Buddhist Meditation: Cultivate Wellbeing through the Skills of Awareness
Description
Finding steadiness and a more positive outlook in the midst of life’s difficulties
A DHARMAKAYA CENTER RETREAT
Why meditate? For many people, the answer is simple: to restore inner balance and nurture a more positive way of seeing the world. For others, meditation is also a path to understanding our lived experience more deeply. Over this engaging weekend, Buddhist teachings and meditation practices provide the framework for exploring our natural capacity for wellbeing, along with practical methods for lasting happiness in everyday life. Presented in an accessible and easy-to-follow style, the program introduces key Buddhist concepts and ways to bring them into daily living. You will leave with a clearer sense of how to build—and sustain—a practice that supports greater peace and happiness.
"Absolutely fantastic! John taught the dharma in a way that was accessible and understandable to everyone."
BRING A FRIEND DISCOUNT: Know someone who would enjoy this program but has never been to the Center? Bring them along and you will both receive 10% off your entire program package. To qualify, there must be two reservations, and at least one guest must not have attended a Dharmakaya Center class before. At checkout, use the Discount Code: BringAFriend. This offer may not be combined with other discounts.
SCHOLARSHIPS: Partial scholarships are available for this program. Please write for more information.
PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
Buddhist teachings on impermanence, selflessness, interdependence, morality, compassion, karma, and awareness, among others, can help guide us toward a life of greater peace, clarity, and happiness. But what do these teachings mean? How do they relate to one another? And what role does meditation play?
This interactive weekend includes teachings and discussions that offer a deeper look at Buddhist concepts and how they come together as a unified spiritual path. Meditation sessions throughout the weekend give participants the chance to experience the teachings directly and to see how different forms of meditation can open the way to greater clarity, compassion, and understanding.
The weekend will include:
- Meditation: Instruction in how to meditate, along with a variety of practices including stillness meditation, guided meditation, walking meditation, and analytical meditation.
- Three-Moment Method™: Created by Trungram Gyalwa Rinpoche, this practical tool can be used in real time—at the Third Moment™—to recognize harmful emotions and let them go.
- Teachings: With a focus on the direct relevance of Buddhist teachings in daily life, we will explore Buddhist concepts and philosophy including morality, impermanence, awareness, selflessness, compassion, and wisdom.
- Discussion: Interactive questions and group engagement help everyone make the most of our time together.
In the end, we will explore how meditation practice—both on and off the cushion—can become a living part of everything we do.
When you are not in a program session, enjoy the Center’s peaceful and beautiful surroundings. Take in the patio view, walk through 98 acres of woods, settle into a book in the library, or sit by the fire pit and look up at the stars.
EVENT HIGHLIGHTS
- Intimate setting with personal access to the teacher
- Interactive sessions with question and answer periods
- Personal and guided meditations
- Delicious all-vegetarian meals with locally sourced ingredients
- Option to extend stay on Personal Retreat
- Extensive library of dharma books
- Expansive wooded grounds with beautiful flora and fauna
OPEN TO ALL
There are no prerequisites for this program. It is suitable for meditators of all levels, as well as anyone simply interested in exploring the teachings.
SCHEDULE
(subject to change)
Friday, June 19
- 3:00 PM Check in begins
- 6:00-7:00 PM Dinner
- 7:30-8:30 PM Welcome and Introduction
- Calming Meditation Techniques
Saturday, June 20
- 7:00-8:00 AM Outdoor Walking Meditation
- 8:00-9:00 AM Breakfast
- 9:30 AM-11:30 AM Teaching and Meditation
- 12:00-1:00 PM Lunch
- 1:00-2:00 PM Personal time, woods walk, or personal meditation
- 2:00-3:00 PM Yoga
- 3:00-5:00 PM Teaching and Meditation
- 5:00-6:00 PM Meditation in the Outdoor Practice Pavillion (optional)
- 6:00-7:00 PM Dinner
- 7:30-8:30 PM Evening Meditation in Milarepa Hall (optional)
Sunday, June 21
- 7:00-8:00 AM Outdoor Walking Meditation
- 8:00-9:00 AM Breakfast
- 9:30 AM-11:30 AM Teaching and Meditation
- Closing Q & A
- 12:00-1:00 PM Lunch
- 1:00 PM Checkout and Departure
Accommodation Options
Private Room: Couple
This registration fee is for two people. This comfortable room has one double bed, and may be shared by couples in a committed relationship. With ample room for meditation, it features a desk and small table suitable for a meditation object. All rooms are furnished with linens, pillows, blankets, coverlets, and towels, as well as a meditation cushion and zabuton. The room shares a bath with one or two other rooms. Room rates include three delicious vegetarian meals each day (6 total meals for a couple room); there is also a tea station on each hall.
Junior Suite: Single
These large rooms have one double bed, a private bath, private terrace, a refrigerator and ample room for practice. Each room has a small table suitable for a meditation object and a meditation cushion and zabaton, as well as a desk and an armoire. Room rates include three delicious vegetarian meals each day; there is also an in-room tea station.
Junior Suite: Couple
This reservation fee is for two people and includes three delicious vegetarian meals each day (6 total for a couple). This large room has one double bed, which may be shared by couples in a committed relationship. In addition, it has a private bath, private terrace, a refrigerator and ample room for practice. Each room has a small table suitable for a meditation object and a meditation cushion and zabaton, as well as a desk and an armoire.
Teachers
With nearly three decades of dedicated meditation practice and study in Buddhist philosophy, John Henderson brings both depth and real-world perspective to his teaching. Since 2003, he has been a senior student of the Dharmakaya Center’s founder, Rimay master Trungram Gyalwa Rinpoche, and has continued to weave these teachings into a life of leadership and service. In addition to his spiritual...
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191 Cragsmoor Rd, Pine Bush, NY 12566, USA
Pine Bush
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Fri, Jun 19