Awakening our Hearts: Day-Long Retreat w/Arinna Weisman

This day is for those who identify as white. By becoming aware of our group identity as whites and by owning the privileges of access to power and resources, we are able to transform ourselves and our ability to be in authentic relationships across differences. We begin to work towards the creation of multicultural communities by addressing the changes needed to bring about true inclusion.

Buddhism has as its refuge and vision a heart that is unrestricted, luminous, and free. As we practice the eight-fold path our hearts begin to open and call us to explore unconscious beliefs and behaviors that cause harm and suffering to others and ourselves. One of the areas this habitual expression takes place is how we as white people are unaware of the ways we build identities of whiteness which cover our hearts and separate ourselves from people of color.

Our exploration grows from the premise that we always are deserving of love and that self-judgment is a barrier to open-heartedness and new learning. Our gathering will be conducted using practices of awareness, loving kindness, patience, truthfulness, and the invitation to skill development. As we increase our understanding and deepen our exploration, we may find ourselves experiencing a new freedom of expression unobstructed by constructions of identities around whiteness.

Together we will co-create a container of safety to explore through meditation, dyad and group sharing our inner and outer experience. No previous experience necessary.

 Arinna Weisman

Arinna has studied insight meditation since 1979 and has been teaching since 1989. Her root teacher is Ruth Denison who was empowered by the great teacher U Bha Khin.  She is the founding teacher of Dhamma Dena Meditation Center (now Insight Meditation Center of Pioneer Valley Dhamma Dena). She is co-author of the book, A Beginner’s Guide to Insight Meditation. Her passion is integrating multiculturalsim into the teachings of awakening and building diverse sanghas.

Suggested Donations

• The Suggested Donation to Insight PV for this event covers our expenses: rent, staffing, supplies, etc. We maintain our policy of welcoming each person, no matter their ability to pay. If you are unable to make the Suggested Donation, please select the "I really can't afford to pay anything" button on the Registration Page.
• At the retreat, you are also encouraged to give a Suggested Donation to the Teacher in an amount equal to or larger than the the Suggested Donation for Registration. Insight PV teachers rely on student donations for their livelihoods and professional development expenses. If you must make a choice between supporting Insight PV and supporting the Teacher, please save your funds and make a donation to the Teacher.
• You will receive a Teacher Donation Envelope during the offering. You may place the envelope with your contribution to the Teacher into the Teacher Donation Box whenever you choose to do so during the offering. 
• Insight PV is your meditation center. You benefit from the teachings. Only with your support, can we continue to make our offerings available. Please reflect on the influence of the teachings in your life and on their value to you.