Day-long Retreat – Spring 2025

Metta beyond the phrases

with Heidi Wormser

March 22, 2025
9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Southwest UU Church
6320 Royalton Rd
North Royalton, OH 44133

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Pack a lunch and join us for this day of sitting and walking meditation and exploration of the Dharma.

Metta (loving-kindness) is not only a personal spiritual practice but also a way to promote kindness, understanding, and peace in the world. Metta helps develop a heart free of ill will, anger, and resentment, fosters harmonious relationships and is a practical tool for calming the mind and developing concentration. And yet, many practitioners struggle with this foundational practice.

We will learn the traditional metta meditation using time-honored phrases to cultivate goodwill for ourselves and others. In addition, we will explore creative and alternative practices to help us access and embody loving-kindness. This retreat is appropriate for both beginning and experienced meditators. 

Heidi Wormser first became aware of meditation in the mid 1970’s but, despite reading about it and thinking about it, didn’t get around to actually doing it until 2014. Since then, however, she has been fully immersed in the Dharma. She has attended numerous retreats, completed a year-long study of non-dual practice with John Cunningham, and has studied the teachings of Rodney Smith, Sayadaw U Tejaniya and others. Heidi serves on the Board of IM Cleveland, leads sitting groups and co-teaches an 8-week introduction to insight meditation.

Registration

Your registration fee will go to support IM Cleveland and Southwest UU Church. In keeping with ancient tradition, the teachings of the Buddha are offered freely—the teachers receive no compensation from IM Cleveland for teaching, but rely on dana (generosity) of their students. At retreat’s end, students have an opportunity to practice dana by offering contributions.

Questions? Contact the retreat manager.