This event has passed, but here is the recording, the blog and where to get the book.
Saturday October 16, 10am to 12 noon.
Uncontrived Mindfulness: Ending Suffering through Attention, Curiosity and Wisdom
A Workshop led by Vajradevi from the UK
In this workshop Vajradevi will introduce key ideas from her new book, drawing on the satipatthana sutta with a focus on awareness and right view. She will also lead meditation in the style of the book, encouraging a receptive and natural way of being with experience, and with the precision of a dharma perspective. There will be time for questions and interaction.
More about Vajradevi
Praise for her book: Uncontrived Mindfulness: Ending Suffering through Attention, Curiosity and Wisdom
Vajradevi is a practitioner who shares her own experience of practising mindfulness simply and clearly. She makes traditional concepts accessible because she knows them from the inside, and Uncontrived Mindfulnessis full of stories of how Vajradevi has learned to be mindful of her own life. The uncontrived relaxation of her writing matches her message that mindfulness isn’t a technique or an achievement so much as a ‘wise involvement with experiences’ that is both focused and at ease. – Vishvapani Blomfield, author of Gautama Buddha: The Life and Teachings of the Awakened One
A wonderful book, written with that independence of mind characteristic of deep practitioners. Reading is like being taken into the author’s mind: just the tone reveals how what’s being described is affecting her. – Kamalashila, meditation teacher and author of Buddhist Meditation: Tranquillity, Imagination & Insight
Vajradevi’s approach to satipaṭṭhāna – mindfulness and meditation – is both refreshing and distinct. There are already many excellent books that go into the details of the Satipaṭṭhāna Sutta and the technicalities of the original Pali terminology, and a vast plethora of general books about mindfulness. Vajradevi takes us straight into the experiential core to which these teachings are pointing. This is mindfulness as the direct way to awakening from the delusions which produce our suffering. ‘McMindfulness’ it is definitely not! Her own substantial practice, together with the benefits of having studied satipaṭṭhāna with some very good teachers, shines through. It makes a huge difference to realize that effective mindfulness practice does not have to be constantly effortful and contrived. Vajradevi points us to the awareness that is already naturally present – hence, ‘uncontrived mindfulness’. As I’ve found out myself, recognizing this does make all the difference to practice. The simple, lucid style, personal stories, and practical exercises make this into an extraordinarily hands-on and helpful book for new and experienced meditators alike. – Tejananda John Wakeman, Chair, Vajraloka Meditation Retreat Centre, North Wales
Please register below by noon Oct 15 if you would like to attend this online class and we will send you the link by 2pm that day.
If you miss the registration deadline or have questions please email us and we'll respond if we're able.
To register: enter the amount you wish to donate in the Event Donation box and click add to cart. Thank you!
Suggested donation $50 to $20 or whatever you an afford. All donations are greatly appreciated but if you are facing financial difficulties please feel free to enter 0, and make sure to click 'pay later' on the payment page (to make sure your registration goes through).