METTA EARTH PRACTICE:
Exploring the Ecological Foundations of Yoga and Zen

with Russell Comstock and Shisan Robert Thomas
September 12-14
weekend retreat

Joining breath with sky, and movement with earth, we discover an ever-changing, vibrant life energy within our bodies that lives in the heart of the present moment. Blending the ancient wisdom of Yoga and Zen practice, we will explore a new understanding of each moment as a uniquely spiritual and ecologically conscious experience of interconnection with all life. This retreat includes two to three eco-yoga sessions each day interspersed with periods of Zen meditation. Structured times of presentation, discussion, and reflection on the ecological dimensions of the classical teachings are balanced with ample time to soak in the tranquility of Tassajara. Those new to Zen and Yoga are welcome to attend.

Retreat Leaders:

Shisan Robert Thomas
Shisan Robert Thomas has been living and practicing Zen at San Francisco Zen Center since 1993 and has been a student of yoga for 10 years. Ordained as a priest by Norman Fischer in 2000, Robert currently serves as the President of Zen Center.

Russell Comstock
Russell Comstock, Co-Director of Metta Earth Institute, holds an M.A. in Contemplative and Ecological Leadership, a B.A. in Human Ecology, and is certified in Interdisciplinary and Jivamukti Yoga. Russell has extensive experience teaching yoga and recently completed a handbook called: Metta Earth Yoga — Contemplative Ecological Practices for a Sustainable Future.

To register, please visit: http://www.sfzc.org/tassajara/display.asp?catid=4,19,130,195&pageid=902

EcoYoga Fest ~ United Nations International Day of Peace
September 21

9:00-9:30 Earth Poems
9:30-10:30 Asana
10:30-11:30 Sitting Meditation
11:30-12:30 Mindfulness Meal
1:00-2:30Rest/Solitude/Dream
2:30-4:00 Council for Earth
4:00-5:00 Metta Earth Tea
5:00-5:30 Garden Walking Meditation
6:00-7:00 Dinner
7:00-9:00 Earth Peace Kirtan

Please bring a yoga mat, sitting cushion, local organic, vegetarian dish for lunch and for dinner. Come to any or all times. RSVP. Earth poems welcome.

All are welcome.
Donations will go to the Green Yoga Association

Related Links:
www.internationaldayofpeace.org/
www.greenyoga.org/
www.globalmala.org/
www.mettaearth.org/

For directions to Metta Earth Institute, please click here.

Dhamma Meditation Retreat with Phra Ajahn
October 3-5

DHAMMA RETREAT Practice Times Oct. 3-5, 08
Join us for any or all parts of this weekend meditation retreat.
Please bring prepared food to share and a sitting cushion.
Chairs, if needed, will be provided. Walking meditations will often be in the gardens or meadows, unless rainy. RSVP.

Friday
4-5pm Welcome and Opening Meditation
5-6:00pm Dhamma Talk
6-6:30pm Walking Meditation Teaching
6:30pm Light refreshment
8-9:00pm Meditation

Saturday…A DAY OF SILENCE
5-5:30am Walking Meditation
5:30-6:30am Sitting Meditation
6:30-8:30am Breakfast
8:30-9:00am Walking Meditation
9-10:00am Sitting Meditation
10-11:00am Silent Yoga or Food Preparation /Break
11-1:00pm Lunch and Rest
1-1:30pm Walking Meditation
1:30-2:30pm Sitting Meditation
2:30-3:00pm Rest and Break
3-3:30pm Walking Meditation
3:30-4:30pm Sitting Meditation
4:30-6pm Light Refreshment & Dhamma Talk
6-7:00pm Sitting Meditation
7-7:30pm Break
7:30-8:30 Dhamma Talk

Sunday
5-5:30am Walking Meditation
5:30-6:30am Sitting Meditation
6:30-8:30am Food Preparation & Breakfast
8:30-9:00am Walking Meditation
9-10:00am Sitting Meditation
10-11:00am Closing Dhamma Talk
11-1:00pm Food Preparation & Lunch

Last October we were blessed with a visit from Phra Ajahn Piyaddhassi Bhikku, who is a Theravadan, Buddhist monk and heads a monastery in Thailand. He found us through a word of mouth connection. We had a wonderful, utterly endearing visit. He loved Metta Earth and took photos of all the bundles of herbs, piles of squashes, and the garden, and in our yoga room, he pointed to our son’s carving, “Live in the Now” and said with excitement….”That’s it!” “That’s all you need to know!” Although he speaks some English, his translator Nicharee often assists him. He said then that he would be willing to help us and return again.

Indeed he came back to Metta Earth at the end of June for 5 days. Of all the places that others have offered him for a three-month retreat, he has chosen to be with us here. So after a few weeks teaching in New Mexico, he returned July 18th. Traditionally the monk’s “Rain Retreat” (rainy season in Thailand) begins on the full moon in July. He arrived in time to settle in and begin at this auspicious time. We had no electricity because of a fierce storm we had in the mid afternoon, so we lit the house with candles and had a meditation and a beautiful dhamma talk with him with the full moonlight illuminating the mountains and gardens.

During July and August, Phra Ajahn has offered to guide a number of meditations and dhamma talks(like the Sanskrit word, “dharma”, but in Pali it is “dhamma”, meaning teachings or universal law) and a longer retreat in early October. Let us know if you would like to join us for this.

So welcome…to bask in the boundless and peaceful presence of this great teacher.

For more info - http://www.vimuttidhamma.org

...another interesting link - please click here.

http://www.yjevents.com/yjevents/sf09/