Registration Now Open!
2025 In-Person Spring Retreat with Santikaro!
Retreat Description
Understanding karma—our volitional actions—is essential for deepening our practice of ethics and meditation. Every intentional choice we make expresses itself through body, speech, and mind, shaping the course of our lives. Meditation itself is a powerful action—one that refines our awareness and reveals the intricate workings of karma.
Through meditation and mindfulness, we cultivate a clearer understanding of our actions, motivations, and their consequences. This awareness gives us the freedom to shift our choices, leading to more skillful and compassionate living. At the same time, meditation illuminates how our attachment to results and fixed identities entangles us in repetitive, limiting patterns. The path of awakening—of which meditation is central—is said to be the karma that ends karma.
During this retreat, we will explore the nature of karma in the container of noble silence, supported by a friendly sangha, sitting and walking meditation, and mindful living. Through practice, we move toward a life of greater kindness, clarity, and freedom from unnecessary suffering.
Join us as we deepen our understanding and cultivate a more intentional way of being.
Health Policy
Retreatants are expected to take great care with the health and well-being of everyone on the retreat. In the spirit of non-harming, please do not attend if you are ill. In case of illness, exceptions will be made to cancellation fees.
Retreat Location & Details
This retreat will be held at the Portiuncula Center for Prayer in Frankfort, IL.
The retreat will begin at 11am on Thursday June 5, and end at on Sunday, June 8 at noon. Participants are welcome to stay for lunch at noon. Bring your own cushion/benches, yoga mats; chairs will be provided.
About Santikaro
Santikaro studied with Ajahn Buddhadasa during the last nine years of his life, became his primary translator, and continues to share his "naturalist" approach to Buddha-Dhamma. Ordained as a Theravada Bhikkhu in 1985, Santikaro spent most of his monastic life at Suan Mokkh (southern Thailand). During this time, he led Dawn Kiam, a small monastic community for foreigners and was active among socially engaged Buddhists in Asia. He returned to the USA in 2000 and left monastic life in 2004 to found Kevala Retreat (then Liberation Park). His understanding of life has been enhanced by the Enneagram, feminism, cancer recovery, and trauma healing. He continues to teach nationally and internationally, and to translate the work of his teacher. He teaches Buddhism and meditation with an emphasis on the early Pali sources. He has led meditation retreats for more than thirty-five years, with a special fondness for mindfulness with breathing.
Read more about Kevala Retreat at www.kevalaretreat.org
Registration Fees
The cost for this residential retreat is as follows:
Single room: $450
Shared room: $400
Commuter: $350
Partial scholarships may be available for those who cannot afford the full fees. Contact events@insightchicago.org for information.
Cancellation Policy
Cancellations up to 30 days before the retreat will be subject to a $100 cancellation fee. No refunds will be given within 30 days of the start of the retreat unless a participant can be found to take your place. Eventbrite fees are not refundable. An exception will be made on a case by case basis for illness.
Reciprocal Support-Dana
In addition to the registration fee, teacher dana, “generosity,” is traditionally offered to the teacher at the end of the retreat. The Buddha’s teachings, sanghas of training and practice, places of practice, and practice resources involve the hard work of many people, technical skills, financial generosity, and an overall spirit of reciprocal service. As a participant in this retreat, in addition to the registration payment, we ask you to support Santikaro in ways suitable to your means and abilities. The kindness of others has made this retreat possible; your help ensures that such activities continue. You can learn more about the practice of generosity here.