Openness is the active expression of wisdom. Contraction is the active expression of ignorance, the first link on the Wheel of Life that leads to the last link of death. When ignorance is transformed into wisdom, contraction transforms into openness, and death, the last link on the Wheel of Life, transforms into the grand opening of enlightenment. In this workshop, we’ll learn the core practice of open awareness, one of the best meditations for preparing for death, and one of the best ways to open fully into life. We’ll also survey the five nocturnal meditations—liminal dreaming, lucid dreaming, dream yoga, sleep yoga, and bardo yoga—that bring open awareness into sleeping, dreaming, and dying. 

Andrew Holecek, DDS, has completed the traditional three-year Buddhist meditation retreat and offers seminars internationally on the art of dying, meditation, and lucid dreaming. He is the author of many books, including Preparing to Die: Practical Advice and Spiritual Wisdom from the Tibetan Buddhist Tradition; and Dream Yoga: Illuminating Your Life Through Lucid Dreaming and the Tibetan Yogas of Sleep. Dr. Holecek is a member of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, and the author of scientific papers on lucid dreaming. His work has appeared in Parabola, Lion’s Roar, Tricycle, Utne Reader, Buddhadharma, Light of Consciousness, and many other periodicals. He holds degrees in classical music, biology, and a doctorate in dental surgery. Andrew Holecek also will be delivering a lecture titled Transforming Obstacles into Opportunity on Oct. 24 that relates to this workshop. He also will lead an iPause Gudied Practice titled Meditation for Opening on Oct. 29. You are welcome to particiapte in one or all three of Andrew Holecek's sessions in the Summit.