meetings or send a check, made out to One Dharma Nashville to: 12 South Dharma Center, c/o One Dharma Nashville, 2301 12th Avenue south, suite 202, Nashville, TN 37204. For questions, email onedharmaretreat@gmail.com.

Photos from the October 5 Contemplative Meditation and Photograhy Retreat

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A lot of talented photographers attended the October 5 retreat. Everyone has uploaded images to a “mindful photos” Flickr account, which you can view here. Enjoy their talent while viewing the beautiful grounds of Penuel Ridge.

10/5 Meditation and Photography Retreat by Lisa Ernst

10/5 Meditation and Photography Retreat by Lisa Ernst

Half Day Buddhist Heart Practices Retreat

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Living in The Divine Abodes

Saturday, November 16 8:30 a.m. – Noon

Led by Lisa Ernst

Nashville Friend’s House

ReelfootLotusPlease join us as we learn to cultivate what the Buddha called “the immeasurable states of heart and mind” – the Brahma Viharas or Divine Abodes. These are the qualities of love, compassion, joy and equanimity that reside in us all. We will learn powerful practices to reduce anger, greed and pride by opening our hearts to love for all beings. As our hearts awaken, we can discover a deeper sense of openness and interconnection with all of life.

Led by meditation teacher Lisa Ernst of One Dharma Nashville, this retreat is appropriate to newcomers as well as experienced meditators. It will include guided and silent meditation, walking practices, instructions and dharma talk.

Retreat cost is $35 and is due by November 11 to reserve your spot.

Paypal is available here. If paying by check, make it out to One Dharma Nashville and send to: One Dharma Nashville c/o 12 South Dharma Center, 2301 12th Avenue South, Suite 202, Nashville, TN 37204. Please include your email address.

For questions email onedharmaretreat@gmail.com