A day retreat organized around the Brahma Viharas; practice in diads;  guided practice; and a closing talk on EquanimityTALK #1:  Tending to inner and outer conflict - “bring the calming rains that quiet the fires inside of us.”Exploring the Brahma ViharasTom Spanbauer - In the City of Shy Hunters - “How do I keep my heart open in hell?”-BREAK-THE 4 BRAHMA VIHARASMetta - Loving KindnessKaruna - CompassionMudita - Sympathetic Joy  Upekka - EquanimityRetreat agreements (from East Bay Meditation Center):Try it onPractice self-focus -  speak from your own experience and not make assumptions about othersUnderstanding the difference between intent and impactPracticing both/and -  noticing the difference between but/andRefraining from blaming or shaming othersMove up, move back - noticing the space we take up in groupsPractice mindful listening - bring our full attention to the person who is speakingConfidentiality - “take home your learning but leave the details here”Right to pass____________ René Rivera is a meditation teacher, restorative justice facilitator, and leader, working and learning in all the spaces in-between race, gender, and other perceived binaries, as a queer, mixed-race, trans man. René teaches heart-centered, trauma-informed meditation, at the East Bay Meditation Center and other meditation centers. He has co-led the first residential meditation retreats for transgender, nonbinary, and gender-expansive people. René is a restorative justice facilitator for the Ahimsa Collective, working to heal sexual and gender-based violence. Support the show______________ To participate live and be notified of upcoming speakers in advance, please Like us on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/gaybuddhistfellowship) or visit https://gaybuddhist.org/calendar/ To support our efforts to share these talks with LGBTQIA audiences worldwide, please visit www.GayBuddhist.org.There you can: * Donate * Learn how to participate live * Find our schedule of upcoming speakers * Join our mailing list or discussion forum * Enjoy many hundreds of these recorded talks dating back to 1996 CREDITSAudio Engineer: George HubbardProducer: Tom BrueinMusic/Logo/Artwork: Derek Lassiter