Awake at Work Retreat: Rediscovering Our Natural Confidence in Uncertain Times with Michael Carroll

Learn how awakening our spiritual confidence can lead to more fulfilling work and a richer life.

The unfolding economic downturn has presented many of us with difficult challenges and distressing choices. And given the stark reality in America that 3.9 million jobs and $7.1 trillion in household wealth evaporated in 2008 alone, it is little wonder that we find ourselves hoping for the best and fearing the worst. But maybe our distress at work requires us to find something more than just a new “more secure” job - maybe we need to reawaken our spiritual confidence.

Drawing on material from his forthcoming book Fearless Work; Confident Life Michael Carroll will cover such questions as:

• How can we engage conflicts at work and in life while more artfully bringing the best out of difficult situations?
• How can the ancient Eastern principles of Ziji, Shih and, Lha, Nyen & Lu and others offer us guidance in living an “awakened life”?
• What are the “fierce facts of life” and what does the story of “Yankee the cat” have to do with finally overcoming fear?
• What is the practice of rousing “sudden presence” and how can it dispel doubt and confusion?
• How can mindfulness awareness meditation train our minds so we can rediscover our natural confidence?

This two day retreat will provide opportunities to learn and practice mindfulness-awareness meditation, attend lectures, participate in group contemplative exercises and discuss the role work plays in cultivating a spiritual life.

Recommended Reading: Mindfulness-awareness meditation will form the basis for the program. In Michael's book, The Mindful Leader, this practice as it applies to the workplace is covered in detail. The presenter encourages participants to be acquainted with this book in preparation for the seminar. It will be available in the Shambhala Mountain Center Giftstore or bring a copy.

Michael Carroll is the author of Awake at Work and The Mindful Leader and over his 28 year career has held executive positions with such companies as Shearson Lehman/American Express, Simon & Schuster and The Walt Disney Company. Michael has an active consulting and coaching business with client firms such as Procter & Gamble, Google, AstraZeneca, Starbucks, and National Geographic Expeditions.

Michael has been studying Tibetan Buddhism since 1976 and is an authorized teacher in the lineage of the Tibetan meditation master, Chogyam Trungpa. He has lectured and taught at Wharton Business School, Columbia University, Swarthmore College, St. Mary’s University, Kripalu, Zen Mountain Monastery, Karme Choling, EVAM Institute, Omega Institute (assisting Pema Chodron) and institutions throughout the US, Canada and Europe.

Extend Your Stay. We are offering a 25% housing discount for additional nights. Stay an extra day or more after this program to savor your retreat experience.

Please arrive between 2 and 5pm on Friday, October 8. Program ends with lunch at 12:30pm on Sunday, October 10. View Detailed Program Information.