The Online Whole Life Program 2010 has begun
A unique opportunity to practice interpersonal meditation with an international Sangha!

Our life is our practice

The Buddha taught a dispensation that encompasses the entire spectrum of life. He taught awareness and contemplation of the nature of experience, in all postures and in all activities. In Western lay life, many Buddhist practitioners have come to place a premium on silent retreat practice. But in truth, the opportunities for unbinding are with us morning, noon and night. They present themselves in simple personal activities like brushing our teeth or washing dishes, and they also present themselves in the complexity of relationship. Our interactions with friends, family, coworkers, and the people we meet throughout our days, all contain within them the opportunity for us to awaken to how things are.

An all encompassing Program
The Whole Life Program is an integrated program of practice and study that is designed to aid dedicated students in bringing the Dhamma to all aspects of their lives. The Whole Life Program seeks to break down the barriers between retreat practice and everyday life; to provide an integrated experience of personal practice and interpersonal practice; and most importantly, to bring the whole of the Dhamma to an engaged life.

How do we practice?
The first module of Metta Foundation's Whole Life Program will be finishing up in December. This program has been a great success and we'd like to offer this course to a new group of students. The basic commitment to the program is to show up for a 90 minute weekly Insight Dialogue session. Groups will be held at a variety of times and we'll seek to accommodate schedules as we're able. These cohorts will be led by Insight Dialogue facilitators who have completed the first WLP module, have received training in ID facilitation, and who are involved in ongoing training with ID teachers. There will be bi-weekly contemplations written by Gregory Kramer and other Insight Dialogue teachers, and a bulletin board community to support the inquiry into these contemplations. There will also be a monthly Dhamma talk held via conference call with an Insight Dialogue teacher, as well as audio talks recorded by Gregory. There will also be the opportunity for personal interviews.

What do we teach each other?
The first program module focuses on the Four Noble Truths. This is foundational work. We explore these teachings in a way that includes some grasp of the traditional understanding, but that emphasizes an in-depth and interpersonal understanding of these teachings. For those only modestly familiar with this material, this first module provides a platform for understanding the Dhamma as a here-and-now teaching, visible at many layers and at all times. For those who know this material from prior study, we hope our work together will unfold elements never before considered or just not fully understood.

Our aspirations

• Deepening the practice of the interpersonal meditation practice Insight Dialogue
• Establishing an active international Sangha
• Lay the groundwork for a comprehensive, lived understanding of the Buddha's teachings about this human experience
  
  

Who should Apply?

• Whole Life Program is open to dedicated practitioners of all meditation lineages.
• Experience with the practice of Insight Dialogue is preferred, but not required
• Be prepared to participate at least 2.5 hours per week (details below) 
• Maintain a daily silent practice
  
• Have attended at least one silent retreat of a week or longer

  

Start of Program and Duration
Whole Life Program runs from March 8, 2010 until May 8, 2011