I'm sending this out a day early, because as of 5 pm EST, two hours from now, I'll be starting a 36-hour "retreat"... a day and a half kick-off to Susan Piver's "7 Day Freedom From Fear Meditation Program", as featured in her book, How Not to Be Afraid of Your Own Life: Opening Your Heart to Confidence, Intimacy, and Joy.  At that point, all external communication goes off, and I'm on a vacation with myself. (yikes!)

I had read this book back in early spring, and anticipated that I might have some time during the summer in which to implement the program. The universe kindly arranged for me also to have no shiatsu clients or other commitments this week, and so I went for it.

As a means of setting an intention and creating the fertile ground in which to plant the seeds of a regular, sustained meditation practice, Susan Piver created this program, beginning with an intensive 36 hours of meditation, reading, guided and free-form writing, eating and sleeping- of course, and really just being alone with oneself. Needless to say, I am both excited and anxious.

So, my house is tidy, my chores are caught up, my meals are planned and I have all my 'supplies' ready, including four books (of which I am to choose two):

• How to See Yourself As You Really Areby His Holiness the Dalai Lama
• The Art of Happiness: A Handbook for Living also by the Dalai Lama
• How to Solve Our Human Problems: The Four Noble Truths by Geshe Kelsang Gyatso
• Be An Island: The Buddhist Practice of Inner Peace by Ayya Khama

And I will try not to reach for my current read, A Zen Romance: One Woman's Adventures in a Monastery... though it would be easy to justify based on the "Zen" tone..

Okay then. Many thanks to Susan herself, who personally wished me well as I embark on this short but intense journey. It's funny, I feel like I'm leaving town, only more so, because on trips, I at least still have a computer!

So, look for me again after I pm EST on Thursday, when I'll be reporting on my adventure. Namaste! 

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