About the Event​

“Of all the footprints,” said the Buddha, “that of the elephant is supreme. Similarly, of all mindfulness meditation, that on death is supreme.” This retreat is an opportunity to take these words into our hearts and to allow them to radically transform the way we live our lives. A major focus of this weekend will be the practice of sitting and walking meditation in silence. There will be meditation instruction, dharma talks, and periodic discussions. In addition, we’ll do some experiential exercises that will deepen our understanding of the ways in which befriending death can inspire us to celebrate our lives, to love well, and to die in peace. 

 

David Chernikoff is a meditation teacher, Community Dharma Leader, and spiritual counselor who taught psychology and meditation at Naropa University for many years. In the early 1980s, he worked at Ram Dass’s Hanuman Foundation Dying Center in Santa Fe, New Mexico and then became the director of Mesilla Valley Hospice in Las Cruces, N.M. He later spent three years in Nepal doing public health development work for the Seva Foundation and studying with Tibetan Buddhist teachers. After returning to the U.S. he became the education and training director for the Spiritual Eldering Institute, now called Sage-ing International. In that role, he taught conscious aging programs throughout the U.S., in Canada, and in Ireland. David is currently one of the guiding teachers of the Insight Meditation Community of Colorado and he continues to teach retreats throughout the country. David is the author of Life, Part Two: Seven Keys to Awakening with Purpose and Joy as You Age. For more information, please see www.davidchernikoff.com.

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Schedule*

Friday, April 11, 2025

3:30-5:30 pm  Arrival and Registration

6:00-6:45        Dinner

6:45 – 7:30      Work Meditation 

7:30-8:15 pm    Orientation and Opening Talk/Instructions 

8:15-9:00 pm    Evening Practice 

9:00 pm            Rest or Further Practice

 

Saturday, April 12, 2025

6:30 Wake-up Bell 

7:00 Sitting Meditation 

7:30 Breakfast 

8:15-9:30 Work Meditation 

9:30 Morning Instruction (all attend) 

11:00 Walking Meditation 

11:30 Sitting Meditation 

12:00 Walking Meditation 

12:30 Lunch 

1:15 – 2:00 Work Meditation 

2:00 Sitting 

2:30 Walking Meditation / Movement (optional) 

3:15 Afternoon Instructions (all attend) 

4:15 Walking Meditation 

4:45 Sitting Meditation 

5:30 Walking Meditation 

6:00 Dinner

6:45 – 7:30 Work meditation 

7:30 dana talk by FLM then Dharma Talk by teacher (all attend) 

8:30 Walking Meditation 

9:00 Sitting Meditation 

9:30 pm   Rest or Further Practice

 

Sunday April 13, 2025

6:30 Wake-up Bell 

7:00 Sitting Meditation 

7:30 Breakfast

8:15-9:30 Work Meditation/ Room and Center Clean-up 

9:30-11:00  Sitting Meditation and Closing

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*Schedule detail subject to change, but arrival times and meals times will not change.

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If you have questions or need additional information about this retreat or other Flowering Lotus program offerings, please contact:

 

Beth Herzig, Retreat Director

floweringlotusms@gmail.com

601-918-8510

 

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