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Dear Visitors,
I've been leading the following workshops for 10 years now and am taking a break from this as I work on my new book due out in June 2008: Quiet Mind, Open Heart, Finding Inner Peace through Reflection, Journaling, and Meditation..
In the meantime I'll be doing Dharma Talks as well as booksignings.
For my current schedule, please return to my home page and scroll down..
Enjoy your visit,
Laura
These talks are given to meditation groups that emphasize mindfulness and insight practices. The talks are on topics such as The Five Spiritual Faculties, Cultivating Loving-kindness, and The Four Foundations of Mindfulness. Laura has given talks with these groups:
Albuquerque Vipassana Sangha, Albuquerque, NM www.abqsangha.org
Des Moines Meditatin Group, Des Moines, Iowa
Edgewood Meditation Group, Edgewood, New Mexico
El Paso Vipassana Sangha, El Paso, Texas
Las Cruces Vipassana Sangha, Las Cruces, New Mexico
Madison Insight Meditation Group, Madison, Wisconsin website
People of Color and Allies Sangha, Albuquerque, New Mexico
St. Louis Insight Meditation Group, St. Louis, Missouri www.insightstlouis.org
Taos Mountain Sangha, www.taosmountainsangha.org
Current schedule on home page.
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Introduction to Insight
A series of classes for beginning meditators offered every other month led by Valerie Roth, a certified Community Dharma Leader with Spirit Rock and vipassana practitioner with over 20 years experience. The next set of classes in Albuquerque is in September 2008:
Saturdays
September 6th, 13th, and 20th.
8:30 - 10:00 am.
Albuquerque, NM
Donation basis
For more information, contact Valerie by phone (505) 345-3312 or email: valeroth [at] Q.com
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Quiet Mind, Open Heart Meditation Workshop
Finding inner clarity in a complex world.
Meditation is about freeing ourselves from the mental, physical, and emotional tensions that prevent us from living our lives fully with creativity, appreciation, and contentment. Meditation not only quiets our minds, it opens our hearts and leads us to insights into the laws that govern this life: laws regarding karma, compassion, and Truth. Meditation provides us with an inner clarity that can sustain us even in the midst of life's difficulties.
Two basic, yet substantial, meditation practices are covered in this workshop. These are direct practices for developing steadiness, peace of mind, and compassion. We’ll have periods of instruction, practice, and discussion. Laura has taught this workshop for years and it's always been a good one!
Visit the section on Meditation to learn more.
Dress comfortably. Chairs and benches are available for sitting, or bring your personal meditation bench or cushion.
Cost: $35
pre-registration suggested
CONTACT
Laura Wright
e-mail: laura [at] lwrightnm.com
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Returning to Center Meditation Retreats
Vipassana ~ Insight ~ Meditation Retreats
None scheduled for this year as I work on the publication of my book,
Quiet Mind, Open Heart.
One day and half day retreats listed on Home page.
Returning to center means just that. Here you'll have the time, space, and support to empty yourself of yourself and return to your center. You'll learn to let go of fixated thought patterns and allow your innate wisdom to naturally surface.
The retreats are conducted in noble silence, meaning there is no talking between those in attendance. Laura will be available for private conferences, and yoga will be offered on the full days. Wholesome and sustaining vegetarian meals are included.
These vipassana, or insight, meditation retreats are an opportunity to step away from the busy-ness of your life, to let go of your mundane concerns, and open to the silent beauty of your true nature.
Lodging and meals: $80 to $100 per day depending on center.
Partial scholarship is available for some retreats.
Traditionally, the teachings are given freely, and a donation to the teacher is encouraged.
Register by contacting Laura: e-mail: laura [at] lwrightnm.com
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Return to Center Workshop
Reflective Journaling and Insight Meditation
Reflective journaling combined with insight meditation is an effective means for quieting the mind and accessing your innate wisdom. Here you'll learn how empty your mind in the journaling process, and give special attention to building resolve around your heartfelt intentions. Then, in the silent folds of meditation insight into your true nature makes itself known.
The schedule will provide structured time for discourse, journaling, and meditation, all woven together to optimize your time for returning to your center. The day is conducted in noble silence, meaning there is no talking between those in attendance.
There are various themes for these workshops, and by giving attention to these various qualities of the heart and mind we readily invite greater clarity and inner peace into our lives.
The Four Sublime Abidings: Here the focus is on cultivating loving-kindness, compassion, appreciative joy, and equanimity, which are also known as the Four Sublime Abidings, or four brahma-viharas as taught by the Buddha as well as Patanjali.
