GBF Retreat: Cultivating the Heart of Peace in Difficult Times - René Rivera

A day retreat organized around the Brahma Viharas; practice in diads;  guided practice; and a closing talk on EquanimityTALK #1:  Tending to inner and outer conflict - “bring the calming rains that quiet the fires inside of us.”Exploring the Brahma ViharasTom Spanbauer - In the City of Shy Hunters - “How do I keep my heart open in hell?”-BREAK-THE 4 BRAHMA VIHARASMetta - Loving KindnessKaruna - CompassionMudita - Sympathetic Joy  Upekka - EquanimityRetreat agreements (from East Bay Meditation Center):Try it onPractice self-focus -  speak from your own experience and not make assumptions about othersUnderstanding the difference between intent and impactPracticing both/and -  noticing the difference between but/andRefraining from blaming or shaming othersMove up, move back - noticing the space we take up in groupsPractice mindful listening - bring our full attention to the person who is speakingConfidentiality - “take home your learning but leave the details here”Right to pass____________ René Rivera is a meditation teacher, restorative justice facilitator, and leader, working and learning in all the spaces in-between race, gender, and other perceived binaries, as a queer, mixed-race, trans man. René teaches heart-centered, trauma-informed meditation, at the East Bay Meditation Center and other meditation centers. He has co-led the first residential meditation retreats for transgender, nonbinary, and gender-expansive people. René is a restorative justice facilitator for the Ahimsa Collective, working to heal sexual and gender-based violence. ______________  To support our efforts to share these talks with LGBTQIA audiences worldwide, please visit https://gaybuddhist.org/There you can:   Donate  Learn how to participate live  Find our schedule of upcoming speakers  Join our mailing list or discussion forum Enjoy over 900 recorded talks dating back to 1995CREDITSAudio Production: George HubbardProducer: Tom BrueinMusic/Logo/Artwork: Derek Lassiter