Be the Mystery! a day of contemplation

As  mindfulness  deepens,  we  explore  uncharted  territory.   New  ideas,  emotions  and  physical  sensations  arise.  
With  practice,  we  may  find  bliss  as  well  as  rough  patches  that  are  sometimes  frightening.   We  take  refuge  in sensual  pleasure.   It  feels  safe;  familiar.   Sometimes,  we  just  turn  away.   We  cannot  hold  the  uncertainty.

The  Buddha  taught  liberation  comes  from  releasing  what  we  know  and  surrendering  to  that  same  mystery  we
often  dread.   Can  we  fully  experience  the  present  moment  without  definition?   As  long  as  we  are  sure,  we  cut ourselves  off  from  endless  possibilities.   There  is  freedom  in  not  knowing.   Let’s  find  it  together.   


Noliwe  Alexander  has  studied  Vipassana  Meditation  for  over  15  years.   She  has  been  a dedicated  practitioner  since  attending  the  second  Retreat  for  People  of  Color  (POC)  and  the African  American  Retreat  in  2002,  both  at  Spirit  Rock.   She  is  a  graduate  of  the  Community
Dharma  Leaders  Training  Program  though  Spirit  Rock.   She  delivers  dharma  talks  at  the
Alphabet  and  POC  Sanghas  at  EBMC  and  throughout  the  Bay  Area.   Noliwe  is  a  Life  &  Business
Coach  and  empowerment  workshop  facilitator.   She  has  dedicated  her  coaching  and  dharma
practice  to  the  LGBT,  POC,  at-­‐risk  and  elder  communities.


John  Mifsud  has  practiced  Insight  Meditation  for  12  years  and  graduated  from  the  Community Dharma  Leaders  Training  Program  at  Spirit  Rock  last  year.   He  is  a  Community  Teacher  at  the East  Bay  Meditation  Center  and  a  leader  of  EBMC’s  Deep  Refuge  Group  for  Alphabet  Brothers of  Color.   He  has  taught  at  the  San  Francisco  Gay  Buddhist  Fellowship,  SF  Insight,  the  Vajrapani Institute,  Seattle  Dharma  Buddies,  the  Seattle  People  of  Color  and  Allies  Sangha,  San  Quentin
Prison,  Insight  Meditation  in  Modesto,  the  Sacramento  Buddhist  Meditation  Group  and  the
Insight  Meditation  Community  of  Washington  DC.     
Please  bring  a  vegetarian  potluck  dish  to  share  for  lunch,  if  you  would  like.


For  the  sake  of  those  who  may  have  allergies,  please  do  not  wear  scented  or  perfumed  products.

Also,  if  you  have  a  meditation  cushion,  please  bring  it.  Chairs  will  be  available.

Please  RSVP  to  Insight  Meditation  Central  Valley  at  209-343-2748