LDP1 Application

Living Dharma - Program Application

Exploring and Integrating the Eight-Fold Path in Daily Life

Welcome!

We are pleased you are interested in participating in our first Living Dharma Program (LDP1)!

This is an eight-month program for meditation students and Dharma practitioners interested in deepening their practice and understanding of key Buddhist teachings and practices of the Buddha’s Eight Fold Path. The intention of this program is to fully explore the teachings of the 3 fold way - Ethics, Meditation, and Wisdom, and how these ancient wisdom teachings can be applied and integrated into our lives, especially given the stress of modern life, and learning to respond wisely to the climate crisis and social inequity.

The teaching team is Mark Coleman and JoAnna Hardy.

In addition to attending all four 2-day training days, and one 3-night silent residential retreat, participants commit to a daily meditation practice, weekly/monthly course work, and attendance at all monthly online Zoom webinars and monthly small group online meetings.

Program Schedule & Structure:
- Non-Residential Retreat Schedule (9:30am-4:30pm)
  - April 24-25, 2020
  - May 15-16, 2020
  - June 26-17, 2020
  - October 9, 10, 2020
- Residential Retreat Schedule
  - November 16-19, 2020
    
    November 16, 2-3pm check-in, 4pm retreat begins
    
    November 19, 4pm close
- Zoom Sessions
  - July 22, 2020, 6pm
  - August 26, 2020, 6pm
  - September 16, 2020, 6pm
Program Fees:
- $1,800 - Sliding Scale 1 - Supporter Rate*
  (*Includes a single room at the residential retreat, based on availability. If not available, you will be contacted with the option to change rates.)
- $1,600 - Sliding Scale 2
- $1,400 - Sliding Scale 3 - Base Rate
Scholarship Options:

Scholarship funds are limited and available based on the fees of those paying at a higher sliding scale.
- $1,200 -Scholarship sliding scale 1
- $950 - Scholarship sliding scale 2
- $700 - Scholarship sliding scale 3
Program Attributes:

Tuition includes:
- Registration in non-residential programs
- Registration in residential programs
- Teacher compensation
- Staff dana ($90) for retreat managers and cooks at the residential retreat
- Accommodations and meals at the November 16-19 residential retreat
- Handouts and program materials
- Online meetings
Tuition does not include:
- Accommodations and meals during non-residential retreats April - October.
Application Process Timeline:
- December 3 - January 31– Applications accepted between these dates.
- January 31– Deadline to submit the application.
- February 27 – Notification of your status will be sent no later than this date via email.
- March 15– Commitment and payment of non-refundable program deposit ($500).
- April 15 - Final payment due.
Pre-requisites:
- 2 years of meditation practice;
- A minimum of 10 days of either silent residential meditation retreats or daylongs/ mindfulness workshops, or a combination of both.
Application Overview:
- Allow yourself 20-30 minutes to complete this entire application (this time varies depending on the length of your answers.)
- Please answer all of the questions, applications with incomplete or insufficient retreat information will not be accepted.
- When completing a narrative question please provide brief, thoughtful responses.
Application Submission and Review Process
- All applications will be submitted electronically through this online application.
- Applications will be reviewed by the teaching team and Spirit Rock staff for eligibility.
- We will be accepting 40 participants in this program.
Final details:
Priority is offered to those practicing Vipassana (Insight Meditation).

All information is confidential to the teaching and management teams of this program.

If you have any questions, please contact our LDP Coordinator at Trainings@spiritrock.org.

Section A: Applicant Contact Information
Send to Self
A1. Name*
A2. Email Address *
A3. Confirm Email Address *
A4. Best Phone Number TO Reach You*
A5. Street Address*
Street Address Line 1
Street Address Line 2
City*
State/Province*
Postal/Zip Code*

Section B: Demographic Information
We believe that we all benefit and are enriched by diverse views and experiences. As part of Spirit Rock’s commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, diversity of all kinds (race, gender identity/expression, sexual orientation, age, physical ability, and other underrepresented groups) is highly valued in our programs and we encourage people from underrepresented groups to apply. The following questions will help us to support diversity and inclusivity of our programs. We ask these demographic questions to help us understand who is applying and help us create the most diverse program possible. To help support our intention to diversify our programs, we hold a portion of training program space for POC, folks from the LGBTQI community, and persons with disabilities.

