March Equinox 2011

Day-long silent meditation retreat

Welcome to a day of silent meditation and quiet activities sponsored by the Emerald Coast Meditation Society on Saturday March 19 (full moon at 1:11 p.m. CDT) honoring the equinox, which is on March 20 at 23:21 UT, which is 6:21 p.m. CDT.

Hours: 6:15 a.m. - 5:45 p.m.. Location: Coastal Branch Library. Participate in the whole day or any part of it, free of charge. The day includes eight 30-minute meditation periods interspersed with breakfast, lunch, tea, outdoor walks, related activities and breaks. To sign up for the retreat, contact Nancy James at nancyjames@embarqmail.com or 231-1498.

James and Caroling Geary who lead the day's events, have been meditating since the 1970s. Caroling has done yoga since 1974 and meditative art since 1954. James was a founding member of the Minnesota Zen Meditation Center in 1972 and of the Emerald Coast Meditation Society in 2009. Links.

Schedule

6:15 a.m. Meditators arrive in silence

6:30-7:00 Meditate

7-7:05 Slow walk; instructions given

7:10-7:40 Mindful Breakfast and meal cleanup

7:40-7:50 Break

7:50-8:20 Meditate

8:20-8:25 Slow walk

8:30-9:10 Outdoor walk (led by Caroling)

9:10-9:20 Break

9:20-9:50 Meditate

9:50-9:55 Slow walk

10:00-10:40 Heart-opening exercises (led by Nancy) and qigong energy work (by Caroling. Note the latest qigong is here.)

10:40-10:50 Break

10:50-11:20 Meditate

11:20-11:25 Slow walk

11:30-11:45 Break silence, discuss questions that have arisen

11:45-12:15 Mindful Lunch and meal cleanup

12:15-12:25 Break (honor full moon in light of the sun)

12:25-12:55 Meditate

12:55-1:00 Slow walk

1:05-1:45 Yoga (led by Caroling)

1:45-1:55 Break

1:55-2:25 Meditate

2:25-2:30 Slow walk

2:35-3:15 Outdoor walk (led by Nancy)

3:15-3:25 Break

3:25-3:55 Meditate

3:55-4:00 Slow walk

4:05-4:35 Tea and fruit, and cleanup

4:35-4:45 Break

4:45-5:15 Meditate

5:15-5:20 Slow walk

5:20-5:30 Closing ceremony (led by Caroling)

5:30-5:45 Break silence, discuss people’s comments and questions

5:45 End of day

Links

See more about the equinox and full moon.

See also 12 solstices and equinoxes.