During this daylong we will explore the meditation style taught by Burmese meditation teacher Sayadaw U Tejaniya: a relaxed open awareness with an emphasis on exploring qualities of mind, and the attitude towards one's experience. The schedule for the retreat will alternate periods of sitting and walking with instructions and discussion. Aside from the instruction and discussion periods, the day will be held in silence. This is suitable for all meditators.

The day will begin with a period of instruction; plan to arrive promptly at 9:30am.

When:Saturday, July 31, 2010 (9:30 AM - 5:00 PM)
Registration: no registration required.
Cost: There is no charge, dana accepted.
Location: Vipassana Santa Cruz, 1010 Fair Ave, Santa Cruz, CA.
Teacher: Andrea Fella. Andrea has been practicing Insight Meditation since 1996, and, under Gil Fronsdal's guidance, began teaching meditation classes in 2003. She is particularly drawn to intensive retreat practice, and has done a number of long retreats, both in the U.S. and Burma. During one long practice period in Burma, she ordained as a nun with Sayadaw U Janeka. Andrea teaches residential retreats for IMC, and is in the Spirit Rock teacher training program with Jack Kornfield and Joseph Goldstein.

Vipassana Santa Cruz is happy to announce a special 3-week class on the Burmese Forest tradition from the teachings of Bob Stahl's venerable teachers, Taungpulu Sayadaw, Hlaing Tet Sayadaw, and Pakokhu Sayadaw. Learn about the teachings of the forest monks of Burma.

When: August 10, 17, and 24, 2010 (7:00 - 8:30 PM)
Teacher: Bob Stahl
Registration: no registration required.
Cost: There is no charge, dana accepted.
Location: Taungpulu Kaba Aye Monastery in Boulder Creek

Burmese Forest Tradition daylong based on the teachings of Bob Stahl's venerable teachers, Taungpulu Sayadaw, Hlaing Tet Sayadaw, and Pakokhu Sayadaw. Learn about the teachings of the forest monks of Burma.

Directions to Taungpulu Kaba Aye Monastery: Route 17 – drive to Scotts Valley. Take the Mt. Herman Road exit and turn right off the exit ramp. Follow Mt. Herman Road all the way to the end; you will drive through the town of Scotts Valley and then about another 6 miles. The road ends; turn right onto Graham Hill Road and immediately get into the right lane. Drive about 100 yards to the stop light and turn right onto Route 9. Drive six miles into the town of Boulder Creek. Turn left at Johnnie’s Super onto Big Basin Way. Drive 4 miles; you will see the Boulder Creek Golf and Tennis Club; the monastery is 1 more mile on a hair pin turn; the driveway is on the left.

When: August 28, 2010 (9:30 AM - 4:30 PM)
Teacher: Bob Stahl
Registration: no registration required.
Cost: There is no charge, dana accepted.
Location: Taungpulu Kaba Aye Monastery in Boulder Creek

Please join with other men from the sangha in an evening of meditation and dhamma discussion. We will meditate together and explore our experience of Buddhist practice as it effects our daily life.

When: June 22, July 20, August 31 (7:00 - 8:30 pm)
Teachers: Dan Landry, Bruce Hyman, Jason Murphy, and Bob Stahl.
Registration: no registration required.
Cost: There is no charge, dana accepted.
Location: Vipassana Santa Cruz, 1010 Fair Ave, Santa Cruz, CA.

Living examples of illness, aging and death, were 3 of the 4 "heavenly messengers" sent to the Buddha to awaken him to reality of the human condition. He saw that everyone is subject to impermanence in the form of sickness, old age and dying. The fourth messenger showed that there is a path to freedom and an end to suffering. Our culture says that you must be young and healthy to be happy; Buddhism tells us that happiness and freedom come from within, not from external circumstances.

When we are feeling fit and well we can easily forget this truth. When we experience illness or disability, then the limitations, vulnerability, and imperfection of existence and the brevity of our human life are obvious. We can take advantage of this to develop understanding and compassion and to reveal the deep teachings of the dharma.

In this monthly, ongoing, drop-in group, we look at these messengers in our own lives. You are welcomed to attend whether you have an illness, disability or chronic pain or are dealing with the usual array of physical or emotional challenges of human life.

We begin the session with a 30-minute meditation (you are welcome to lie down or move to accommodate pain). Through our mindfulness practice we learn to connect with and accept ourselves as we are, to be present with our experience without reactivity and to be able to spaciously "hold" all our joys and sorrows.

The rest of the session includes teachings, discussion and sharing. We will explore both how the teachings help us work skillfully with our difficulties and how our difficulties can teach us wisdom and compassion. Some of the topics discussed included: developing greater acceptance, kindness, compassion for oneself, facing fear, working with anger and resistance.

Often in daily life we feel we must hide our chronic challenges so that we do not burden (or bore) others. In this group, we can share the truth of our experience and find others who understand our situation.

When: First Monday of the month (noon - 1:45PM)
Teachers: Bob Stahl and others.
Registration: no registration required.
Cost: There is no charge, dana accepted.
Location: Vipassana Santa Cruz, 1010 Fair Ave, Santa Cruz, CA.

An exploration of recovery through meditation and Buddhist philosophy.

"And what is the cause by which suffering comes into play? Craving is the cause by which suffering comes into play." -The Buddha-

We crave to have things be other than they are. We often feel that life is unsatisfactory, and so we develop strategies to avoid this feeling of dissatisfaction. Often these strategies lead to unskillful behavior. For example, we become addicted to drugs, alcohol, food, sex or shopping in an attempt to find satisfaction and happiness.

The Buddha called this craving Tanha meaning thirst. This thirst cannot be quenched externally, and is the fundamental cause of our suffering in this life.

Recovery from this state of craving is possible through the Buddhist path of meditation, inquiry and ethics.

Each meeting will included guided meditation instruction, questions and answers about meditation and 12 step recovery.

When: Mondays (7:00 - 8:30 PM)
Teacher: Jason Murphy.
Registration: no registration required.
Cost: There is no charge, dana accepted.
Location: Vipassana Santa Cruz, 1010 Fair Ave, Santa Cruz, CA.