Transforming the Judgmental Mind
A non-residential retreat with Donald Rothberg and Eve Decker
Judgments of a reactive nature are very strong in most of our lives, and in the dominant culture. They can distort our perceptions, make relationships difficult, and undermine our work in the world. In this retreat, we will explore such judgments (and their difference from non-reactive discernment) and how to transform them. We will cultivate mindfulness of judgments; inquiry into the deep roots of judgments; and heart practices such as lovingkindness, forgiveness, and compassion. We will also explore the somatic and social dimensions of judgments and how to cultivate skill in speech and interaction in the midst of judgments. These tools will help us to preserve the intelligence and energy often found in judgments, using them for discernment and compassionate action, while working through judgments’ destructive, compulsive aspects. The retreat will be held mostly in silence, including guided meditations, along with group and individual practice discussions. Those attending the retreat will have the option of continuing with follow-up sessions after the retreat.
This is a non-residential retreat, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday - Saturday, 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. Sunday. Please read the information below before registering.
 Donald Rothberg, Ph.D., has practiced Insight Meditation since 1976, and has also trained in Tibetan Dzogchen and Mahamudra practice. He regularly teaches insight and lovingkindness meditation, and on transforming the judgmental mind, mindful communication, and socially engaged Buddhism. He is the author of The Engaged Spiritual Life. |
 Eve Decker is a mindfulness teacher, coach, and musician who has been practicing Insight Meditation since 1991. Eve co-leads the Insight Meditation Community of Berkeley, is a mentor for the Mindfulness Meditation Teacher Certification Program, and she teaches for the family program at Spirit Rock Meditation Center. evedecker.com |
Dates: February 6 – 11, 2024, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Tuesday - Saturday, 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. Sunday. Non-residential retreat
Location: Sacred Stream, 2149 Byron St., Berkeley, CA. (Walk from BART)
Cost: $375 Registration + Donation to Teachers (Dana)
IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT THIS RETREAT
Please read this information before registering:
- This is a meditation retreat and training; it is NOT a workshop or conference.
- Buddhist teachings and practices will be offered during the retreat, though one need not identify as Buddhist or ascribe to any particular belief system to attend and participate.
Some partial scholarships available.
COVID PRECAUTIONS
All participants will be required to provide proof of vaccination and booster.* We will be accepting fewer people to the retreat this year in order to reduce health risks, and may require that individuals where masks indoors depending on the recommended guidelines of public health officials and/or the venue at the time of the program.
* Due to the risk of serious illness for those who are immunocompromised or in high risk categories, as well as the complexity of variables around testing (false negatives, potential exposure after testing), we have chosen to require proof of vaccination rather than a negative PCR test result as a prerequisite for attending this retreat. We appreciate your understanding and mourn the potential loss of participation by those who have chosen not to be vaccinated for any reason.
Space is limited - register early!
Please use the form below to register. Payment by check (preferred) or Paypal. With any questions, please e-mail This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Registration Form