Letting the Mind Rest:
Shamatha and Vipassana in Nature

October 12th – 14th • Glen Helen Outdoor Education Center

We live in a busy world that some might call an “artificial environment:” inside buildings for much of the day, we might feel the comfort of a constant temperature but are removed from the rhythms of the natural world. In an artificial environment, the mind might feel “speeded up” and out of touch with the body; trying to rest the mind might be difficult. Meditation can help the mind find its natural rest, and meditating in nature can help us slow down and become more aware of the world around us. This weekend meditation retreat will offer ample instruction and opportunities for the mind to come to rest in light, color, sound, and nature itself.

We will begin our meditation inside the rustic Cedar Center at Glen Helen State Nature Preserve, taking sojourns to to woods for walking meditation and (weather permitting) meditation in chairs outdoors. Bring rain gear in case of meditation walks in the rain. See how easy letting the mind rest can be!

All people with interest in Buddhist practice; this retreat will be great for practitioners of all levels, including beginners.

Fees

Member Weekend – $95; Non-Member Weekend – $115; Member Saturday – $50; Non-Member Saturday – $60; Friday Only – $10; Sponsorship – $108+

Schedule Details

To provide participants with an experience similar to life at our “home” Monastery at Karma Triyana Dharmachakra in Woodstock, NY, the retreat schedule will be closely follow the KTD daily schedule. You may participate in all or part of the events; it’s your weekend, and you can choose what sessions you wish to attend. Brief interviews with Lama Kathy also will be available on Saturday and Sunday morning.

FRIDAY

• 2:30 PM – Volunteers load up
• 4:30 PM – Volunteers arrive at Glen Helen OEC ; unload and setup
• 6 PM – Check-in opens; tea and snacks
• 7 PM – Welcome and Opening Dharma Talk with Lama Kathy
• 8 PM – Chenrezig/Amitabha sadhana
• 10 PM – Evening gong; lights out; grand silence begins
• (Silence ends at Breakfast Saturday 7:30 AM)

SATURDAY

• (Morning Gong sounds at 5:45 AM)
• 6 to 7:15 AM – Green Tara sadhana
• 7:30 AM – Breakfast break; Grand Silence ends
• 8:30 to 9:30 AM  – Shinay Meditation
• 9:30 to 10:30 AM – Open practice (Ngondro and Shinay)
• 10:30 to noon – Dharma Talk by Lama Kathy
• Noon to 1:30 PM – Lunch break
• 1:30 to 2:30 PM – Open practice (Ngondro and Shinay)
• 2:30 to 4 PM – Dharma Talk with Lama Kathy
• 4 to 4:30 PM – Afternoon break
• 4:30 to 6 PM – Mahakala puja or Open practice
• 6 to 7 PM – Dinner break
• 7 to 8 PM – Chenrezig/Amitabha sadhana; grand silence begins at the close of sadhana.
• 10 PM – Evening gong; Lights out
• (Silence ends at Breakfast Sunday 7:30 AM)

SUNDAY

• (Morning Gong sounds at 5:45 AM)
• 6 to 7:15 AM – Green Tara sadhana
• 7:30 AM – Breakfast break; Grand Silence ends
• 8:30 to 9:00 AM – Shinay Meditation
• 9:00 to 10:00 AM – Open practice (Ngondro and Shinay)
• 10:00 to 11:30 – Dharma Talk by Lama Kathy
• 11:30 AM – Prayers of aspiration and dedication
• 11:30 to noon – Clean and pack up
• Noon or 12:30 PM – Depart

Attendee questions: info@columbusktc.org

Volunteers: Kim Miracle director@columbusktc.org

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