Sylvia Boorstein

(SPRING 2013)

Sylvia Boorstein, PhD., is a co-founding teacher of Spirit Rock Meditation Center in Woodacre, CA. She has been teaching retreats and workshops at Spirit Rock as well as nationally and internationally since 1985. She is also a LCSW and has been a psychotherapist since 1967. She is the author of five books on Buddhism and mindfulness, the most recent of which is Happiness Is An Inside Job: Practicing For a Joyful Life.

COURSE: Saturday & Sunday, February 11-12
Introduction to the Theory and Practice of Mindfulness meditation for therapists
In this workshop with renowned dharma teacher and psychotherapist Sylvia Boorstein, we will develop a familiarity with the techniques of mindful attention, and alternate periods of didactic instruction with sitting, walking, and eating meditation practices. Through instruction and practice, this two day intensive will focus on the four perspectives that the Buddha suggested for developing keen, balanced attention and then applying this to psychotherapy. The emphasis will be on experiencing authentic insights that in turn liberate the mind from its habits of suffering.

The second day will emphasize Lovingkindness meditation as a formal. Particular attention to the presence (or absence) of good will is central to any healing relationship. While insight and advice matters, the presence of an empathic bond based on the feeling of mutual respect and attention is central to effective therapy. The techniques and approaches presented here will help practitioners evolve this capability.