We are grateful for the interest in this retreat! It is now full; however you may sign up for the wait list by clicking the link below.
Description: The story of the Buddha’s life recounts a day when he was 29 and, upon leaving the palace in which he had been secluded and pampered, encountered four heavenly messengers that led him to completely change his life. The first messenger was a very old man, shuffling and weak; the second was one who was very ill, and the third was a corpse. Seeing this he came to realize that he too was subject to aging, illness and death. Finally his encounter with the fourth messenger, a wandering ascetic, led him to the decision to leave the palace and devote his life to the quest for enlightenment.
We hope you will join us for a day of mindfulness devoted to contemplation of the heavenly messengers. The day will include a recorded Dhamma talk and a guided meditation on the five recollections that remind us that we too are subject to aging, illness, death and loss. There will also be periods of sitting and walking meditation and an opportunity for discussion in a small group. The day will be led by members of a Buddhist support group devoted to this topic. We have found that meditation on the heavenly messengers has made us more present in our lives and more appreciative of the wonderful complexity of life and we hope this practice will be equally as beneficial to you. We would be happy to provide support to those who are interested in starting a similar group for themselves. This day of practice is open to all who have experience with Buddhist meditation and wish to deepen their practice.
Registration: The registration fee is $25. Space is limited so prior registration is necessary, but no one will be turned away due to lack of funds.
Please bring your lunch. Vending machines for snacks and coffee and tea will be available. Chairs will be provided. If you prefer to sit on the floor, you will need to bring your own meditation cushion. Please keep in mind that there is no carpet in the meditation room. For more information, please contact Joan Sophie.