Zen

I

Integral Dying Intensive

Awakening through Dying

What is the opposite of death?  Is it life, birth, rebirth, or …?

Why is it that everyone knows they are going to die, and no one believes it?

How many times must we die before we surrender our suffering, and choose to be--fully alive?

A brush with death and dying unexpectedly creates a sudden opening where the possibility of deep spiritual transformation can occur.  The comfortable routine and rhythm in the mundane fabric of life is broken.  We are suddenly and abruptly thrust directly into the face of the unknown.  All that we have learned and think we know is of little use in the face of the vast unknowable mystery.  We find ourselves standing in poverty, stark naked and absolutely alone. 

In this world -- this modern and post-modern culture -- we are sheltered and insulated from experiences of death and dying.  This separation of dying from living creates an artificial diversion in the normal flow of life itself.  Birth, sickness and death are hidden away where they won’t disturb us, where they won’t lead us into the uncomfortable darkness beyond all that we have been taught and chosen to believe.  In this culture, we have been robbed of the very things which enable us to experience and appreciate our aliveness.

If you dare to venture into this wilderness, you might find yourself questioning the very ground on which you have chosen to stand.  You might stumble into the empty darkness and find an opening of unspeakable awe and mystery.  You might awaken something deep within you, that longs for timeless joy and grace.  By laying the foundations of a new Integral Cognitive Map and deeper understanding, you might leave with a new Integral Perspective of Death and Rebirth and discover unspeakable freedom right now in this life you are living as you evolve from one level of development to the next .

Bring your own Organic Lunch

I have already died many deaths. – In this workshop we will explore the many deaths and rebirths we have already experienced in this life time as we evolve from one Level / Stage of development to the next – transcending and including – dying to everything we know, then “not knowing”, and then we are suddenly reborn into the next stage of our life.

We will begin with the Integral Theories of Ken Wilber in order to build a cognitive framework -- a map; and then move directly into the actual experience of the actual territory of the eternal mystery of Deep Clear Mind using Mondo Zen™ a powerful technique created by Zen Master JunPo Denis Kelly, Roshi.  Once we have built this broad and deep foundation, we will move into sharing and exploring our own life experiences where confusion has grown and been built upon from deep rooted fears.  These  fears of living and dying manifest in the fabric of our actual relationships with each other in emotionally charged patterns of disturbance.  "The Great Liberation" is a choice to stand in the deep, fearless truth of who we are; free to be fully alive, united beyond the duality of subject and object fully participating as the very mystery of life.

Rev. doshin mj nelson is a poet, writer, speaker, workshop facilitator, Zen teacher and priest of no rank.  He is the founder of Integral Zen, Inc.  a Colorado branch of the Hollow Bones Zen Order and co-founder of the Poetry of Dying Project, an organization that provides support for those who have been deeply affected by a brush with dying, as well as those who choose to look into the mirror of death and then re-examine the quality and direction of their own lives.  To reach him: doshin@integralzen.org. 

“Experiences of death and dying provide priceless opportunities – gateless gates – that break the heart open to experiences of profound silence and grace”.  – Sensei doshin michael nelson

Awakening through Dying

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