The Bramaviharas: Divine Abodes of the Heart

In this retreat, Tina offers an introduction to the “Heart Practices” branch of meditation, centered on the four Bramaviharas, or “divine abodes of the heart,” as they are known in both Theravadan and Tibetan Buddhism. These four qualities are metta (loving kindness), karuna (compassion), mudita (empathetic joy), and upekkha (equanimity).

Tina will present the Bramaviharas as an integrated set of practices rather than as separate teachings. While they are often introduced one at a time, learning them together reveals their full depth and practical value. Taken as a whole, they offer a way to meet the human condition and respond to nearly any experience with an open, unblocked heart. She will also teach the Forgiveness practice, which she regards as the “fifth Bramavihara,” and will briefly explore Divine Love—an experience of non-duality that the Bramaviharas point toward as an expression of our deeper nature.

These practices are frequently overlooked, minimized, or reduced to simple mantras or gestures of goodwill toward others. In truth, they are essential to personal unfoldment and deserve to be taken as seriously as other major meditation categories, including Focused Attention (Samatha), Open Monitoring (Vipassana), and Self-Transcending (Dzogchen). As “Purification of the Heart” practices, they work with consciousness in a unique way, helping us digest universal personality material that can obstruct spiritual unfoldment. They are also a steady source of support during challenging times, both individually and collectively.

This retreat is open to all and suitable for both beginners and experienced meditators, provided the attendance prerequisite is met. The program includes teachings, instructions, periods of sitting and walking meditation, practice dialogues with the teacher, and opportunities for Q&A. The retreat will be held in silence.

Experience Prerequisite: One 3-day silent, residential, Buddhist meditation retreat

Partial attendance is not available. Please consider joining only if your current life circumstances allow you to observe an important modern renunciation practice: staying offline and remaining off phone/text for the full duration of the retreat. Exceptions related to urgent family situations may be granted.

Current Public Health & Safety Protocols:

Cloud Mountain continues to maintain public health and safety measures. Protocols vary by season, but some level of masking remains part of the retreat requirements.

Scholarship Info

Scholarship funds are available for all retreats to support participants facing financial hardship. For details, please refer to the Scholarship section of the overview information.

Special Notes

This retreat is intended for experienced students.

Retreat Cost

• Generosity Tier: $830 plus dana offerings to teacher(s) and staff
• Base Tier: $630 plus dana offerings to teacher(s) and staff
• Subsidized Tier: $530 plus dana offerings to teacher(s) and staff

In keeping with Buddhist tradition, none of the registration fee goes to the teacher(s). Participants are invited to offer teacher dâna at the event in support of their livelihood. Dâna refers to generosity, or freely offered giving, and is part of the “economy of gifts” surrounding the teachings.