Evening meeting

The Deepest Acceptance: Radical Awakening in Ordinary Life

Public Meetings in Boulder, Colorado with Jeff Foster

Friday, July 27^th from 7-9pm

and Saturday, July 28^th from 11-5pm

Location: Naropa University – Nalanda Campus – Dojo Room – 6287 Arapahoe Ave., Boulder, CO 80301

Cost: Friday $20, Saturday $70, Both $80 (registrations/ payments at the door only)

“In my work with Sounds True over the last 20 years, I’ve had the honor of getting to know hundreds of spiritual teachers, and spend much of my time reviewing the work of new authors for publication. Every once in a while, a very unique warm feeling arises in my body, a feeling I’ve learned over the years to pay close attention to. This was the experience I had when connecting with Jeff for the first time.

What I most appreciate about Jeff is his willingness to be fully exposed, and to take spirituality out of the ashrams and meditation halls and into the streets. Jeff and I talk often about how we’re both so drawn to what we might call a “human” or “relational” nonduality, a “kitchen-sink-level” nonduality where the focus is not so much on our struggle to get to the Absolute, but a curiosity about how that Absolute expresses itself in the world of time and space, in the reality of this messy yucky yummy life of intimate relationships, work, career, family, illness, and paying the bills on time.

For both of us, the reality of nonduality is total aliveness, and includes everything and anything that could possibly ever arise in our lives. It is not only found in the “spiritual” world of bliss, silence, “no-self,” and so forth, but is radically shining in the busted water sprinkler in the front yard, the mis-shipped item from Amazon, the challenge of honest communication with someone we love, and in the eyes of a cuddly little baby in the grocery store.”      – Matt Licata

MORE INFORMATION

How do we stop running away from “the mess of life”—our pain, our predicaments, our frustrations, our failures, even our longing for freedom and enlightenment—and start flowing with all of it?

Is it possible to find an effortless “yes” to this moment, no matter how challenging our lives become?

Is it possible to stop seeking love, peace and enlightenment in the future, and discover them where you already are?

Jeff Foster invites us to take a fresh look at our present experience and discover the ocean of who we really are: a non-dual awareness that has already allowed every wave of thought and emotion to arrive. “Just as the ocean ‘accepts’ every wave,” teaches Jeff, “so too has our awareness already allowed and accepted what is here.” Jeff talks of deep acceptance not as a passive surrender, but as an intelligent and creative emerging into life just as it is. And it is not something that happens “one day”, or only happens to special people – it is always happening, if we have eyes to see it.

Recognizing ourselves as the ocean of deep acceptance radically transforms and simplifies the way we see the world – our relationships, how we communicate, our attitude towards physical pain and depression, how we deal with addictions, and our search for spiritual enlightenment. Candid, thoughtful, humorous—and deeply compassionate toward those searching for a way out of suffering—Jeff inspires us to stop trying to “do” acceptance…and start falling in love with “what has already been allowed.” His simple, accessible and direct teachings point us back to who we really are in this moment – already perfect, whole, and free.

Silence, laughter, lightness, and a sense of real intimacy, honesty and friendship are the hallmarks of encounters with Jeff. His meetings are very spontaneous and informal, and there are plenty of opportunities to share and ask questions, if you are so moved. And of course, if you just want to sit in silence and listen, without sharing, then that’s fine too.

ABOUT JEFF

Jeff was voted #51 on Watkins Review’s 2012 list of the world’s 100 Most Spiritually Influential Living People and has published four books in over six languages. His new book The Deepest Acceptance: Radical Awakening in Ordinary Life will be published in the fall of 2012 by Sounds True.

Jeff speaks clearly and simply about the journey of awakening and self-realization. He presently holds meetings, retreats and private one-to-one sessions around the world, gently but directly pointing people back to the deep acceptance inherent in the present moment. He points to a discovery of who you really are, beyond all thoughts and judgments about yourself, even in the midst of the stress and struggle of modern day living and intimate relationships. His teaching style is direct and uncompromising and yet full of humanity, humor and compassion. He believes that freedom is everybody’s birthright. He belongs to no tradition or lineage, and makes his teaching accessible to all.

MEETING DETAILS

Tickets for the two meetings with Jeff will not be available in advance, but may be purchased at the door on a first-come, first-served basis. Given the capacity at Naropa’s Nalanda campus, we expect there to be plenty of room for everyone. Please make sure to arrive early to the event so you can be ensured to get a seat and so that we can all be comfortably seated and can start on time.

You may attend either the Friday or Saturday meetings, or both of them. Both meetings are suitable for those new to Jeff’s teachings, as well as those already familiar with them.

Jeff will begin each meeting with an introductory talk, and then will open to discussion. Especially on Saturday, there will be plenty of time for questions and answers, and dialogues with Jeff.  There will be several short breaks during the daylong meeting on Saturday.