Please note: If you prefer not to answer, please type ‘pass’.
B1. Do you self-identify as a person of color?*

YesNoPrefer not to answer
B2. How do you self-identify your racial and ethnic heritage or background?*
b3. How do you self-identify your sexual orientation? *
b4. How do you self-identify your gender identity?*
b5. What gender pronoun(s) do you use?*
b6. Are you an immigrant or first-generation US citizen?

YesNo
B7. What is your current livelihood/occupation, or are you retired?
B8. Have you served in the military?

YesNo
B9. If yes, in what capacity?

Section C: Dharma Practice and History
Please be concise with your responses.
C1. When did you begin your regular meditation practice? (Please give approximate date)*
C2. PLEASE BRIEFLY DESCRIBE YOUR CURRENT MEDITATION PRACTICE: (E.G. HOW MANY TIMES PER DAY, FOR WHAT LENGTH OF TIME)*

0/100
C3. When did you begin your dharma practice or studying the dharma? (Please give approximate date)*
C4. WHAT SPECIFIC AREAS/TOPICS OF THE DHARMA ARE OF INTEREST TO YOU?*

0/100
C5. WHOM DO YOU REGARD AS YOUR CURRENT VIPASSANA AND/OR OTHER BUDDHIST TEACHER(S)?*

0/100
C6. WHO HAVE BEEN YOUR MOST SIGNIFICANT OR INFLUENTIAL TEACHERS? - LIST OR BRIEFLY DESCRIBE.*

0/100
C7. Do you currently attend an ongoing sitting group? If so where, and with what teacher if any?*
C8. LIST ANY MINDFULNESS DAYLONGS OR WORKSHOPS YOU HAVE ATTENDED. (LIST BY TOPIC, TEACHER, LOCATION, YEAR - MOST RECENT DAYS THAT FULFILL THE PREREQUISITE FOR THIS TRAINING: 10 DAYS MINIMUM, INCLUDING THE RESIDENTIAL SECTION BELOW)*

0/150
C9. LIST ANY SILENT RESIDENTIAL RETREATS YOU HAVE ATTENDED. LIST BY RETREAT: MONTH/YEAR, LOCATION, TEACHERS ON THE RETREAT, TYPE OF RETREAT, # OF NIGHTS. PLEASE START WITH THE MOST RECENT.*

0/150
C10. Have you applied to a Spirit Rock Dharma Training or Study Practice Program (such as CDL, DPP, or APP) in the past? If yes, which one(s)?*
C11. Have you taken Spirit Rock's Foundational Buddhist Teachings Online Course?*

YesNo

Section D: Creating a Healthy Inclusive Sangha
It is Spirit Rock’s intention to cultivate a diverse, inclusive, welcoming, and supportive community. LDP will explore issues of diversity within our sangha in regard to race, gender, gender identity, age, physical ability, education, and other forms of cultural experience, as an integral part of our dharma study practice. We will be actively engaged in what it means to create and maintain a healthy inclusive sangha made of many people from many different communities and backgrounds.
d1. Describe a time or times in which you have been part of a diverse community, along the dimension of race, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, physical ability, education, class, etc. Please share some reflections from that experience.*

0/200
D2. Have you undertaken trainings to become more aware of privileges and oppression, and its impact on various communities?*

0/150
D3. Please describe any experience you have had with socially engaged Buddhism.*

0/150

Section E: Personal & Mental Health Background
Dharma Training Programs can be psychologically challenging. To support retreatants in those rare cases when difficulties do arise, having information regarding the following questions will help teachers respond to the situation more effectively. We encourage your candor in answering these questions.
E1. Are you currently living with a disability, limitation, difference, or chronic illness that impacts your physical accessibility needs?*

YesNo
IF YES, PLEASE DESCRIBE ANYTHING YOU MIGHT NEED TO SUPPORT YOUR FULL PARTICIPATION:*

0/100
E2. Do you have any psychological history or conditions that may interfere with or might be aggravated by sitting or walking practice?*

