Weekend Single Day Retreats

Embodying the Feminine in Buddhism (Saturday Only Option) - With Rebecca Bradshaw

Sat 06/29/19 - 9:00am to 8:00pm

This Saturday Only portion of the weekend retreat is for all genders.  We will use our mindfulness practice to develop and nurture what are known as the feminine aspects of being: the receptive, relational, intuitive, and embodied in the natural world.  Living in a culture which values more doing, being productive, being goal oriented, and transcendence, many of us have lost touch with the energy of being, immanence, and listening in stillness.  We will discover the strength of our feminine energy within a Buddhist context.

Note: This weekend retreat is the beginning of a year long program where Rebecca will be offering five separate half day retreats.  Some themes to be covered in these retreats will include: sense based versus thought based, reality;  stories of our female Buddhist elders; mindfulness and being in nature; circle versus line energy; developing the grateful heart; Kwan Yin practice, nuturing surrender; and relational mindfulness.  The first of these half day retreats will be on August 18th.  You do not have to attend the beginning June weekend retreat (but it is recommended) in order to attend the following half day retreats.  

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Lunch and Dinner is included in your registration fee. 

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 (June14th).  50% of your retreat fee will be refunded if you cancel after June 14th, and no refunds will be given for cancellations occurring after 12:00 pm on Sept.June 24th.  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. 

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

Freedom Simple & Profound: The Liberating Path of Insight Meditation - With Chris Crotty

Sat 07/13/19 - 9:00am to 5:00pm

In the Satipatthana Sutta the Buddha’s profound confidence is made clear: …this is the direct path…for the surmounting of sorrow…for the disappearance of dukkha…for the realization of nibbana. The sutta, outlining the four foundations of mindfulness, provide us with a simple map to explore and understand the true nature of our mind. All experience we learn, can be observed directly and understood through these four “great frames of reference:” body, feelings, mind, dharmas. This is the liberating path that leads to wisdom and freedom from distress. Using the Satipatthana Sutta as our guide, Chris will walk students step-by-step through the practice of mindfulness, or insight meditation, through silent periods of sitting and walking meditation. 

Dharma reflections will be integrated throughout the day which will conclude with a question and answer discussion period. Students will leave with a clear understanding of the Satipatthana Sutta as a model for practice along with a handout covering the four foundations of mindfulness in detail to support further practice and study.  

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Half-day and full-day options are available (Full-day recommended). Those who attend the morning will receive instruction in the first two foundations, day-long participants will receive instruction in all four foundations.  

This retreat is open to everyone, though some prior exposure to insight meditation would be helpful.

Lunch: For those staying for the entire retreat, a volunteer will provide vegetarian soup, salad and bread at lunchtime. Participants are encouraged to bring their own lunch or a supplement for the soup, if they prefer. A microwave and refrigerator are available.

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

The Mindful Moment: A Retreat for Beginning and Newer Students - With Matthew Daniell

Sat 07/20/19 - 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

Freedom Through Non-Clinging - With Chas DiCapua

Sun 08/04/19 - 9:00am to 5:00pm

This is basically what the Buddha taught. If we cling (want and not want) to experience, we will suffer. If we let go of clinging, suffering will end. 

During this day long retreat we will bring awareness to the areas where we tend to cling, feeling the suffering in that, and allowing the Citta (heart/mind) to naturally let go of the suffering. In this way we can experience freedom through non-clinging directly for ourselves. 

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

Lunch: For those staying for the entire retreat, a volunteer will provide vegetarian soup, salad and bread at lunchtime. Participants are encouraged to bring their own lunch or a supplement for the soup, if they prefer. A microwave and refrigerator are available.

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

Mindful Presence: A Retreat for Beginning and Newer Students - With Ted Jones

Sat 08/10/19 - 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 Ted Jones

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

Embodying the Feminine in Buddhism - Bowing to Kwan Yin - With Rebecca Bradshaw

Sun 08/18/19 - 9:00am to 12:30pm

Kwan Yin is a bodhisattva manifestation of compassion, known as "the one who hears the cries of the world with ease." For this first half day retreat in our yearlong program “Embodying the Feminine in Buddhism”, we will engage in a bowing practice from Mahayana (later) Buddhism. Developing the qualities of surrender and compassion, we will devote this time to cultivating a heart that can engage with the suffering of this world with ease and wholeheartedness. Each student will be encouraged to bow in a way that is comfortable for them, ranging from a nod to a full bow. 

This year-long program (for all genders) will use our mindfulness practice to develop and nurture what are known as the feminine aspects of being: the receptive, relational, intuitive, the embodied in the natural world. Living in a patriarchal culture which values doing, being productive, being goal oriented, and transcendence, many of us have lost touch with the energy of being, immanence, and listening in stillness. We will meet for a residential weekend retreat and five half-day retreats during the year to support each other in discovering the strength of our feminine energy within a Buddhist context. Some themes to be covered include: Sense based versus thought based reality, stories of our female Buddhist elders, mindfulness and being in nature, circle versus line energy, developing the graceful heart, Kwan Yin practice, nurturing surrender, and relational mindfulness.

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Dates and times for the five half day retreats:

August 18  - 9am-12:30pm
October 27 - 1:30pm-5pm
January 5, 2020 - 9am-12:30pm
March 15 - 1:30pm-5pm
May 16 - 9am-12:30pm

If you would like to sign up for the entire five half day series, a discounted price of $140 Members/$180 Non-Members will be extended.  Please contact the Director, Debra Sullivan at meditate@imcnewburyport.com to take advantage of this offer.

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