Weekend Single Day Retreats

Awakening to the Present Moment: A Retreat for Beginning and Newer Students - With Matthew Daniell

Sat 09/08/18 - 10:00am to 12:30pm

Insight meditation is a time-tested method of mind training that enables us to change our relationship to each moment’s experience, and thus our lives. In this retreat, specially designed for beginners and those with limited meditation experience, we will systematically explore (through sitting and walking meditation periods, teachings, and discussion) how to calm and steady the mind and see more clearly.  As we strengthen this capacity we begin to move from suffering and reactivity to responsiveness, freshness and ease. We learn how to touch and live in the mindful moment.

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The Next Step: A Level II Retreat for Advanced Beginners - With Ted Jones

Sat 09/15/18 - 9:30am to 12:30pm

Come and experience a morning of guided and silent meditation designed for students who have completed an Introductory Class at IMCN or a similar offering at another center. This retreat will introduce participants to the experience of more extended periods of silent meditation with longer periods than in most beginner retreats but shorter than the usual format for experienced students. There will be three 30 minute periods of sitting meditation, two 20 minute periods of walking meditation, and ample time for questions and discussion.

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Peace of Mind and Happiness: An Equanimity Retreat - With Chris Crotty

Sat 09/22/18 - 9:00am to 1:00pm

Buddhist meditation pursues happiness by using knowledge to achieve mental balance. Buddhist teachings describe a boundless well-being attainable by understanding that attachments and repulsions disturb the mind. Equanimity, or peace of mind, is one of twenty-five “beautiful mental factors” (sobhaana) taught by the Buddha and thus represents one of the highest goals of practice and one of the deepest forms of happiness we can experience. 

In this retreat, silent periods of sitting and walking meditation will combine mindfulness (insight) meditation with instructions in equanimity aimed at developing an attitude of even-mindedness in the face of all experiences, both pleasurable and painful. Retreat will close with a dharma reflection and an opportunity for discussion with the teacher and other students. 

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Please note early start time.

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Mindfulness of Body as a Support for Concentration & Wisdom (Saturday Only Option) - With Chas DiCapua (SATURDAY ONLY OPTION)

Sat 09/29/18 - 9:00am to 9:00pm

This is the Saturday Only Option to the weekend retreat held from Friday, 9/28 to Sunday, 9/30.

Learning to inhabit our bodies is something we all need to do as we walk the Buddha’s Noble Eightfold Path.  As we train our attention to be embodied, a whole world of bodily aliveness opens up to us. Connecting with this aliveness in a direct, somatic way helps the mind to relax and calm, as well as understand the truth of the way things are. We see what the Buddha meant when he said, “The entire universe can be known in this fathom long body.”

We’ll begin the retreat by establishing mindfulness on the body, establishing calm and concentration. We’ll then look more closely at those same bodily experiences to better understand the lawful nature in which they arise and pass away. Finally, we’ll notice our relationship to those bodily experiences and whether those relationships are leading to happiness or suffering.

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Cancellation/Refund Policy:

Due to the high fixed cost of this weekend retreat, a full refund, minus $50 processing fee, will be given for cancellations up to two weeks prior to the retreat (Sept. 14th).  50% of your retreat fee will be refunded if you cancel after Sept. 14th, and no refunds will be given for cancellations occurring after 12:00 pm on Sept. 26th.  This policy applies to both the Residential Retreat and Commuter Retreat prices. 

For the Saturday only retreat fees, the above policies apply regarding refunds, with the exception that the processing fee will be $25. 

Lunch and dinner are included in your registration fee.

To pay by check or read our refund policy, click here

Insight Meditation for Beginners: A Retreat for Beginning and Newer Students - With Matthew Daniell

Sat 10/06/18 - 10:00am to 12:30pm

Insight meditation is a time-tested method of mind training that enables us to change our relationship to each moment’s experience, and thus our lives. In this retreat, specially designed for beginners and those with limited meditation experience, we will systematically explore (through sitting and walking meditation periods, teachings, and discussion) how to calm and steady the mind and see more clearly.  As we strengthen this capacity we begin to move from suffering and reactivity to responsiveness, freshness and ease. We learn how to touch and live in the mindful moment.

Read About Matthew Daniell

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To pay by check or read our refund policy, click here

The Relaxed Mind Retreat, Part One: 1-4 of the Seven Meditations - With Matthew Daniell

Sat 10/20/18 - 9:00am to 5:00pm

Could you use a little more relaxation in your meditation practice? In your life? Kilung Rinpoche in his book, ‘The Relaxed Mind,’ leads us through meditations that may have a unique contribution to what it means to be ‘relaxed.’ The approach is based in mindfulness, but also draws deep inspiration from Tibetan Buddhist wisdom, and is secular in its instructions. It emphasizes both ease, and relaxation, but also clarity.  It is designed to help us to undercut habits of making ourselves and others ‘right and wrong,’ and unlock a deep abiding capacity in ourselves for compassionate presence and relaxed wakeful ease. In this retreat we will be guided through exploring for ourselves the first four of seven meditations, along with time for discussion.  These first four meditations emphasize working qualities of grounded calm, and connected ease. This offering will complement a later retreat, emphasizing meditations four through seven (held on 11/17), but is an independent offering and has integrity practiced on its own. Our guiding teacher, Matthew, has been authorized to teach this approach. No previous experience with these meditations is necessary. If interested, the reading Kilung Rinpoche’s book would be a wonderful complement to the retreat, but is in no way required.

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There is an optional morning half day from 9am-12:30pm.

NOTE:  For those staying for the entire day, lunch is included with your registration fee.  However, if you register for this retreat after Thursday, ­­­­­­October 18th please bring your own lunch as we have already taken a final count for the volunteer who makes the soup.

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