Freeing Ourselves From Old Habits and Fears

Shenpa is the mental and emotional "hook" that catches us when we react to situations with intense attachment, aversion, or reactivity. Shenpa occurs when we feel triggered—whether by anger, fear, jealousy, or other strong emotions— and causes us to become caught in habitual patterns of thought and behavior. When we’re hooked by shenpa, we are pulled into a cycle of reactivity, often leading to unskillful actions or words that reinforce our emotional entanglements. This moment of being "hooked" is crucial because, while it is a natural part of the human experience, it also presents an opportunity for awareness and transformation.
Drawing from Pema Chödrön’s book Taking the Leap and foundational Buddhist teachings of Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche, this retreat encourages participants to explore how to:

• Liberate ourselves from limiting beliefs and reactive tendencies that create suffering.
• Transform difficult emotions by cultivating gentle, nonjudgmental awareness.
• Embrace uncertainty as a gateway towards personal growth and wisdom.

Through the practice of sitting meditation, personal inquiry, and group discussions, we will learn to gain insight into our habitual patterns, work with our fears, cultivate a deeper sense of compassion, and discover how to step into the unknown with openness, clarity and confidence.

Registration: https://www.karmecholing.org/program/freeing-ourselves-from-old-habits-fears