CSD Program Descriptions
Meditation - Study - Retreats
“I had been trying to learn how to meditate on my own for years and years, thinking that meditation was a solitary spiritual practice, but just at the right time, Jerry introduced me to a meditation community. Through meditation practice and his guidance, I began seeing significant life transformation.” BH
The three elements of all CSD programs are to teach and purify meditation practice; to guide intensive inquiry through group process and dream work; and to nurture understanding of liberation by study of the source texts of the great religions and their spiritualities of enlightenment.
Instruction in Meditation
Through a minimum of four 90 minute sessions, Jerry Hanna provides instruction in meditation adapted to the individual healing needs and spiritual orientation of each person. The first session includes life review to clarify motives and desired outcomes of meditation, and to select appropriate practices. The following three sessions provide careful instruction and evaluation of meditation experiences.
Individual Spiritual Guidance
An essential resource for spiritual awakening is guided self-inquiry conducted in a safe and confidential personal relationship. Regular meditation practice sustained by each person engaged in this relationship is the creative center of the work. Jerry Hanna is available for in-person and phone sessions with individuals who seek guidance in their spiritual lives.
Continuing Classes
These classes all take place upstairs in Leffler House, adjacent to St. Mark's Cathedral at 1245 10th Avenue East, Seattle.
-Wednesday Evening Meditation: 7-9:00pm
This is a gathering of those who have received meditation instruction at the Center and have committed themselves to support the understanding and practice of enlightenment in community. The evening practice includes meditation, study of an enlightenment text, and reflection on experience. The current study is the Spirituality of the Hebrew Prophets.
-Saturday Meditation Seminar in Spiritual Inquiry: 8:00am to noon each Saturday
Saturday retreats are most helpful for those who have a well-established, daily meditation practice and are able to sustain meditation for as much as two hours. This is an opportunity for deep meditation, refinement of practice, individual and interpersonal healing, and discernment and support of life choices that further enlightenment.
-Tuesday Meditation and Study: 2:00-4:00pmOne hour of meditation followed by reading and discussion of various enlightenment texts.
Among other topics, this time period has been used to study various Christian texts, the Bahagavad Gita, the Upanishads, and the poetry of Rumi, Kabir and Walt Whitman. One series included videos of enlightenment teachers such as Ramana Maharshi, Maharishi, Gunga Gi, etc. Another series studied Islamic texts. Usually, the meditation practice is varied to attune to the tradition being studied, for example, using different mantras. The most recently completed class was Reflections on the Way of Holiness in Hasidism.
- Sitting With Grief Meeting time set by participants. A meditation and journaling group for adults who have experienced the death of a loved one. This ongoing group offers participants the opportunity to utilize meditation and journaling for exploring and understanding their grief. Participants will be taught a simple process of sitting in silence. Daily meditation and journaling is an expectation for group members but no prior experience is required. This class is led by Clarice Redmond, MSW, who has had a meditation practice since 1995 and has worked in hospice since 1996. Please call the Center for further information or to register.
Retreats (See also Readings on Retreats)
-Two Week-long Silent Retreats: Residential retreats are offered usually in February and July of each year. Retreat days include up to six hours of meditation practice, individual spiritual guidance, shared meal preparation and evening group process. Each person serves in timing meditation sessions, leading chants, cooking and cleaning. Twenty hours of silence are observed each day, with a great silence from Tuesday night through the end of the meditation period on Thursday. Six months of regular meditation practice after instruction at CSD are required before attending a silent retreat. Depending on the location, the cost ranges from $150 to $280. Please contact Jerry Hanna to register for a retreat.
Dates for 2010: The February retreat was held at Ft. Casey February 7-13. The summer retreatwill be August 1-7 at Sahale.
Dates for 2011: A two week retreat will be held February 13-26, 2011. The summer retreat date has not yet been set.
