Mindfulness of Death
An Online Weekend Retreat via Zoom

With Shaila Catherine
Assisted by Peter Gilmore and Neil Stegall

May 20 ­– 22, 2022

Registration is required. Scroll down to choose a ticket level. Registration will close three days prior to the retreat, so don’t wait to the last minute!

“Mindfulness of death, when developed and cultivated, is of great fruit and benefit, culminating in the deathless, having the deathless as its consummation.”
– Anguttara Nikaya 8.7

Western societies are adept at hiding death. It occurs behind closed doors or in “sanitized” locations like hospitals and nursing homes. Most people rarely see corpses up close or witness the process of dying. It may seem that we have lost access to the spiritual insights that a closer connection with death could bring.

Developing mindfulness of our own death can protect the mind from complacency, and inspire us to practice dharma with greater energy and sincerity. Formal death contemplation can prepare us for the inevitable event of dying, help us to let go of latent fears, stimulate profound insights into impermanence, clarify priorities, and abandon sensory attachments.

Many forms of maranasati (mindfulness of death) are taught in Buddhist traditions. Most simply, we practice remaining aware and balanced as we reflect on the fact that we will surely die. These contemplations can remove fear of death and produce a sense of being at ease with the nature of things.

This online weekend at-home retreat will introduce a Buddhist approach to the contemplation of death and dying through a program of live video conferences with Shaila Catherine, Peter Gilmore, and Neil Stegall. The online meetings will include guided meditations, Dharma talks, question and answer sessions and discussions.

Registration is required. Scroll down to choose a ticket level. Registration will close about 3 days prior to the retreat, so don’t wait to the last minute!

Zoom links will be emailed to registrants a few days prior to the retreat.

RETREAT SCHEDULE

Times are given in Pacific Time (PDT)

Friday
5:30 – 7:00 pm        Opening Session, Mindfulness of Death

Saturday
7:00 – 7:45am         Morning Meditation with Peter and Neil
8:00 – 8:45am         Morning Guided Meditation with Shaila
10:00– 12:00pm     Morning Teaching with Shaila
1:30 – 3:30pm         Afternoon Teaching with Shaila
4:15 – 5:30pm         Reflection and Discussion Group with Peter and Neil

Sunday
7:00 – 7:45am         Morning Meditation with Peter and Neil
8:00 – 8:45am         Morning Guided Meditation with Shaila
10:00– 12:00pm     Morning Teaching with Shaila
1:30 – 3:30pm         Afternoon Teaching with Shaila
4:15 – 5:30pm         Reflection and Discussion Group with Peter and Neil

Visit our Founding Teacher page for a biography and photograph of the teacher, Shaila Catherine.

Questions? For more information contact meditate

Co-sponsored by Bodhi-Retreats and Insight Meditation South Bay

Registration: Registration is required for this course. Registration fees are non-refundable. To register, select an option under the Tickets heading at the bottom of this page.

Course Fee: The non-refundable registration fee is based on a sliding scale of $625 to $225. The lower end of the sliding scale is intended for those with limited financial means. If you pay at the mid to high range of the sliding scale, your generosity supports those with limited income to attend our programs, and also supports the teacher. Our teacher relies upon the generosity of students for her livelihood, so we encourage you to choose the highest level that is appropriate for your economic situation. Thank you for your generosity! The ticketing process will give you the option of paying by credit card, Pay Pal, or by mailing a check.

Teacher Dana: Donations to support the teacher are much appreciated. Opportunities to give are shown on our Donate page. The Base Rate and Scholarship Rate do not include Teacher Dana.

Scholarship Assistance: A scholarship rate of 30% discount is offered for those with financial need. Full scholarships are offered to monastics. To request the coupon code to enable registration with the scholarship discount, contact the registrar at meditate.

Tax Deductions: The basic registration fee and the scholarship rate do not include teacher dana and are not tax deductible. By selecting a ticket level above the base rate, you will be contributing to teacher dana and the amount above the base rate will be considered a voluntary tax deductible Teacher Dana contribution.

Cancellation Policy: All fees and payments are non-refundable. If it becomes necessary to cancel participation in a course, and the registrar is notified prior to the start of the first meeting, your registration fee will be converted into a voucher creditable towards the fee for either a future IMSB or Bodhi-Retreats program. Vouchers must be used within one year of the initial course start date, and may be transferred to only one future course. Cancellations that occur after the start of the first meeting are not eligible for the voucher credit and are non-refundable.

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