Releasing Guilt and Shame

A Day-long Online Retreat

Humans are burdened by near daily guilt and shame.  The psychological structure of the superego judges and condemns us with each life misstep we take.  It is important to learn to effectively challenge the superego, helping to release guilt and shame.  When released, the delicate love of the Absolute will shine through, radiating throughout our being.

Guilt: A Distortion of Loving-Kindness (Mettā)

On our spiritual journey, from First Awakening to fully integrated self-realization, we must be oriented inward. We must become intimate with and adept at navigating our interiority of experience. This inner turn can feel disquieting. It can feel like we are rejecting our life, our loves, and our world and abandoning our humanness. In effect, we are temporarily doing just that. Yet this necessary turning away is actually not a rejection of exterior life. Remarkably, as we turn inward, we come into greater contact and connection with the exterior world. When I went through this process, I realized that the more I turned inward, the more engaged and connected I felt in the outside world. My life made more sense as I was more authentic in my actions and behavior.

However, the experience of happiness or gratification can trigger guilt that others are not able to enjoy these same pleasures. We may feel selfish or self-centered because we are taking care of ourselves and not attending to the many issues of the world. When the guilt couples with the witnessing of another’s suffering, it does not afford us sufficient interior space for loving-kindness to arise. We need to recognize, and be present to, our guilt as it arises. Under observation, guilt moves from unconsciousness to consciousness. The act of seeing it reduces its effect on us. Guilt, when witnessed, can become something we can engage rather than something that overwhelms us.

— Stephen Mugen Snyder: Liberating the Self

This daylong will include Dharma talks, guided meditations, 15-minute breaks, and ample time for questions or comments among the group.

Suitable for beginning meditators, as well as those in the intermediate and advanced groups.

This event will be recorded. If you are unable to attend live, signing up will give you access to the recording afterwards.

Stephen Mugen Snyder, Roshi is a senior meditation teacher in the Buddhist Theravada and Zen traditions.  He is the author of Demystifying Awakening, Buddha’s Heart, Liberating the Self, and co-author of Practicing the Jhanas. He works with students worldwide as well as leading online and in-person retreats in the U.S., the U.K., and Europe.

Investment: Dāna (donation)

Please review the Cancellation Policy.