Retreats
“The purpose of meditation is to make our mind calm and peaceful. When the turbulence of distracting thoughts subsides and our mind becomes still, a deep happiness and contentment naturally arises from within. This feeling of contentment and well-being helps us to cope with the busyness and difficulties of daily life.”
Geshe Kelsang Gyatso – New Meditation Handbook
During retreat we temporarily withdraw from our usual routines and activities and learn how to relax and develop peaceful, positive minds through meditation. In this way we create space in our mind and develop a fresh perspective on life. Many people find that the meditations they learn in retreat are of great long-term benefit to their life. Retreats include brief teachings and longer meditations.
Upcoming Retreats
Vajrasattva Retreat
Through the kindness of Vajrasattva, the Buddha of purification, we have the opportunity to overcome our negative karma by sincerely applying the four opponent powers. On this retreat, you will gain experience of how to apply these powers, and by doing so, begin to remove both the causes of future suffering and obstacles to the spiritual path. Through purifying your negativity your mind will gradually become happier and happier. Please come to any or all sessions
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This annual fasting and purification retreat, done conjunction with the Buddha of Compassion, is a powerful way to purify bad habits of body, speech, and mind, and to pacify strong delusions such as hatred and attachment. It is also a special method for receiving blessings and improving our experience of love, compassion, and bodhichitta. To participate in this retreat, you must come to the 6:30 am session to receive Mahayana Precepts for each day you attend. Includes a light lunch on Friday.
Gen Chogden will also give a special teaching to celebrate Buddha’s Enlightenment Day.
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