Freedom from Fear: A 7-Day Meditation Program

[thoreau]

I was talking with steven_homer about fear and it's role in our lives. Ever since I read Susan Piver's book in 2006, I have arranged time to do her 7-Day meditation program each year - - and it is about time I did it again.

What I'd like to suggest is that (if you are interested) we create a group here on LJ that do this 7-day program together. Not necessarily starting on the same day - although it would be truly ideal. and journal about our experiences separately and then share our journals and paths with one another after the 7-days is complete. The idea is to experience the 7 day program independently - then get together afterward online and discuss it.

As Susan says in her book, "it’s easy to become convinced of the value of meditation, generosity, patience, and so on. But what happens when, based on theory alone, you try to bring
these qualities into everyday life? If you’re like me, not much. I need to practice these skills over and over before they begin to make sense. The Freedom from Fear program is meant to lead you through the steps that create genuine and lasting change. Now is the time to put a stake in the ground, take action, and see how (or if ) these ideas work in your life. You don’t
have to wait for the perfect day or until you quit smoking or lose ten pounds before you begin practicing meditation to cultivate gentleness, delight, confidence, and joy. The best time is now. Once you make the commitment to try, you’ll be surprised to find support coming to you from everywhere you look."

If you are game for this exercise, hit me with a comment and we'll start discussing it. I think that when we do these kinds of retreats for ourselves, we can learn a lot about ourselves and how we interact with the world around us.

Here's Susan's PDF description of the 7 day program:
http://susanpiver.com/documents/Freedom_From_Fear.pdf

Give it a look - and if it sounds like something you'd like to do for yourself, give it a try and share the results and thoughts (that you want to share outside of yourself) on your LJ and lets talk about it.

Comments

[eric-mathgeek.livejournal.com]

It sounds interesting, but I don't think I can (or maybe am willing to) do the initial retreat! :(

[low-fat-muffin.livejournal.com]

a Friday at 5pm to Sunday at 1pm by yourself? that part?

[nyrimmer.livejournal.com]

I'd like to do this in the summer when I can spend a week up in the woods at my place in the Adirondacks all by myself.No phone,electricity,running water (other than the stream) and no neighbors.Cooking simple on the fire or the wood stove. Is there a time thing on this?like the next two weeks or something like that or can it wait until July?

[eric-mathgeek.livejournal.com]

Yep, that part.

[low-fat-muffin.livejournal.com]

taking an opportunity like this for yourself is never on a timeline.... :) if you do choose to do it up in the Adirondacks next summer let me know :)

[nyrimmer.livejournal.com]

It will be this summer in either July or August. Would you like to go there sometime?I used to spend weeks out there alone when I was younger.After a couple days the animals would start to come around.It was really nice , a very good place to do this sort of thing.

[steven-homer.livejournal.com]

I'm intrigued. It's obviously something I'd have to do later in the summer, simply because there seems to be a fair amount of stuff to put together. Or is that fear talking?

[kroyd.livejournal.com]

Just this very morning; on this very day; I was looking at meditation retreats and yoga retreats. In an alternate reality I become a Buddhist monk. I long for simplicity. Meditation would help quench that longing. The Self Realization Hermitage and Meditation Gardens in Encinitas would be a great place for the first thirty-six hours. I'm serious about doing this. I need it for my physical, mental and spiritual health.

BTW: In yet another alternate reality I work as a circus clown. LOL

[balanceinchaos.livejournal.com]

thank you for sharing this, I will make note of it for a future time... at present I've just started the 12 week "Artist's Way" program... I think I should probably not try to take on too many at once :)

[low-fat-muffin.livejournal.com]

when you want to give yourself an opportunity like this - life will open the window. I've done it before and it's simply amazing. I need to work it in my next couple of months as well.

[low-fat-muffin.livejournal.com]

The Artists Way - and The Artists Way for Professionals are beautiful programs. I used to facilitate workshops based on both programs at Boise State University. :)Congrats for taking it on!

[low-fat-muffin.livejournal.com]

(see my icon)

I think what meditation does for me - is it allows me to push away the mental chatter and 'stuff' and it creates (for me) a moment where I'm the Ipod and I'm plugged into the universe; purposefully recharging. and this program is a great way to remind myself the deeper reasons why without a meditation practice - I'd be stark raving insane. or at least more than I am currently. (wink)

[eric-mathgeek.livejournal.com]

I might be able to swing it after early July, if the desire to do it as a group is strong...