Saturday, February 10, 12:45 – 4:30 pm                                                                                   

Advance registration is necessary  

Individual:    $20 if paid in advance ($25 if at the retreat)  

Family (2 or more people):  $30 ($40 if at retreat)

Scholarships are available

Come, take a break from winter – and maybe even bump up your levels of serotonin.   Although frequently imagined to be just a quiet sitting meditation, mindfulness is actually a dynamic and fully engaged way of going about life.   The mindfulness-based stress reduction programs of Jon Kabat-Zinn, are taught in hospitals around the world to help people deal with chronic physical and emotional pain and other health challenges.    His books, particularly Coming to Our Senses, and Full Catastrophe Living, are wonderful resources for understanding the how and the why of mindful living and in his writing, he encourages us to see that, through mindfulness practices, we develop an expanded awareness, and that this “awareness offers a safe haven in which to restore ourselves and rest in a vital and dynamic harmony, tranquility, creativity, and joyfulness.”

For our retreat and workshop, we will work on developing our “awareness” in a meditative environment and within the quiet stillness of shared practices.  Among the various exercises, we’ll work on sensory awareness,  qi gong movements, breath practices, and we’ll do some focused reflection.   There will also be suggestions for incorporating mindfulness into your daily activities.

Everyone is invited; no prior attendance or experience is necessary.  This program is open to the community and you may invite friends or family.  This program is suitable for youth, but probably a little challenging for very young children.   If you’re curious, Marc Stettner, Janet Burns, Irene Raven, or Linda Howanietz can offer insights into what they find beneficial about these practices.

In order to make arrangements for our space, an advance registration is necessary.   If you plan to attend, please let me or the office know by February 5.   The cost is $20 if paid in advance, and $25 if paid at the retreat. There’s a family discount — $30 for 2 or more people with advance payment and $40 for 2 or more, paid at the retreat.   All proceeds will be donated to the newly created Member Care discretionary fund, to serve members of our community in need.   If you have questions or need more information, please feel free to contact me:  m.e.tanabe@comcast.net,    phone   815 337 9895

Wishing you deep peace and joy,

M. E. (Emi) Tanabe

To register, please see me at church OR send me your intention and contact info.  All checks are made out to Tree of Life UU with “retreat” in the memo line.  Please, include your email address so that you can receive updates and reminders.  There are registration forms on the table in the fellowship room to give to Judy if I’m not available.