When
Date(s): July 12, 2025 - July 13, 2025
9:30 am - 4:00 pm (Saturday, Sunday)
Location
UCSB
Love in Turbulent Times:
Compassion, Grief, Helplessness & Equanimity
With Matthew Brensilver, Ph.D.
Saturday – Sunday, July 12 and 13, 2025, 9:30 am – 4:00 pm
Auditorium in the Marine Science Research Bldg. on the UCSB Campus
The ascendancy of greed, hatred and delusion in our public life can overwhelm our heart. We have a lot of love to give but it’s not always clear how to spend it. In compassion, our heart trembles in the face of suffering. When our love feels insufficient, we recognize grief as an irreducible aspect of a committed life. At some point, our heart must rest. Compassion is counterbalanced by equanimity: we cease bartering with samsara and recognize the ungovernability of suffering. We cultivate love in the face of helplessness.
During this weekend, we’ll explore different aspects of love: compassion, equanimity and grief. Ajahn Sucitto says, “real love is not about deserving it, or being perfect, or even being in agreement with another. It’s just that if the heart stops grabbing, or being seized by, images of self and others, of what it wants and rejects, it opens into a fluent warmth. It’s about respect for another as another. Then love is a natural energy – if we linger, recognize and deeply connect.”
The weekend will include guided and silent sitting meditation, walking meditation, dharma talks and dialogue. All are welcome.
Optional donation to Open Door Sangha to cover the cost of the retreat
Registration Form
Registration is closed for this event.