Does this title put you off because it names too many “negatives”? Or does it speak to the samsāras swirling inside you and your loved ones, often too distressing to discuss openly, let alone forthrightly? If the latter, this retreat may be for you.

Some of us obsess over “the news,” while others shun “the news,” and many ping-pong between these two forms of craving and clinging. The messages hit us hard, often overwhelmingly, and we respond with anxiety, outrage, despair, and doubt. When we shut down, we almost never examine our own complicity in the suffering.

Public space is full of opinions concerning what to do or not do about current and looming dire conditions, depending on the beliefs and ideologies of the presenters. There’s lots of exaggeration, denial, argument, and fear. Some are sincere, some are duplicitous. It all can be heartbreaking and soul sapping.

Let’s not pretend that any one has “the answers” to the huge socio-economic and environmental challenges. Wise Buddhist practitioners should heed the Buddha’s own example and avoid such pretenses. What, then, is a body to do?

This retreat will explore early Buddhist teachings that emphasize what we can do internally in order to make wise and ethical choices midst the outer uncertainty and confusion. There are no easy answers (seeking and believing in them is part of what’s caused our mess). At a minimum, we seek to be kind and compassionate, including with ourselves, amidst the massive suffering of our times. Then each of us finds our skillful responses to the realities we live with.

This retreat is not an occasion to rehash our pet fears, opinions, and projects. Rather, it’s an opportunity to examine the suffering of climate catastrophe up close and simultaneously uncover resources for healing, sanity, meaningfulness, and compassion.

Partial attendance is not offered on this retreat. Additionally, please consider attending this retreat only if your current life circumstances allow you to engage in an important modern renunciation practice of staying offline and off phone/text during the entire course of the retreat (some exceptions related to pressing family situations may be granted.)