| Deep Spring Center for Meditation and Spiritual Inquiry |
| Classes, Programs and Workshops (updated 8/4/08) |
| Printable (pdf) version of Fall 2008 Calendar |
The foundation of our meditation program is Insight Meditation (Vipassana). It is a simple and direct practice: the moment-to-moment investigation of the mind/body process through calm, focused awareness. It allows us to experience sensations, emotions, thoughts and consciousness with greater clarity and balance. This clarity frees our mind from conditioned patterns of self-centeredness, negativity and confusion; it opens our heart to deeper wisdom and compassion. This process of opening, non-judgmentally and compassionately to ourselves, moves from the sitting period to the whole of our lives. We begin to know each moment as practice for our growth toward wholeness and harmony. We balance insight practice with lovingkindness and a deepening awareness of our true nature, which is eternal and present now. Although the practices are derived from Buddhist teachings, no special religious beliefs are necessary; we perform no religious rituals. The meditation practices are suitable for those of any or no religion. In classes and retreat, we also work with other forms of meditation that nurture non-dual awareness and open the heart.
Many classes/programs at Deep Spring Center have a building fee, which goes directly to support the rental and operation of the facility. The rate is $7 per week of class, which equates to $49 for a 7-week session and $70 for a 10-week session. See specific class listing for detail. No one will be denied participation for financial reasons.
All Deep Spring teachers offer their time on a dana basis, joyfully sharing the teachings. Your free-will offerings to the teachers are welcomed.
With your support, we can continue to offer a range of programs and activities at Deep Spring Center.
Dana (pronounced “dah-na”) is a Pali word meaning “gift” or “giving.” It is closely related to the virtue of generosity and is expressed in many forms—the offering and sharing of our time, energy, knowledge/expertise, material items and financial resources. Dana is a purely volitional act of giving in which we develop our ability to let go, convey our compassion and caring, demonstrate our commitment, and acknowledge our interdependence and connectedness.
To register for Deep Spring classes and programs, please submit program/building fee, your contact information—name, address, phone, email—and the class/program name to Deep Spring Center. Registration handled by another organization/individual will be so noted in the program’s description.
Classes at DSC: pre-registration required
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Dharma and Meditation: Deepening Practice |
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Tuesdays |
7 sessions |
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$49 (building fee) with an opportunity to offer dana
for the teachers. Pre-registration required. |
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6:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. |
9/23, 10/7, 10/21, 11/4, 11/18, 12/2, 12/16. |
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Wednesdays |
6 sessions |
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$42 (building fee)
with an opportunity to offer dana for the teacher. Pre-registration required. |
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7:15 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. |
9/17, 10/1, 10/15, 11/5, 11/12, 12/3
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Thursday Continuing Meditation Practice/Study Group: |
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Thursdays |
8 sessions |
| $56 (building fee) with an opportunity to offer dana for
the teacher. Pre-registration required. We will study the implications of taking refuge in Buddha, Dhamma, and Sangha, with primary focus on group support of practice issues, Sutta study, and investigation of the lives of the Masters. We will also begin an in-depth study of the four frames of reference recommended in meditation practice by the Buddha for the development of “the direct path to realization.” This is the third series in a long-term practice/study group that will run through 2010. Permission of teacher required for students who were not in last semester's series. For more information on class content or permission to register contact David at 734-662-8317. |
7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. |
9/11, 9/25, 10/9, 10/23, 11/6, 11/20, 12/4, 12/18 |
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Transformational Breath Class for Meditators |
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Thursdays |
6 sessions |
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$42 (building fee) with an opportunity to offer dana for
the teacher. Pre-registration required. Prerequisite: A beginning level vipassana class. |
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7:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. |
9/18, 10/2, 10/16, 10/30, 11/13, 12/11 |
| Taming Your Inner Critic Lou Weir All levels |
Saturdays | 6 sessions | |
| $42 (building fee) with an opportunity to offer dana for the teacher.
Pre-registration required. Class will investigate the inner critic, to see how it plagues us with self-criticism, doubt or harsh judgment of ourselves or others. Using meditation, psychological exercises and discussion we will shed light on this inner coercion. Bringing more compassion and understanding to this area can lead to greater inner freedom. For more information on class content, contact Lou at louisweir@comcast.net or 734-663-1675. |
9:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. |
10/18, 10/25, 11/1, 11/8, 11/15, 11/22
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| For
Beginners: Introduction to Meditation Workshop DSC Teachers (see below) Beginning level and anyone wanting a review of the basic instructions |
Saturdays | As scheduled | |
| $20 per session (building fee) with an opportunity to offer dana for the teachers.
