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Insight Chicago and University of Chicago Buddhist Association host Jon Aaron for an in-person, daylong retreat at Augustana Church, in Hyde Park

Holding the uncertainties in our individual lives can be challenging enough, but when we add the uncertainties of society — war and violence, the climate crisis, political divisions, and many more — it can be overwhelming. Can we turn toward this fact of life with Joy as opposed to fear and doubt? Is it even possible to treat this uncertainty as another kind of refuge?

This day of practice will integrate meditation, chanting, movement and dialogue to explore the nature of uncertainty. In the context of the three Refuges of Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha we discover how uncertainty itself can become a refuge.

This retreat will be primarily held in Noble Silence. Prior meditation experience will be helpful.

Location

The retreat will take place at Augustana Church in Hyde Park

What to Bring

Wear loose and comfortable clothing. Bring a cushion and mat if you prefer to sit on the floor (please note that the floor does not have carpeting so a yoga mat or small blanket under your feet may be helpful). There will also be seating in the church pews.

Registration

Registration is by donation. There is a suggested donation of $20. Please feel free to contribute whatever amount feels comfortable for you, with a minimum of $1. Any amount you donate will help cover the cost of rent and administrative expenses. No one will be turned away for lack of funds.

Dana

Jon Aaron offers this retreat freely, in the Buddhist tradition of dana (giving). There will be an opportunity to contribute dana to Jon Aaron at the end of the retreat. To find out more about dana, go here.

Questions? Contact ICMC at events@insightchicago.org.

About Jon Aaron

Jon has been a teacher at NY Insight since 2006.  His principal dharma teachers have been Matthew Flickstein of The Forest Way and Kittisaro and Thanissara of The Sacred Mountain Sangha. He is a Certified Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Teacher and Teacher Trainer and has taught over 100 cycles of the seminal curriculum.  He leads retreats in the US and in Europe.  He is the co-guiding teacher of the Makom Meditation Havurah program at the Jewish Community Center.  He is a certified Somatic Experience Practitioner® and an Accredited teacher of Mindfulness for Heath from Breathworks in the UK.  Jon is a co-founder of the MBSR Teachers Collaborative of Greater New York and a founding member of the Global Mindfulness Collaborative.  Recently, with his partner Upayadhi, he established Space2Meditate.com, an online community for meditators that started in the context of the pandemic and has been thriving ever since. jonaaron.net