Though the Buddha put an emphasis on fully understanding suffering, it's also important to remember that joy and a sense of uplift are important and natural parts of our practice.

Join us for a day of meditation and inquiry to open to the joys that arise on the Buddhist path — the tranquility, confidence and deep interpersonal connection that come from seeing things as they really are. 

This daylong will focus on the cultivation of wisdom and joy through the practice of inquiry. Used in tandem with silent mediation, inquiry is a way to deepen understanding through the use of wise reflection. By asking questions in unique ways — in meditation, small group exercises and writing prompts — we can discover areas of the wise heart that we might not access through silent mindfulness meditation alone.

Alexa Redner has been practicing in the Insight meditation tradition for over twenty years, including intensive retreat practice, and was authorized to teach by Spirit Rock founding teacher James Baraz. She is a longtime mindfulness educator and mentor, currently teaching with Banyan and serving in Jack Kornfield and Tara Brach’s Mindfulness Meditation Teacher Certification Program, as well as guest teaching and leading retreats with Insight Meditation communities and retreat centers including Spirit Rock Meditation Center and the Insight Meditation Society. She brings a warm, relational approach to Dharma practice, with a focus on embodied awareness, healing, and compassionate connection.