DISCOVERING WHAT DEATH CAN TEACH US ABOUT LIFE AND WHAT LIFE CAN TEACH US ABOUT DEATH
STARTING JANUARY 2026
This year long training program, based on the book A Year to Live by Stephen Levine, is designed for people of all walks of life and stages of life. In community, we will focus on waking up and living life more fully through the exploration of death as a spiritual practice.
Most aspects of our largely death-denying modern culture discourage us from actively contemplating the inevitability of our death, or that it may meet us at any time.
The prophets and sages recommend a very different approach to the fact of life's transience: that we use remembrance of death, not to put us in a state of anxiety or morbidness, but as a contemplative practice to assist us in our journey to awaken to that which does not die but lives beyond the ephemeral nature of our lives in this world.
Their lives bear witness to the fact that there is a way to die to the attachments and distortions of the ego and come to the realization of a deeper self that transcends death and the perishing realm. This is reflected in the prophetic injunction, "die before you die."
This core teaching of all wisdom traditions—that we can realize that which is eternal and transcends our physical bodies—paradoxically provides the means to live more fully and more presently while savoring the gift of each precious breath on earth.
Ultimately, this is a year-long practice in living with presence and intention; as well as forgiveness and gratitude, while letting go of what no longer serves us on our journey.
Through reflections from sacred texts, the prophetic teachings, and the great sages—as well as guided meditations, inquiry and small group discussions— we will journey with the support of community, through a process of living this year as if it were our last.
All are warmly welcome!
PROGRAM INCLUDES
Teachings: Monthly (12) large group sessions
Community Support: Monthly (12) micro-cohort sessions
Private Groups: Ongoing engagement with community and spaces for sharing
Home Practices: Guided meditations, readings & journaling
Access: Video and audio recordings
PARTICIPATION COMMITMENT
You’ll meet twice each month — once with the large group and once with your micro-cohort on the second and fourth Saturdays of each month. Together, these two monthly sessions form the rhythm of the program.
Participants are expected to:
Attend at least 9 of the 12 monthly large group sessions — the first session is required to establish trust, safety, and shared commitment within the group container.
Attend at least 9 of the 12 monthly Micro-Cohort sessions.
Participate as fully as possible — with video on and full engagement during sessions.
Complete assigned readings, practices, and reflections.
*If you are unable to make this level of commitment at this time, we kindly ask that you wait and join a future offering when you’re ready to participate fully.
facilitators
This training is taught by 4 lead facilitators who each bring a unique area of specialization to the program.
Core Facilitation Team
Baraka Blue
Micah Anderson
Adeyinka Muhammad Mendes
Tasnim McCormick Benhalim
In addition to our four lead teachers, we feature several guest teachers whose sessions offer valuable insights from their areas of specialization.
Guest Teachers
Arshe Ahmed (live)
Sohaib Sultan, rA (recording)
Abdal Hakim Murad (recording)
Abdallah Rothman (recording)
Ieasha Prime (recording)
Mirabai Starr (recording)
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January - The Prognosis & The Practice
February - Fear of Death & Dying
March - Who or What Dies?
April - What Comes Next?
May - Grief
June - Caravan of No Despair: Loss and Transformation
July - Unfinished Business & Forgiveness
August - Life Review and Making Peace
September - Last Will and Testament
October - Letting Go, Leaving your Legacy
November - We Are Not Alone
December - Saying Goodbye
*Monthly topics subject to change.
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We will meet twice each month — once on the second and fourth Saturdays of each month. The second Saturday session is 3 hours and the fourth Saturday session is 90 minutes.
— 2nd Saturdays (10:00 AM–1:00 PM PST)
Jan 10, Feb 14, Mar 14
Apr 11, May 9, Jun 13
Jul 11, Aug 8, Sep 12
Oct 10, Nov 14, Dec 12
— 4th Saturdays (10:00 AM–11:30 AM PST)
Jan 24, Feb 28, Mar 28
Apr 25, May 23, Jun 27
Jul 25, Aug 22, Sep 26
Oct 24, Nov 28, Dec 26
Time commitment varies, and like all things—you get out of it what you put into it. We meet every other week, alternating between large group and Micro-Cohort sessions, and as long as you can dedicate a few hours each week, you’ll be able to stay engaged and keep up with the course.
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We will be meeting online using
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Participants can choose one of two payment options:
Monthly plan: $99/month for 12 months
One-time payment: $900 (best value — save $288)
Payments are processed automatically and remain duewhether or not you complete the program.
Registration closes on December 31st.
REGISTRATION
TESTIMONIALS