JOIN INSIGHTLA’S CHRISTIANE WOLF & CELESTE YOUNG FOR THIS VERY SPECIAL 3-NIGHT (4 DAY) SILENT RETREAT AT MARY & JOSEPH’S RETREAT CENTER IN RANCHO PALOS VERDES.
Time in retreat allows us to step out of the complexity of our life, to listen deeply to our body, heart and mind.
A retreat provides an opportunity and a caring container deepening our meditation practice. The mindfulness practice on retreats is often accompanied and complemented by training in loving-kindness meditation.
Most of the retreat is held in silence, with periods of sitting and walking meditation There are teaching talks, guided meditations, time for questions and answers and meetings with a teacher. Three healthy vegetarian meals are provided for participants and dietary restrictions are accommodated to whenever possible.
Retreatants are encouraged to practice mindfulness in a continuous way, staying with their own present experience as it unfolds, moment to moment. In this silent and mindful environment, awareness sharpens, the body quiets, the mind clears, and space opens for insight and understanding to develop.
By cultivating the power of awareness, clarity and kindness, we discover our path to inner freedom and a peaceful heart deeper, for the benefit or our relationship to our selves, our community and our wider world,.
Retreats are led by a team of experienced teachers. The teachers offer instructions, dharma talks and regularly scheduled practice meetings to provide guidance throughout the retreat.
Retreat Dates: 3 nights, 4 days
Arrive 4:00pm Friday, November 8th
Depart 11:00am Monday, November 11th
What to Expect: The daily rhythm of a retreat usually involves alternating periods of sitting and walking meditation, nature walks, meals and tea, as well as practice meetings, dharma talks and rest periods. The first sitting usually begins before breakfast. Each morning the teachers offer continuing meditation instructions for the day. The whole retreat is a succession of mindfulness training, breathing practices, deep awareness of the body and environment, meditations on the nature of feelings, and awareness of mind are from the Buddhist Insight Meditation tradition.
Sitting Meditation: Sitting meditation is at the heart of silent retreats. In sitting practice silence and stillness develop, concentration deepens, and awareness expands. The training of the heart brings kindness and compassion for all that arises. We come into presence and learn to find freedom in the midst of life that as it truly is.
Walking Meditation: Walking gracefully and wisely on the earth is also a way to practice meditation. On retreat, periods of walking meditation alternate with periods of sitting meditation. Through walking practice, we learn to sustain meditative awareness through movement. In walking meditation, we become aware in the midst of activity. Throughout the retreat we learn to cultivate a mindful awareness in all postures, sitting walking and lying down.
Eating Meditation: An awareness of food, and the mindful understanding of the entire process of nourishment and eating is included in the practice at retreats. Retreatants are encouraged to bring the same calm, focused attention to eating as is brought to sitting and walking. Mindful eating is a wonderful context for the arising of insights. Every bite of food we eat contains, rain, sun, earth and the work of many, many beings.
Dharma Talks and guided meditations: Each day, the teachers present a different set of teachings that are central to practicing mindfulness and compassion. These teaching can be applied to our own experience. Sometimes the talks focus on retreat practice, and sometimes they offer teachings for wise living in the world.
Schedule: Check-in and registration begin at 4pm on Friday, November 8th and the retreat ends at 11am on Monday, November 11th.
Pricing: The price of the retreat includes accommodation for 3 nights and all meals for the duration of the retreat.
Dana or Donations for Teachers: Please note that the price of the retreat covers accommodation, food, facilities, and other InsightLA expenses. To allow the teachers to continue their dharma work, support from the students is needed. There will be an opportunity to contribute at the end of the retreat to the teachers.
Accommodations: For more information about Mary & Joseph Retreat Center – CLICK HERE.
Meals: All meals will be vegetarian. Some dietary needs can be accommodated such as providing dairy-free and gluten-free alternatives. If there are additional dietary needs, we welcome you to bring your own food to supplement the meals provided.
All rooms are sold out. You may sign up as a commuter to the retreat, which means you will be able to attend all of the programming and eat three meals, but there is no lodging available.
