Lifting the Gaze

Lifting the Gaze offers a chance to step back from the pace and pressure of daily life and return to yourself in the beauty of Menla, supported by the warmth of community. In the spirit of a traditional spiritual retreat, this time away is designed to touch both mind and heart, offering a concentrated period of practice to deepen your familiarity with who you are, exactly as you are, in this moment.

Personal practice is not about becoming someone else. It is not about being better, or rejecting any part of your body, mind, emotions, anger, or love. Instead, it invites you to open to the basic goodness already within you. Through the time-tested practices of yoga and meditation, you will explore the traditional benefits of joy and ease.

Morning sessions will include silent meditation, a dharma talk, Q&A, and sustainable yoga practice. Afternoon practices will include pranayama, restorative yoga, group discussions, and outdoor walking meditation. One evening session will feature a silent guided meditation.

Throughout the retreat, you will cultivate your mindfulness/shamatha practice, strengthen your commitment by recognizing and softening the obstacles that arise, and develop the skills and awareness needed to bring your natural goodness into the rest of your life. Together, we will explore the connection between why we practice, how we practice, and what practice brings forward. We will show up for ourselves, show up for one another, and keep the atmosphere light and enjoyable. All levels are welcome, and modifications will be offered for participants with injuries or physical limitations.

Schedule

Wednesday, August 5
3 - 4:30 pm Arrival and Check-in
5 - 6 pm Stretching and Restorative Yoga
6 - 7 pm Dinner
7:30 - 9 pm Welcome Gathering

Thursday, August 6
8 - 9 am Breakfast
9:30 am - 12:15 pm Morning Practice
12:30 - 1:30 pm Lunch
1:30 - 3:30 pm Break
3:30 - 4 pm Outdoor Walking Meditation
4 - 5:45 pm Afternoon session
6 - 7 pm Dinner

Friday, August 7
8 - 9 am Breakfast
9:30 am - 12:15 pm Morning Practice
12:30 - 1:30 pm Lunch
1:30 - 3:30 pm Break
3:30 - 4 pm Outdoor Walking Meditation
4 - 5:45 pm Afternoon session
6 - 7 pm Dinner

Saturday, August 8
8 - 9 am Breakfast
9:30 am - 12:15 pm Morning Practice
12:30 - 1:30 pm Lunch
1:30 - 3:30 pm Break
3:30 - 4 pm Outdoor Walking Meditation
4 - 5:45 pm Afternoon session
6 - 7 pm Dinner
7:30 pm Silent Guided Meditation

Sunday, August 9
8 - 9 am Breakfast
9:30 - 12:15 pm Morning Practice
12:30 - 1:30 pm Lunch and Departure

*Please note that the schedule is subject to change at any time.

Cyndi Lee began practicing yoga and meditation when she went to college in 1972. She began teaching yoga in 1978 and, at the request of her root guru, the great Tibetan master Gelek Rimpoche, she began teaching meditation in 1992. The first western female teacher to combine yoga ...