Doug Chermak: A Peaceful Environment

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Doug mentions a paper on the "Meditative Perspective" which can be found at: http://www.contemplativemind.org/programs/law/perspective.pdf

In Part 1, he talks about his path to doing work in environmental law. He talks about the history and mission of the Center for Contemplative Mind in Society. He talks about his own interest in meditation and how the retreat at Spirit Rock Meditation Center led to his role at the Center for Contemplative Mind. He talks about the amazing opportunity to share himself and reflect on the experience of legal education and law with peers. He talks about the structure of the Spirit Rock retreats.

In Part 2, he talks about his working group which meets monthly where they talk about the intersection of meditation and law practices. He talks about what contemplative practices are - see the graphic for more information - and the meditative perspective and how it enhances one's work.

In Part 3, Doug talks about the experience of attending a retreat and ways of maintaining the practice after the retreat. He shares some of his own reminders and structures for keeping contemplation in his life including a relationship with a buddy. He stresses that meditation is about being more engaged with our lives and how it balances with our work in the external world.

And in Part 4, Doug talks about the task of developing Continuing Legal Education credits for their retreats. He talks about the desire to have on-going programs around the country and for judges. He mentions some of the judges who practice meditation. He also talks about his larger vision for societal change.