with Robert Lurye and Tim Colohan JDPSN
Saturday, May 10th
9:00AM - 3:00PM
In Person
We invite the LGBTQ+ Community and their Allies to a one day retreat. Our purpose is to create a safe space where we support each other's liberation through sexuality, gender and race.
About the Retreat
In this retreat we will explore how sangha wisdom opens our hearts and minds into helping each other become free to be our whole selves.
Looking deeply and lovingly at our wounds we become still. Stillness is the prerequisite for healing. Our broken hearts bleed gold. This gold is our wisdom which we can then use to help ourselves and others. Stillness is our substance. Gender, sexuality & race are our truth. Attain those and their correct function spontaneously appear moment by moment by moment. Then our correct function in this world is possible. This is Great Love and the Great Bodhisattva Way.
We will start the day using the Satipatthana Sutta as inspiration for Robert's guided meditation, including movement practice to return to our direct experience of our bodies. “It is already apparent in all things.”
From there we will recognize, welcome and inquire into the limitations/hindrances/obstacles of freedom that are present in our body/heart/mind. “Without cultivation, you are already complete.”
Using “knowing” and “don’t know” we will press the clear button of our body/heart/mind and practice non-attached thinking/feeling.
Thereby we extinguish our attachment to concepts. This non-clinging leads to freedom through our sexuality and gender.
Schedule
9:00AM – Welcome and Introductions, reciting the Four Great Vows
9:10AM – Robert, guided meditation, movement
9:40AM – Seated Meditation (open awareness)
10:10AM – Tea Break (maintain silence)
10:30AM – Dharma Talks on residing in our bodies, healing with meditation. Substance, truth, function. Questions and Comments.
11:30AM – Meditation
12:00PM – Lunch Break (maintain silence)
1:00PM – Sitting Meditation
1:25PM – Walking Meditation
1:30PM – Dharma Talks - Using “knowing” and “don’t know” to attain our identity for all beings. (Not for me.) Questions and Comments.
2:15PM – Sitting Meditation
2:40PM – Reflections and Circle Talk
2:55PM – Chanting the Heart Sutra, Metta Chant and Closing
Cost
The class is being offered for $55. For our Sustaining Members, we are offering the class at a discounted rate of $45.
If you cannot afford the full fee, choose “Reduced Fee” on the registration form below and please let us know in the comments field what you can afford. Volunteers at our events are always appreciated.
If you can contribute additional funds, your contributions help keep our services available, compensate teachers and staff, and make classes available for those who cannot afford them.
How to Join the Retreat in Two Easy Steps
Fill out the registration form by clicking the button below.
Submit your payment using one of the methods listed.
1. Register
Please make sure to register in order to be added to the roster. To do so, click the button below, fill out the form and submit. If you cannot afford the full fee, choose “Reduced Fee” on the registration form and please let us know in the comments field what you can afford.
2. Payment
Please make sure to register above prior to submitting your payment. If you’re registering for more than one date, kindly submit payment for all classes. If you chose “Reduced Fee,” do not pay at this time and we will reach out to you with details. To sign up as a Sustaining Member and receive the discounted rate, click here.
Pay With Venmo: Venmo username: @LBMeditation. Last 4-digits 2827
Pay via Zelle: Send to payments@longbeachmeditation.org
Send checks or money orders to:
Long Beach Meditation, 375 Redondo Ave. #178, Long Beach, CA 90814
In-Person Information
We meet in the Gabrielson Chapel of Bay Shore Church on The Toledo and Granada Ave in Belmont Shore. This space is ADA Accessible, LGBTQ+ welcoming, and there are gender neutral restrooms.
Bay Shore Church
5100 E. The Toledo
Long Beach, CA 90803
The doors will close promptly at the start of the program. We recommend arriving 5-10 minutes early to make tea if you prefer and get settled. Upon entry we ask that you silence your devices. If you arrive after the start of the program, please knock and we will happily open the door for you.
Parking: There is a free lot across Granada Ave. Parking passes will be available at event check-in. Street parking is also available. Please observe all parking signs.
Equipment: We have different styles of zafus (firm sitting cushions), zabutons (floor mats), benches and comfortable chairs on hand. You may also bring your own sitting equipment.
Lunch: Please bring your own light lunch to the event. We will have access to a refrigerator. Cold and hot water, as well as snacks will be provided.
Please: Do not wear scented perfumes and fragrances. Kindly turn off your cell phone for the duration of the event.
Questions: Email us at info@longbeachmeditation.org
Robert Lurye
Teacher
robert@longbeachmeditation.org
Robert Lurye is an artist, educator, and meditation practitioner who loves teaching the ancient wisdom and modern science related to mindful awareness. He especially enjoys leading daylong retreats and meditation groups outdoors amongst nature.
Robert completed the Sati Center’s Buddhist Eco-Chaplaincy Program and is trained to offer support and spiritual care to individuals and communities impacted by ecological and environmental crises. He is a certified MBSR teacher through Brown University Mindfulness Center; a CYT 200 yoga instructor with specialization in the Yoga of Mindfulness & Accessibility; and is a facilitator for Mindfulness-Based Habit Change programs that address unwanted habits from cigarettes to smart phones, emotional eating, and anxiety.
Robert began teaching and facilitating programs at Long Beach Meditation at the invitation of Teacher Jane Broadwell in January 2017. He teaches mindfulness programs at InsightLA, the USC Center for Mindfulness Science, Mindful USC and facilitates sitting groups for the LGBTQ+ community and at Hollywood Forever Cemetery. He has been a computer animation artist since 1985 working on feature film and television productions and has taught art at Ohio State, Texas A&M, and University of Texas, Austin.
Tim Colohan JDPSN
Teacher
tim@longbeachmeditation.org
Tim Colohan is a Ji Do Poep Sa Nim which translates to ‘Guide to the Way’ or ‘Dharma Master’ in the Kwan Um School of Zen.
While waiting tables in Los Angeles and pursuing a fine arts career, Tim found Zen. Or it found him. Tim’s very first introduction to Zen principles was in a biography of California artist Robert Irwin titled ‘Seeing Is Forgetting the Name of the Thing Seen’. It grabbed his attention and led him down a path where he started training with Zen Master Seung Sahn at the Dharma Zen Center in 1985.
Tim then took 5 Precepts in 1991 and 10 Precepts in 1993. In 1992, he began a career in Set Decoration for TV and Film and found his practice supporting him in the day to day realities of the contemporary world. Tim traveled to Korea in 1995 and attended a 90 day silent Kyol Che retreat and did so again in 1997. He worked on the TV show ‘ER’ from 1999 to 2009. Production work on the show was strenuous and challenging. He was able to apply the benefits and wisdom of these retreats into the “marketplace” of production work.
Tim was inspired to use his down time to sit a 21 day solo retreat in 2001. He trained and took 16 Precepts in 2005 at the Golden Wind Zen Center in Long Beach. He led a series of 90 day American Kyol Che retreats annually from 2008 to 2015. He then completed his training with the Golden Wind Zen Center in 2015. Tim received inka teaching authority from Zen Master Soeng Hyang in April of 2022.
Tim includes Yoga Nidra and MBSR approaches to meditation in his practice and teaching of Zen. He currently enjoys practicing at Dharma Zen Center, Los Angeles. He teaches regularly upon invitation at Long Beach Meditation. Tim also practices with ‘Silver Lake Meditation Group’, and a Pasadena interfaith group that is close to his heart, composed of Muslims, Christians, Jews, Buddhists and Baha’i.
Contribute
If you would like to join us in the practice of dana or generosity, please consider contributing to help defray the cost of supporting those who cannot otherwise afford to attend.