Social Change, Meditation and Women's Retreat at the Upaya

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Monday, March 24, 2008

SOCIAL CHANGE, MEDITATION AND WOMEN'S RETREAT AT UPAYA

Santa Fe, New Mexico--The Upaya Zen Center offers practices and teachings on engaged Buddhism and on how the modern person can live in the world responsibly with kindness, compassion and wisdom. The Upaya Zen Center is hosting the following events this spring and summer:

THINKING LIKE A SYSTEM: How to Intervene in a System for Social Change
Thursday, April 3-Sunday, April 6, 2008
For many, the greatest challenge to living arises from interacting with social systems such as families, communities and work places. This training blends complexity science and Buddhist principles to guide interventions in these systems in order to foster positive social change. Drawing on emerging work in physics, neuroscience, biology and systems dynamics, participants will examine how the alignment of spiritual practice with science can open space for joyous collaboration and creativity. The instructors of Thinking Like a System are Merle Lefkoff and John Goekler. Merle Lefkoff holds a Ph.D in Political Science and has been involved in peacemaking and mediation efforts in some of the most troubled places on earth. John Goekler integrates emerging understanding in physics, neurobiology, systems dynamics and complexity science with spiritual traditions. Cost: $490/ $440 (Members)

ZAZENKAI
Saturday, April 12, 2008
This day-long silent meditation retreat provides the experience of deep periods of uninterrupted meditation. Participants will do sitting and walking meditation throughout the day, one hour of work practice, share three informal meals and attend a dharma talk in the afternoon. Interviews with the teachers. Meditation instruction is available for those new to practice. Beate Seishin Stolte is the instructor. Cost: $35.00

"IN THE SHELTER OF EACH OTHER" WOMEN'S RETREAT:
Spiritual Ground, Compassion, Resilience and the Shadow
Wednesday, July 16- Sunday, July 20, 2008
This annual ecumenical gathering for women explores how women address issues of power and its shadow, and explores compassion and resilience. It includes a unique faculty, and teachings, meditation, talks, council, the arts, yoga, healthy diet, and physical practice to strengthen our lives. The instructors are Roshi Joan Halifax, Zen teacher; Mayumi Oda, social activist and artist; Zuleikha, composer and dancer; Mother Tessa, author, and co-founder of The Desert Foundation; Cynthia West, poet and painter; Diane Haug, practitioner of Holotropic Breathwork; Rabbi Malka Drucker, author and founder of HaMakom; Barbara Tedlock, anthropologist, specialist in Mayan shamanism; Colleen Kelly, painter, environmentalist and Claudia Luisi-Flueckiger, therapist. Cost: $550/$500 (Members)

Upaya's mission is to encourage, develop and support a sincere and dedicated Buddhist practice community of those engaged in social and individual transformation .Upaya offers training, service and frequent programs:
• Practice and training programs in the dharma and social action.
• International travel and service programs in Asia.
• Dharma teachings by renowned teachers from around the world.
• Social action programs in the areas of dying, prison work, women's rights and the environment.
• The Prajna Mountain Forest Refuge, for wilderness and environmental programs.
• A unique program for the training of priests.
• A mature and harmonious residential community of service.
• Daily meditation practice, 7 to 8 a.m. and 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Free and open to the public.
• Dharma talks every Wednesday at 5:30 p.m. Free and open to the public.

Contact:
Jennifer Marshall
505-231-1776
jennifer@jmarshallplan.com
www.jmarshallplan.com