Mindfulness and Liberation – Foundations of Mindfulness-Based Approaches: Insight Meditation Retreat
Akincano, Yuka Nakamura, Christiane Wolf
and Thimo Wittich
Saturday, January 8 – Saturday, January 15
This program qualifies for 25 continuing education credits for psychologists, social workers and nurses.
This retreat is specifically designed for professionals involved in mindfulness-based modalities. Educators, clinicians and researchers engaged in teaching or training in mindfulness-based approaches are welcome to attend.
The course is an invitation to extend and deepen personal experience of insight meditation, which is rooted in the cultivation of mindfulness. In the company of peers and colleagues, retreatants will explore the Four Applications of Mindfulness as taught in the early Buddhist Satipaṭṭhāna Teachings, the foundational teachings of all contemporary mindfulness-based applications. These teachings offer a path to well-being, freedom and compassion, and encourage the integration of contemplative wisdom into the fabric of our daily lives.
The teachers of this retreat are all experienced meditation teachers and involved in training mindfulness-based professionals or in teaching mindfulness.
Each day will offer a sustained schedule of guided and unguided meditation practice, meetings with the teachers, talks and reflections, all within an environment of silence. A familiarity with formal meditation practice is assumed.
An optional daily period of mindful movement will be offered by the teachers.
When registering, please indicate your professional involvement with mindfulness.
Prerequisite: A minimum requirement for attendance is prior completion of a recognized eight-week mindfulness course, or prior retreat experience of at least two week-long silent retreats, or a professional involvement with mindfulness. Please state this when registering.
25 CE credits are available for psychologists, social workers and nurses. More information here.
For this course, sliding scale fees are $1,895, $1,095, $825, or $550. We also offer a scholarship fee of $235. Our “Pay What You Can Afford” system supports the cultivation of a dynamic and inclusive community and contributes to the health and vibrancy of the sangha. Select the rate of your choice when you register.
A note on dana (generosity)
Most IMS teachers—like insight teachers around the world—offer their teachings freely, and rely on the generosity of students for their livelihood. Teachers do not generally receive compensation from IMS program fees, though IMS may offer a modest advance to ensure financial support and the continuation of the teachings. Click here to learn more about teacher support. There will be an opportunity to offer a contribution to your teachers at the end of your program, or you may donate now
REGISTER HERE
Teacher Bios
Akincano is a guiding teacher of Atammaya Cologne and co-founder of Bodhi College as well as a contemplative psychotherapist. A former monk, he practiced for 20 years in European and Thai Forest monasteries. Particularly interested in the application of early Buddhist teachings, stillness and contemplative psychology, he teaches mindfulness, meditation and Buddhist psychology in secular and traditional contexts internationally.
Yuka Nakamura has practiced Buddhist meditation since 1993 in the Theravada, Dzogchen and Zen traditions. She has a PhD in Developmental Psychology, and is a certified MBSR teacher. Based in Switzerland, she was trained as a Buddhist meditation teacher by Fred von Allmen and teaches at Beatenberg (Switzerland), Gaia House (UK), Insight Meditation Society (Barre, MA), and other places. She is co-founder and teacher at the CFM Zentrum für Achtsamkeit in Zurich and faculty member for the Bodhi College teacher training program. Living in Switzerland, she teaches meditation and MBSR (mindfulness-based stress reduction).
Christiane Wolf, MD, PhD, received her medical degree and completed her postgraduate training in obstetrics and gynecology from Humboldt University in Berlin, Germany. She also holds a PhD in Psychosomatic Medicine from Humboldt University.
Christiane has practiced mindfulness meditation for 30 years, is a senior certified Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) trainer, and is on faculty for the Center for Mindfulness, University of Massachusetts Medical School. She is a graduate of the 4-year IMS/Spirit Rock teacher training, and is authorized to teach in the Thai Forest Monastery tradition. She is the Director of MBSR programs at InsightLA, and is program director and lead instructor for VA CALM, the national mindfulness facilitator training program for clinicians at the US Department of Veterans Affairs.
Christiane is the co-author of A Clinician’s Guide to Teaching Mindfulness. She lives in Los Angeles with her husband and their three children.
Thimo Wittich started practicing meditation and yoga in 2008. Since 2010 he has trained with Akincano at Atammaya Cologne. He is currently attending the Committed Practictioners and Teacher Training programs at Bodhi College. Thimo teaches yoga in NYC.
