At some point you will find yourself considering taking time to deepen your meditation practice by attending meditation retreat. There are various retreat structures to choose from, and they are all wonderful, ranging from a day of mindfulness at a house to weekend retreats sponsored by a local sangha to a mountain retreat center that welcomes participants all year long. Below is a list of the retreats coming up that will aid you in attending one that appeals to you at this time. Also check the various retreat websites for retreats that are not on page.
March 3/15- 3/17 Blue Sky Refuge retreat led by Padmadharini.
Suitable for meditators with some experience, we will explore an aspect of the Buddha’s teaching on satipatthana or mindfulness as a path to liberation from suffering. You will be guided in an ancient method of noting sensations as a means of deepening concentration and awareness. Through careful cultivation of present moment sensations, the mind becomes naturally clear and equanimous. These techniques can reveal directly the true nature of our experience, and liberate the mind from the tyranny of attachment to self. The retreat includes teaching, led meditations and space to enjoy the beauty and stillness of the surroundings. Cost varies depending on ability to pay. Registration and more information at elainesmith3322@yahoo.com
March 3/16 10 am – 5 pm – Soji’s monthly one-day retreat (zazenkai) is a great way to experience a short, intensive meditation retreat. The day consists of zazen (meditation), dokusan, (interview), and samu (work practice). You are welcome to come for the entire day or any portion of it. Please bring your own lunch. Registration is not required. Suggested donation: $10. http://sojizencenter.com/workshops-events-2/
March 3/26 – 3/31 PBMG MEDITATION RETREAT Five-day retreat involving meditation and teachings
Retreat Leader: Anam Thubten
Arrival: Tuesday, March 26 starting at 4:00PM. Dinner will be offered Tuesday evening.
Sign-In: Tuesday evening from 4:00-7:00PM
Practice begins: Required orientation at 7:00PM. Teaching from 7:30-9:00PM Tuesday.
Departure: Sunday, March 31 after lunch
Location: Cross Roads Camp and Retreat Center 29 Pleasant Grove Road
Port Murray, NJ 07865
Cost: Dorms + Meals $630 or Private rooms + meals $760.
PBMG Contact: ATRinfo@PBMG.org Registrar: Kathie Smythe
April 5 (Fri, 6 pm) to April 7 (Sun, 5 pm) Foundation Retreat—three days of practicing Chan meditation in stillness and motion, with instructions on sitting, moving, walking and eating meditation, important Dharma concepts to support one’s practice, as well as private personal interviews to discuss difficulties in and questions about one’s practice. $220 (scholarships available; no prior retreat experience needed)
April 12-14, 2019 – Fri – Sun CTBC RETREAT www.tibetanbuddhist.org
The Nature of the Mind” with Ven. Losang SamtenPendle Hill Center, Wallingford, PA
The CTBC annual Residential Retreat will be held at beautiful Pendle Hill, a Quaker study, retreat, and conference center located in Wallingford, Pennsylvania. This will include teachings, practice and noble silence during meals and personal time in the Brinton House at Pendle Hill – Cost varies: $75 to 395 Click for More information
May 25 (Sat, 6 pm) to June 2 (Sun, 10 am) Silent Illumination Retreat—I am co-leading this retreat with my current teacher and one of Master Sheng Yen’s Dharma heirs, Dr. Simon Child. Detailed instructions will be given on this subtle method of Chan to investigate the mind, to really get to know ourselves, and to cultivate wisdom and compassion. Participants will also receive individualized instructions in private interviews. $525 (scholarships available; 3-day retreat experience needed)
June 20-25 Summer Sesshin at St. Raphaela
http://sojizencenter.com/workshops-events-2/
August 16 (Fri, 6 pm) to August 18 (Sun, 3 pm) Beginner’s Mind Retreat—For individuals relatively new to the practice, this is a good first retreat although many experienced practitioners find the variety of practice activities helpful. Besides sitting, walking, moving and eating meditation, we will also be practicing in workshops ranging from the Art of Seeing to the Art of Communication to learn about how to bring our practice into daily life. $220 (scholarships available; no prior retreat experience needed)
Oct 11 (Fri, 6 pm) to October 16 (Wed, 10 am) Western Zen Retreat—Within the context of Chan meditation, participants will make use of a question to penetrate the mind to gain a deeper understanding of our habitual tendencies and patterns of thoughts and insights into the working of our mind. I will be co-leading this retreat with Simon Child and Fiona Nuttall from the UK. This retreat has limited spaces as each participant will receive lots of individual instructions in private interviews. Suitable for both beginners and experienced practitioners. $375 (scholarships available; no prior retreat experience needed)
