This is a two year program offered as part of the Forest Way tradition.  The Forest Way was so named to represent the age old tradition of people going into the forest for extended periods of time to intensely practice meditation and other forms of contemplation. During this time, they would have access to a teacher who would offer detailed instructions and guide their practice. The Forest Way offers a similar opportunity to a select number of students who are dedicated to their meditation practice, but are leading traditional householder lives.

During the first year of the Two Year Training Program there are weekly contemplations that cover topics ranging from resolving issues from our past that prevent us from living in the present moment; cultivating skillful mind states such as gratitude, generosity, patience, and compassion; working effectively with fear and other afflictive emotions; and developing equanimity with the process of aging, illness, and death.

The second year is based, in part, on the practice of insight meditation. During the first half-year each section of the instructions for cultivating mindful awareness of the body, feelings, states of consciousness, and cognitive processes are reviewed and practiced. We also spend time with contemplations that open the heart supporting the experience of deep intimacy in our lives. The last six months are devoted to non-dual meditations from many spiritual traditions which support the realization of our essential nature. 

This intense Two Year Training is for those who understand that their entire life is their practice, and that the purpose of their lives is to realize their inherent freedom. Students who undertake this Training will truly be following "The Forest Way."

Carol Blotter has been trained by Matthew Flickstein to provide this training.  For more information, contact her at cb.meditate@gmail.com