KELSEYVILLE, Calif. – Internationally recognized author and Buddhist and recovery teacher Kevin Griffin will facilitate a daylong meditation retreat titled “Living Kindness: Buddhist Teachings for a Troubled World” on Sunday, Dec. 2.

The retreat will take place from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at A Positive Light Center for Spiritual Awakening, at 6470 Kelsey Creek Drive in Kelseyville.

The event is open to the public and offered on a donation basis.

This retreat is focused on instruction and practice with mindfulness and loving kindness meditations, lecture, interactive exercises, and question and answer periods.

Based on his latest book of the same name, Griffin's retreat will focus on the traditional teachings of metta, or loving kindness, practice.

"This practice is sometimes depicted as a simple 'open your heart and love everybody' practice, but a closer look at the Buddha’s teachings reveals a more complex and nuanced picture," noted Griffin. "In a time of great conflict and contention in our society, it can be extremely valuable to see how the Buddha addressed these relevant topics."

Topics to be explored are the challenges of living with other people; the risk of hating anyone, even your enemies; and the dangers inherent to conventional loving relationships.

Griffin is also the author of “One Breath at a Time: Buddhism and the Twelve Steps” (Rodale Press 2004) and “A Burning Desire: Dharma God and the Path of Recovery” (Hay House 2009).

He teaches internationally at Buddhist centers, addiction treatment centers, professional conferences, and academic settings, specializing in helping people in recovery connect with meditation and a progressive understanding of the 12 Steps – a set of guiding principles outlining a course of action for tackling addictions, including alcoholism.

As a leader in the mindful recovery movement and a founder of the Buddhist Recovery Network, Griffin is a longtime Buddhist practitioner and twelve step participant.

He teaches nationally on the synthesis of these two traditions and has trained with leading Western Vipassana teachers, including Jack Kornfield, Joseph Goldstein and Ajahn Amaro.

Griffin is hosted by local meditation teacher, Reiki Master and director of A Positive Light, Joanie Lane, and local mindfulness teacher and author, JoAnn Saccato.

Space is limited for the event and early registration is encouraged. Participants are invited to wear comfortable clothing and to bring a lunch. Mats, cushions, water and tea are provided. Donations are gratefully accepted.

For more information and to register visit http://www.apositivelight.com or call 707-279-6031.