Sitting in Beauty: A 5-day Silent Meditation Retreat

“Whatever exists within us is a natural state. It is another dimension of natural beauty. People sometimes go to great lengths to appreciate nature by climbing mountains, going on safari to see giraffes and lions in Africa, or taking a cruise to Antarctica. It is much simpler and more immediate to appreciate the natural beauty of ourselves.” – Mindfulness in Action, Chögyam Trungpa

Meditation offers a way to nurture the qualities already present within us as human beings: openness, peace, care, resilience, and insight. To support this unfolding, the retreat invites direct exploration of mindfulness meditation and complementary practices such as yoga, slow walking, mindful eating, and loving-kindness practice.

Held in a silent and supportive atmosphere, the retreat focuses on direct experience of mind and heart. This secular and accessible retreat follows the tradition of Jon Kabat-Zinn’s Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction, as taught around the world. Participants will receive guided meditation instruction, listen to talks from the retreat leader, and have the chance to discuss their practice in a small group meeting. It can be a deeply meaningful and strengthening opportunity to meet oneself in a sustained, compassionate silent retreat setting.

Each day will weave together sitting meditation, walking meditation, mindful movement, and periods of informal practice, all within noble silence. The retreat leaders will share meditation instruction and talks that illuminate the basic principles of mindfulness, the shared nature of human experience, and the cultivation of wisdom and compassion. Participants will also be able to meet with a retreat leader in a small group setting to reflect on their experience and ask questions.

Attendance Requirement: Participants must attend all practice sessions.

Program Goals:

• Offer a safe, nourishing environment for developing a deep and grounded mindfulness meditation practice.
• Support a rigorous retreat experience that is independent of any religious outlook.
• Provide excellent guidance from highly trained, experienced teachers and meditation instructors.
• Maintain noble silence to create a strong container for deepening meditation practice.