Classes with Mark Hart
Mark Hart has practiced Insight Meditation since 1981, studying primarily at Insight Meditation Society in Barre, MA. Since 2000 has also studied with teachers of non-dual awareness, including Adyashanti, and has incorporated that into his teaching. He is guiding teacher of the Bodhisara Dharma Community in Amherst, Massachusetts, on the teacher’s council at Insight Pioneer Valley in Easthampton, and adjunct religious advisor to Buddhist students at Amherst College. He holds a Ph.D in theology from Boston College, an MA in Counseling from Seattle University, and has a private practice of psychotherapy in Amherst.
Sunday Morning Sitting Group
Each group includes 45 minutes of sitting and 45 minutes of conversation in which we share, in a context of spiritual friendship, our own exploration of truth and freedom in our lives. Not a teacher-led group. Please arrive on time and leave promptly as a courtesy to the group and to the host. The group usually meets on Sundays 10:00-11:30 a.m. at Robin Kassis’s home in North Amherst—but not always, if she is away. If you are interested in attending, please contact Robin beforehand to be certain of the venue and to ask if there is currently space in the group. She can be reached at r2b2nkass@gmail.com
Tuesday Evening Meditation Courses
Registration Form: If you are taking any of the Tuesday evening courses, please contact Mark at markdhart56@gmail.com.Faith: Living in the Unknown
Tuesday evenings, 7:30-9:00 p.m.
January 21-February 25
The Cadigan Center, Amherst College
Suggested Donation: $75
“The Unknown” refers not just to the uncertainty of the future but also to the ground of our present experience—the mystery of consciousness, the where-from and where-to of this being we did not create. In the face of the unknown, we can fear and control, or we can trust and respond. This six-week course explores the possibilities of authentic faith, not mere beliefs to make the unknown seem known. Beginners welcome. Each class devotes 30 minutes to meditation, and students are encouraged to develop a regular meditation practice.
Directions to the Cadigan Center for Religious Studies, Amherst College
The Cadigan Center, 38 Woodside Avenue, Amherst is not on the main part of the campus but west of Route 116/South Pleasant Street by one block. Starting from the traffic light at the intersection of Route 9 and South Pleasant street by the Amherst Common, go west on Route 9 (toward Hadley and Northampton) and take the first left. Go down to the end of the block and the Cadigan Center is on your left just before you come to the intersection with Walnut Street. Coming from Hadley on Route 9 go past the Amherst College fields coming up the hill toward the common. Woodside is the right turn after Orchard St. the last right before the traffic light.
There is no parking on Woodside until you drive past the intersection with Walnut street. So don't park on the street in front of Cadigan. Keep going to park on the street. You may park at the Cadigan Center off the street, either in the circular driveway or on the side. Parking will take a little getting used to but there is plenty. It is also a brief walk from downtown.
January Retreat
Surrender to Being
Friday, January 3, 7-9 PM; Saturday, January 4, 9 AM-5 PM; Sunday, January 5, 9AM-Noon
The Hitchcock Center, 845 West Street in Amherst
Registration $50 plus dana for the teaching
In the winter, especially in the time following the holidays, we may be naturally drawn to rest, restore, go into stillness, and just be. This weekend non-residential retreat supports that movement as well as exploring the perennial question of how the anxious doer in the mind yields to being and how we come to know the depths of ourselves through surrendering to our ground. Within a container of Noble Silence, we will alternate periods of sitting and walking mediation as well as have time for teaching, questions, and sharing. Early registration is encouraged as this retreat fills up.
Friday, January 3, 7-9 PM; Saturday, January 4, 9 AM-5 PM; Sunday, January 5, 9AM-Noon
The Hitchcock Center, 845 West Street in Amherst
Registration $50 plus dana for the teaching
In the winter, especially in the time following the holidays, we may be naturally drawn to rest, restore, go into stillness, and just be. This weekend non-residential retreat supports that movement as well as exploring the perennial question of how the anxious doer in the mind yields to being and how we come to know the depths of ourselves through surrendering to our ground. Within a container of Noble Silence, we will alternate periods of sitting and walking mediation as well as have time for teaching, questions, and sharing. Early registration is encouraged as this retreat fills up.