YesNo
IF YES, PLEASE DESCRIBE:*

0/100
E3. Have you experienced any significant emotional, psychological, or spiritual difficulty in your life that affected your ability to function? (e.g. accidents, military service, PTSD, childhood abuse, etc.)*

YesNo
IF YES, PLEASE BRIEFLY DESCRIBE IT AND WHEN IT OCCURRED. IS IT STILL OCCURRING NOW?*

0/100
E4. How does the practice of meditation, silence, and retreat affect all of the above conditions? Skip if not applicable.
E5. Add any additional comments regarding health you would like to convey?

Section F: Additional Questions
F1. PLEASE DESCRIBE WHY YOU WOULD LIKE TO BE IN LDP, AND WHAT ARE YOU HOPING TO ATTAIN FROM THIS COURSE UPON COMPLETION?*

0/500
F2. What, if anything, do you anticipate as a challenge for participating fully in this course?*

0/100
F3. WHAT KIND OF SUPPORT WOULD BE MOST BENEFICIAL FOR THIS TRAINING TO BE OF BENEFIT?*

0/100
F4. Is there any reason you would not be able to fulfill the attendance requirements (class and zoom) to complete this program? If yes, please describe:*

Section G: Financial Assistance and Work Exchange
If you will need financial assistance, please provide an honest and accurate assessment of your financial situation so we can consider the total amount of resources we need to maximize everyone’s participation. Financial assistance priority will be given to those from historically marginalized communities.

Please note: We are unable to guarantee financial support until acceptance letters are sent.
G1. Do you anticipate needing financial assistance for LDP?*

YesNo
If yes, please briefly describe your financial circumstances and limitations.*

0/100
G2. If funds are not available will you still be interested in joining the program at the base rate of the sliding scale?*
G3. Any additional information for consideration?
Two work exchange positions will be available for this program at the $700 rate, selection based on personal and financial circumstances. Work exchange participants will be asked to support the training assisting up to an hour before each morning, 15 minutes at the lunch periods, and up to an hour after each afternoon.
G4. Are you interested in being considered for one of the two Work Exchange positions?*

NoYes
Please comment on your circumstances to be considered for one of the positions.

0/100

Section H: Program Tuition Structure & Cancellation Policy
Spirit Rock Dharma Training Programs are offered on a sliding scale basis. The cost per person to Spirit Rock to offer LDP1 is $1400. Please consider selecting the highest level sliding scale that meets your financial needs. Any amount over the base rate supports the sustainability of our programs and is tax-deductible.

Scholarship funds are limited. Scholarship requests do not affect your eligibility, though regrettably, we cannot guarantee support for all requests. Acceptance to this program is separate from scholarship offers, so you may be accepted to the program without funding available, based on total requests and funds available.
$1,800 - SLIDING SCALE 1 - SUPPORTER RATE*$1,600 - SLIDING SCALE 2$1,400 - SLIDING SCALE 3 - BASE RATE$1,200 - SCHOLARSHIP SLIDING SCALE 1$950 - SCHOLARSHIP SLIDING SCALE 2$700 - SCHOLARSHIP SLIDING SCALE 3
*Supporter rate includes a single room at the residential retreat, based on availability. If not available, you will be contacted with the option to change rates.
Upon acceptance to the program, you will be asked to pay a minimum non-refundable program deposit of $500 by March 15. Final payment is due by April 15.

Cancelation Policy:

Participating in LDP will require a commitment of both time and financial resources. If you need to withdraw from the program, the following fee structure will apply:

50% of registration fee: > 4 weeks before the first in-person session
No refund due: < 4 weeks before the first in-person session

Section G: Final Agreement
By typing my name in the space provided below I agree, to the best of my ability, to participate fully in LDP if I am accepted. This includes:

-Attending all scheduled meetings, in-person and zoom
-Completing all readings, practices, and reflections
-Honoring all financial obligations and commitments to Spirit Rock, affirming that you have read and understood the financial commitment.
Full Name*
Today's Date*

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Living Dharma - Program Application

Exploring and Integrating the Eight-Fold Path in Daily Life