The Ten Transcendent Virtues: The Ten Paramis, or transcendent virtues, as taught by the Buddha include generosity, wisdom, patience, determination, and equanimity.
The Three Bases for Merit or Happiness: The Buddha taught that generosity, ethical conduct, and meditation form the foundation of our personal and spiritual well being, and as such are worthy of our attention.
Peace of Mind: Here the focus is on free-form journaling in order to release built up tensions and connect and re-connect with the still, silent place within.
This day is a gift to yourself, a day for taking care of yourself, a day for pulling in. Take the time necessary to clarify your spiritual aspirations, cultivate the currency of the heart, and nurture wise understanding.
Bring a sack lunch.
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Loving-Kindness Meditation Workshop
May all beings be at ease.
lovingkindness~The Buddha
Learning the art of loving-kindness is one of the highest blessings we can give ourselves and those around us. Based on the Buddhist practice of metta and the Yogic practice of maitri, loving-kindness meditation heightens our sense of connection with others and can enhance anyone’s faith and spiritual capacity.
This workshop will include instruction, practice, and discussion.
Visit the section on Loving Kindness to learn more about this practice.
pre-registration suggested
CONTACT Laura Wright
e-mail: laura [at] lwrightnm.com
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Meditation II
For those with a home practice, vipassana retreat experience,
or who want to continue from the previous workshop.
In this workshop we’ll look at dealing with difficult emotions, walking meditation, and loving-kindness meditation. We’ll have periods of instruction, practice, and discussion. It is preferred that those in attendance have some meditative experience.
Dress comfortably. Chairs and benches are available for sitting, or bring your personal meditation bench or cushion.
Recommended reading:
Seeking the Heart of Wisdom, by Joseph Goldstein & Jack Kornfield;
Loving-kindness: The Revolutionary Art of Happiness, by Sharon Salzberg.
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Partner Appreciation
Nurturing the positive in relationship
With Laura & Andy* Wright
In this engaging workshop, you and your partner will learn how to vocalize the love and appreciation that nature intended. Here you will learn a direct and satisfying method for enriching and deepening your relationship, raising it to a stronger and more intimate level of connectivity. Our words are powerful and empowering, here you will discover how to use them tenderly and wisely.
Please join us in this workshop with your partner. However, if he or she can’t make it, come with a friend and later share your understanding. This is a skill that also works well with children and all loved ones. Don’t miss the chance to learn how to thoughtfully express your love and appreciation.
Come with paper, pen, or laptop, and a sense of humor.
$30 single, $50 couple
to pre-register
CONTACT
Laura Wright
e-mail: laura [at] lwrightnm.com
*Andy Wright is a math teacher and administrator at the Bosque School in Albuquerque.
A skilled mediator, his teaching style is characterized by mindfulness and equanimity.
Laura and Andy have been happily married for over 20 years and are enjoying parenting their two teenage sons.
Dharma Seminar
Live in the way, and the light will grow in you. ~The Buddha
What does it mean to live in the way? What did the Buddha mean? Lao Tzu expresses the same truth, as do many other historical spiritual teachers. There are many quality spiritual teachings available to us in this modern age. These Dharma Seminars are intended to clarify sublime subjects such as karma, loving-kindness, faith, and living in the way.
There will be a 20 minute meditation followed by a dharma talk and then discussion. I'll supply links to on-line resources for optional study before the seminar.
These Dharma seminars are a good time to quiet the mind, inspire yourself to further your spiritual growth, and take refuge in the company of other like-minded and good-hearted people.
The seminars are ongoing. Dress comfortably. Chairs and benches are available for sitting, or bring your bench or cushion.
If interested, please
CONTACT
Laura Wright
e-mail: laura [at] lwrightnm.com
Dana based class
(donation/contribution optional)
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Independent Study Courses
Sutta Study Course I & II: Independent sutta study courses for those interested in delving into notable and abstract Theravada Buddhist themes and suttas.
Inquire: Laura [at] lwrightnm.com
Reflective Journaling Course: An independent study course for those who want to change and grow beyond their limiting concepts of self. Based on Laura's book, Quiet Mind, Open Heart . Visit www.reflectivejournaling.com to learn more about the book.
Inquire: Laura [at] lwrightnm.com
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Laura Wright Meditation Workshops, Seminars, & Retreats
Albuquerque New Mexico USA
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