Pre-registration is requested and appreciated; but walk-ins are welcome. An introduction to insight meditation; no experience necessary. Wear comfortable clothes. Cushions and chairs are provided. If you have questions about the program content, contact the teacher. |
1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. |
11/15 |
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Classes Registered Outside of DSC
Contacts for registration are included in the individual class listings.
The Ann Arbor Recreation and Education Department (Rec&Ed) classes, taught by DSC teachers and held in the public schools, offer basic and continuing instruction for insight meditation and continuing practice. To register for these classes, call the Adult Enrichment area at 734-994-2300, ext. 53203, or see Ann Arbor Public Schools Community Education and Recreation’s web page: www.aareced.com. Fee is paid to Ann Arbor Public Schools for the AA Recreation and Education Department classes. You may call the teachers listed below for further information.
| Summertime Insight Meditation and the Practice of Happiness David Lawson, Frank Levey and Lisa Zucker All Levels — basic instruction will be provided for beginners |
Thursdays | 8 sessions
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| $79 ($95 outside AA school district). Note: Class will be held at DSC. Insight meditation is a profound practice of moment-to-moment awareness of mind/body processes as a path to freedom. As we begin to free ourselves from habitual patterns that have caused our suffering, we start to experience the open, radiant heart that has always been with us but has often gone unnoticed. This class provides instruction in the ancient method of insight meditation as well as powerful support practices that lead the heart to happiness. For more information about program content contact David at 734-662-8317. For registration, see www.aareced.com or contact Adult Enrichment, Community Rec & Ed, at 734-994-2300, ext. 53203. Class size limited; early registration recommended. |
7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. | 7/10, 7/17, 7/24, 7/31, 8/7, 8/14, 8/21, 8/28 |
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Insight Meditation and the Practice of Happiness |
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Mondays, |
6 sessions
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$59 ($69 outside AA school district). Held at Tappan Media Center. |
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7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. |
9/22, 9/29, 10/6, 10/13, 10/20, 10/27 |
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Continuing Insight Meditation |
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Tuesdays, |
6 sessions |
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$59 ($69 outside AA school district). Held at Harmony
Yoga. |
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7:30 p.m.. – 9:00 p.m. |
9/23, 10/7, 10/21, 11/4, 11/18, 12/2 |
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Insight Meditation and the Practice in Everyday Life |
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Saturdays |
6 sessions |
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$59 ($69 outside AA school district). Held at Tappan Media Center. |
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9:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. |
9/20, 9/27, 10/4, 10/11, 10/18, 10/25 |
Drop-In Programs and Other Opportunities
| Monday Evening Group Meditation in Canton, MI Mary Grannan and Hugh Danville All levels of meditators are welcome! No registration necessary. |
Mondays | Weekly | |
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Offered as dana; donations are appreciated. |
7:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. | ||
| Tuesday Morning Group Meditation All levels of meditators are welcome! No registration necessary. | Tuesdays | Weekly | |
| Offered as dana; donations to DSC are appreciated. Sitting meditation to start the day! Please enter and depart in silence. (Instruction is not provided.) For more information contact Bilha at 734-369-3256 or ybrivlin@comcast.net. |
6:30 a.m. – 7:15 a.m. | ||
| Healing Circle All are welcome! | Tuesdays | Weekly | |
| Offered as dana. Donations to DSC are appreciated. We’ll sit together, then offer or receive the loving touch of health and wholeness! Please come whenever you can or join us at that time in Spirit from wherever you are. Also, let us know of your wellness concerns and we will “call you in” and “hold you in the light” at our group’s gathering. Address all questions to Cassie Cammann at 734-662-6704. |
12 noon – 1:00 p.m. | ||
| Yoga Practice All are welcome! No registration necessary. |
Wednesdays | Weekly | |
| Offered as dana. The class, taught by Deep Spring experienced yogis, is an exploration of bringing mindfulness and balanced effort to our practice of yoga postures. Class structure will be sitting meditation, yoga postures and relaxation. Please bring a mat and/or blanket to class if you have your own. For more information contact Dorothy Ann Coyne at 734-930-0192. | 10:30 a.m. – 12 noon | ||
| Wednesday Lunch and Conversation All are welcome! |
