March Equinox 2011

Day-long silent meditation retreat

What I have to do is fullmoon instructions 2, walk 40, qigong 20, yoga 40, conclusion 10.

Welcome to a day of silent meditation and quiet activities sponsored by the Emerald Coast Meditation Society on Saturday March 19 (full moon at 12:11 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

TODO Talk about full moon lineup happening at 12:11, when take a break after lunch. Need printouts of pictures.

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)

TODO

Take walk and figure out if better places to go. Be sure to time it.

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 (by Caroling)

TODO Research standing, twirling, and how can integrating breathing out, etc. Maybe some of Joen's exercises. See if can do in garden.

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 (including full moon: 12:11)

12:25-12:55 Meditate

12:55-1:00 Slow walk

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

TODO Review previous and see if can get it less wordy, improved. Integrate myofascial

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) TODO Talk about solstice and the lineup and the direction of the galaxy. Maybe handout if some great website

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

5:45 End of day

See more about the equinox and full moon, including a conclusion (coming up soon).

See also 12 solstices and equinoxes.