​1-Day San Jose Retreat, February 4, 2018
DETAILS
Doug Kraft teaches how to gently and effectively cultivate wise-attention as a mindfulness meditation as described by the Buddha in the earliest texts. Doug is recognized as a masterful meditation guide and teacher. He stresses the need for ease and relaxation as a foundation for expansive progress to awakening wisdom.
Event Information
  • Date and Time: Sunday, Feb 4, 2018, 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM. 
  • Location: Community Room at Berryessa branch library.  
  • Address: 3355 Noble Ave, San Jose, CA 95132
  • Parking: There is plenty of parking in front of the library.
 
Please arrive early and get settled so we can start on time. We will break for lunch from 12:30 – 1 PM. Please bring lunch and beverages with you. Unfortunately, we do not have refrigerator or microwave at this facility. There are plenty of chairs for sitting or feel free to bring any cushions, blankets, special chairs you desire for your comfort.

We encourage you to turn off all cell phone and electronic devices to maintain silence as much as possible. Maintaining silence allows meditation to go deep and become richer.

Style of Meditation: In the earliest records of what the Buddha actually said about meditation, we find an elegant, nuanced, and amazingly effective practice. It is a cousin to the Insight Meditation often taught in this country. And, it has differences. It rejects one-pointed concentration and emphasizes relaxation, ease, and sense of humor. It blends the cultivation of ease with cultivation of insight. As your practice deepens, the instructions shift to take advantage of the experience you have gained.

This retreat will guide you gently and deeply through this practice of kindness and wisdom. Most of the day will be devoted to meditation practice. Doug will also offer instructions, short Dhamma talks, time for discussion, and some opportunities for individual interviews to help you fine-tune your meditation. New and experienced meditators are welcome.​
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3355 Noble Ave, San Jose, CA 95132
How to Register
Registration is limited to a first come, first serve basis. This retreat is offered for free. Donations (dana) may be given to further Doug's teaching and are gratefully accepted.
Donations can be made on-line on his website at: http://www.easingawake.org/donations.html. Or make checks payable to “Easing Awake” and mailed to: Easing Awake, 1126 McClaren Drive, Carmichael, CA 95608. Easing Awake, a 501(c)(3) organization and all your donations are tax-deductible.

doug Kraft

​Doug leads meditation classes and retreats in Sacramento and the San Francisco Bay Area.  He began his exploration in meditation in 1975 and continues to be just as enthusiastic about it today as he was then. He is a senior student of Bhante Vimalaramsi. Doug studied with other Theravada teachers including John Travis, Ajahn Tong, Larry Rosenberg, Corrado Pensa, Jack Kornfield, Joseph Goldstein, Sharon Salzberg, Christopher Titum, Joanna Macy, and Andy Olendski to name a few.
He teaches early Buddhist practices and is recognized as a masterful meditation guide. Doug is a counselor, therapist, and retired Unitarian Universalist Minister who lives with his wife, son, and two cats.
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​Doug is the author of Meditator's Filed Guide (2017) and Buddha's Map, (2013), Beginning the Journey, (2013), and other books.
Meditator's Field Guide is a collection of reflections on liberating insights that are easily forgotten. It’s a field guide for meditators on the path. It embeds ageless teachings in stories and images to bring them to life so they will stick with us and continue to guide us. 

It explores our inner landscape, particularly insights that touch us to the core but slide away like slippery fish. Sitting in meditation or hiking through mountains, we suddenly see life differently. Moments later the vision fades like a dream. We remember there was something important but can’t recall what it was. Many meditators have potentially life-changing revelations that their minds have difficulty absorbing. Learn more about the book at the Website.
Buddha’s Map offers rare and intimate insight to the meditative states Buddhist monks are not allowed to discuss. With clear and direct advice, Kraft shares his belief in everyone’s capacity to experience the ultimate in Buddhist meditation practice. 

Many contemporary schools of Buddhism have drifted away from the Buddha’s original teachings over the centuries. Now, we can still find His elegant, nuanced and efficient path. Learn more about the book at the Website.