Wednesdays | Weekly | |
| Bring a lunch—brown bag it or pick up something nearby. Please drop in any week and join the fun and conversation. | 12 noon – 1:00 p.m. | ||
| Wednesday Evenings with Aaron Barbara Brodsky and Aaron All are welcome! No experience or registration necessary. |
Wednesdays | As scheduled | |
| Offered as dana. An open session with Aaron and Barbara. Aaron gives a talk, followed by a short social break; he will then answer questions. |
7:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. |
9/24 10/29 11/19 12/17 |
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Sunday Morning Group Meditation Susan Weir All are welcome! No registration necessary. |
Sundays | Weekly | |
| Offered as dana; donations to DSC are appreciated. Sitting meditation begins at 10:00 a.m., followed by a half-hour of mindful sharing. For more information, please contact Susan at 734-663-1675 or seaweir@gmail.com. | 10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. | ||
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Counseling Meetings and Meditation Interviews Barbara Brodsky and/or Aaron | by appointment only |
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| Available by appointment and held in the meditation hall at 3455 Charing Cross Road, Ann Arbor. Rates for counseling meetings are on a sliding scale. Meditation interviews are available on a dana basis. Please contact Barbara at bbrodsky@deepspring.org or call 734-971-3455 for more information or to make an appointment. | |||
Day-Long Programs and Special Events
| Meditation: Day of Practice Carol Blotter All levels | Sundays as scheduled |
Aug. 3 Oct. 5 Nov. 2 |
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$30 per day paid to
Michigan Friends Center in Chelsea, Mich.; no one denied participation for financial reasons. One-day retreats
are a great opportunity to enjoy deep meditation and to experience support for our practice.
The day includes brief meditation instructions, sitting and walking meditation, a dharma talk
and, if requested, private interviews with a teacher. Please bring your own lunch (there is a
refrigerator). Chairs are available; but please bring your own cushions if you prefer the
carpeted floor. Held at Michigan Friends Center near Chelsea, Michigan. These retreats are fundraisers for the Michigan Friends Center and Deep Spring Center: all proceeds above expenses will benefit these two non-profit organizations. In the tradition of dana, gifts of generosity, the teachings are offered freely. The teacher receives no payment. At the program, there will be a dana basket for free-will offering. For more information or to register, please call Carol Blotter, 734-475-0942. |
9:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Check-in begins
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| Days of Meditation: Instruction and Practice Barbara Brodsky and Carol Blotter All levels | Saturday and/or Sunday |
Sept. 20, 2008 and/or Sept. 21, 2008 |
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| $30 per day paid to Michigan Friends Center; no one
denied participation for financial reasons. Join us for a day in a woodland sanctuary on the
lake at Michigan Friends Center in Chelsea. Bring a bag lunch (and your swimsuit). This
meditation day is held in silence and is appropriate for beginners and those with Vipassana
(insight meditation) experience. Experienced practitioners may choose the quiet room some of
the day and will have separate instruction. Instruction in sitting and walking meditation will
be provided at all levels, and there will be time for questions (private meetings with teachers may be arranged). This retreat is a fundraiser
for the Michigan Friends Center and Deep Spring Center: all proceeds above expenses will
benefit these two non-profit organizations. Dana will be accepted by the teachers. For
more information, call Carol at 734-475-0942. To register, send payment with your name, address, phone and email to Carol Blotter, 780 N. Freer
Road, Chelsea, MI 48118. See flyer with registration form. Attend both days, $50, to create a weekend retreat! |
9:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. check-in begins at 8:30 a.m. | ||
| Experiencing Non-Duality Mary Grannan All levels |
Saturday |
Dec. 6 |
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| $20 (building fee) with an opportunity to offer dana
for the teacher. Pre-registration required. A quiet (almost wordless) workshop to explore experientially non-duality. For more information on program content contact Mary at 734-453-8915. |
9:30 a.m. – 12 noon |
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| The Dharma Within: A Day of Meditation, Reflection and Dialogue Barbara Brodsky, Aura Glaser, Haju Sunim and Ajahn Thanasanti Experienced |
Saturday | Dec. 13 | |
| Details to be determined. A day of dharma with prominent local teachers from three Ann Arbor meditation centers of differing Buddhist traditions, joined by a Theravada nun from England.: Barbara of Deep Spring Center, Aura of Jewel Heart, Haju of Zen Buddhist Temple and Thanasanti of Cittaviveka Chithurst Buddhist Monastery. Held in Ann Arbor. |
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