Maitri is particularly helpful for joining Tantric practice with everyday life. Through practice, talks, experiential exercises, discussion, and celebration we will be exploring our basic nature; which is openness. The weekend is designed as an elaboration on the introduction to the Five Buddha Families which were taught last September; however, the basic principles will be reviewed, therefore anyone interested in Maitri Space Awareness is welcome to attend. Only two of the five Five Buddha Families will be presented this weekend, due to limited time. Together with the three prior Families taught last September (Buddha, Ratna and Vajra), this weekend will complete the basics of a complex Mandala of teaching that includes body, speech, mind, quality and action.

Melissa Moore will lead the weekend. Over the past eleven years Melissa has been teaching Maitri, Shambhala and Contemplative Psychology extensively in Europe. She founded the Karuna Training, a three-year professional certificate in Contemplative Psychology in both Germany and the Netherlands, where she continues to teach and to train the trainers. She is currently working as a clinical director of a San Francisco Agency which provides services for the intrinsically sane, who suffer from chronic mental illness. She has been a student of both Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche, and Sakyong Mipahm Rinpoche since 1979. Currently she studies with Khenpo Tsultrim Gymtso Rinpoche, and is integrating Contemplative Psychology with Menla, Medicine Buddha, under his direction.

Please consider attending this wonderful continuation of our Maitri Space Awareness program. Please also let Rebekka Martorano, or Yasmin Spiegel know as soon as possible if you are interested in staffing or helping for work study. We are trying to get a head count early, so please respond. Looking forward to seeing you there!

Details:

The "Quality and Action" Maitri weekend is an elaboration on the Body Speech and Mind Introductory weekend we did last fall. The emphasis continues to be on developing maitri and space in everyday life. Here are some details to help you prepare for the weekend.

What to bring

a.. Please bring a flat white bed sheet if you have one. (You may want to distinguish it as yours by sewing a button or bit of colored cloth to it or by attaching a piece of masking tape with your name.) This time we will be working in doors and have to dominate a few more spaces at the center - so bring extras if you have them.

b.. Bring a yoga mat and/ or zabuton for support during the various reclining Maitri postures. (We have some of these at the center; so don't worry if you own neither.) Again, mark these as yours if you wish.

c.. Food. As a generosity practice based on the weekend's teachings, breakfasts each morning will be potluck. [It would be premature to go into this in depth, but I will tell you that meals will correspond with each day's Buddha Family: Saturday, Ratna food (rich and fattening) Sunday, Karma food (energy giving, efficient). Lunches will be on your own - in or outside the center, as you prefer. Saturday night will be a Ratna feast, which will be provided by the Center.

d.. Teacher's gift. As a way of offering support and gratitude to Melissa Moore, you are welcome to contribute an optional teacher's gift.

e.. Your coffee mug, if you're environmentally inclined.

What to wear

Please feel invited to wear the colors of the families, but do not buy anything... simply be creative.

a.. Saturday - yellow, gold, ornate clothes

b.. Sunday - the many shades of green are acceptable

Keep in mind that you will be laying on the floor and the temperature will vary quite a bit, so dress accordingly.

Cost of the Program:

The cost of the for non-members is $150; members pay $125.

Tentative Schedule

Friday, Feb 3
7:30 PM-9: 30 PM
Talk and exercise

Saturday, Feb 4
8:30 AM- 9:00 PM
Ratna Breakfast
Brown bag or dine out lunch
Ratna feast provided by Center

Sunday, Feb 5
8:30 AM- 5:00 PM
Karma Breakfast
Brown bag or dine out lunch
Celebratory reception provided

If you have any questions about the program, do not hesitate to contact Yasmin at (530) 758-4057 or ycs@spiegel-law.com. We look forward to seeing you.