Introduction to Insight Meditation: A Welcome to Beginners and Returners with Dawn Mauricio

This two-day online meditation retreat will offer an introduction to insight meditation and mindfulness, and explore practices that help us steady the mind, open the heart and support the development of wisdom, clear seeing, and loving awareness. Guided meditations and opportunities to ask questions will also make this an accessible retreat for meditators in beginning stages of practice.

Practicing “alone together” while in our own spaces in this online format presents a unique and powerful new kind of retreat container to deepen our practice and the integration of mindfulness into how we’re living during these times.

Black and Indigenous people can attend without cost.

This retreat is taught in English.

Retraite en ligne : Introduction à la méditation pleine conscience avec Dawn Mauricio

Cette retraite de méditation en ligne de deux jours offrira une introduction à la méditation d'introspection et à la pleine conscience, et explorera les pratiques qui nous aident à stabiliser l'esprit, à ouvrir le cœur et à soutenir le développement de la sagesse, d'une vision claire et d'une conscience aimante. Des méditations guidées et des possibilités de poser des questions feront de cette retraite un lieu accessible aux méditants qui en sont à leurs premiers pas dans la pratique.

Pratiquer "seuls ensemble" dans nos propres espaces dans ce format en ligne présente un nouveau type de retraite unique et puissant pour approfondir notre pratique et l'intégration de la pleine conscience dans notre façon de vivre pendant ces moments.

Les personnes Noires et Autochtones peuvent y assister sans frais.

Cette retraite est enseignée en anglais.

Practical Information

Schedule: The daily schedule is below. Also, it is completely ok if you can't attend all of the retreat.

Where: On Zoom - the link will be sent 24 hours before the retreat begins.

How to prepare: Find a calm and comfortable place in your home. You will need a chair or a meditation cushion or bench. Scroll down to find more information!

Cost: Fees are on a sliding scale basis that allows participants to pay according to individual means. TNI is dedicated to offering affordable rates to all. Scholarships are also available. Please contact info@truenorthinsight.org. Everyone is welcome. Thank you for supporting TNI’s longevity!

Teacher Dana: Our teachers are being hit hard by the cancellations of residential retreats across Canada and the US. Please note that the cost of the retreat covers only the administrative side of the retreat, not any payment to the teachers. Please consider giving a gift of Dana to the teachers. Following the 2,600-year-old Buddhist tradition, the teachings are considered priceless and are offered freely. At the end of the retreat you will be invited to offer dana, or donations, to the teachers.

Cancellation fees: Please let us know as soon as possible if you have to cancel. Refunds are available if you cancel more than 24 hours before the retreat begins.

We request that you arrive before the retreat begins. The Zoom space will open 15 minutes before the retreat starts.

Information: retreats@truenorthinsight.org

The teacher

Dawn Mauricio - Dawn (she, her) has been practicing and studying Insight Meditation since 2005, and has graduated from the first teacher development group of True North Insight, and Spirit Rock's Mindfulness Yoga and Meditation Training, Dedicated Practitioners' Program, and 4-year Retreat Teacher Training. She is known to teach with a playful, dynamic, and heartfelt approach, and leads daylongs, retreats, yearlong programs, and mindfulness workshops in Canada and the US for Spirit Rock, True North Insight, and for teens with Inward Bound Mindfulness Education. Dawn is also the author of “Mindfulness Meditation for Beginners”. For more information, visit dawnmauricio.com.

How to Prepare for Your Retreat

Meditation retreats are an invitation to create a space where you can take care of yourself and take time off from your daily life. With the goal of deepening inner calm, silence is an essential tool for this noble exploration of ourselves and allows us to listen deeply in this space of discovery.

For an online retreat at home, it’s important to prepare a supportive environment in advance:

• Find a clean, quiet place where you can be alone, in silence, without being disturbed.
• Limit the use of electronic devices to just what you will need for the retreat (phone, laptop, or tablet). If possible, close all apps except for Zoom, deactivate different notifications.

We are aware that the current situation may require that you give attention to those you share your home with, and that you may need to be available for them. Do the best you can to offer yourself a supportive environment for your retreat. Your intention and your commitment are your best supports.

Meditation Supports

• A chair, cushion or meditation bench for sitting meditation.
• A blanket or shawl in case you get cold.
• Water to stay hydrated during the day.

Daily Schedule

Saturday January 30 -- Eastern Standard Time (Canada)

9- 10* am Opening

10 - 10:45 am Movement practice (Walk)

10:45- 11:30** am Stationary practice (Sit, Reclined, Standing)

11:30 -12 pm Movement practice (Walk)

12 - 12:30* pm Stationary practice (Sit, Reclined, Standing) and Dharma talk

12:30 - 2 :15 pm Lunch and Rest or Walk

2 :15 - 2:45** pm Stationary practice (Sit, Reclined, Standing)

2:45 - 3:30* pm Movement practice (Walk)

3:15 - 4:15* pm Guided Heart practice

4:15 - 5* pm Q&I, tips for practice at home, short sit before ending

Sunday January 31 -- Eastern Standard Time (Canada)

9 -10* am Morning instructions, Q&I

10 -10:45 am Movement practice (Walk)

10:45 - 11:30** am Stationary practice (Sit, Reclined, Standing)

11:30 - 12 pm Movement practice (Walk)

12:00 -12:30* pm Stationary practice (Sit, Reclined, Standing) & Dharma talk

12:30 - 2:15 pm Lunch and Rest or Walk

2:15 - 2:45** pm Stationary practice (Sit, Reclined, Standing)

2:45 - 3:30 pm Movement practice (Walk)

3:30 - 4:15* pm Heart practice

4:15 - 5:00* pm Closing, Relational practices

*Times to come to computer

**Optional (Virtual meditation hall will be open)