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Light on Meditation - A Stillness and Insight Retreat
with Special Guest Teacher Upasaka Culadasa (John Yates)
Rolling Ridge Retreat and Conference Center in North Andover, MA
February 29 - March 8, 2012
This silent meditation retreat offers extensive opportunity to deepen your practice and receive the blessing of a living master, Culadasa. The days will include sitting and walking meditation as well as instruction, personal interviews, Dharma talks/discussion, and meditative movement sessions.
All are welcome, beginners to experienced practitioners.
$600 covers your lodging and three vegetarian meals per day in a beautiful retreat setting.
Payment is required to register. You may either register with a 50% deposit of $300 or with the full payment of $600. Full payment is due by February 10, 2012.
To register or to ask questions, email light.on.meditation@aci-capeann.org or call (978) 381-9224.
Upasaka Culadasa (John Yates) is ordained as a dedicated lay-practitioner.
He has been practicing Buddhist meditation for 35 years and is the Director of Dharma Treasure Buddhist Sangha. dharmatreasure.com
His intensive training in and integration of both Theravadin and Tibetan traditions provides students with a rich and rare opportunity for rapid progress and deep insight.
As a Ph.D. he taught neuro-sciences until 1996 when he left to lead a contemplative life.
He is now devoted to helping students master meditation skills.
Upasaka Culadasa has a unique lineage in that he teaches a broad synthesis of Buddhist Dhamma derived from both the Mahayana and Theravada traditions.
Retreat Details:
The retreat will begin with check-in during the late afternoon on Wednesday, February 29 and include dinner that night.
The retreat will end after lunch on Thursday, March 8.
Noble Silence Silence will be observed throughout the retreat buildings and grounds, including meals. Except for Dharma talks/ Q & A sessions and private interviews.
Please note: The retreat is a silent environment. Retreatants need to be at ease with both silence and solitude.
Please review the Practice Guidelines below thoroughly. If you have any questions relating to the logistics of the retreat or registration, please email: light.on.meditation@aci-capeann.org
If you have any questions about the content of the retreat and the Practice Guidelines, please ask them of Culadasa and Nancy Yates at nyates@vtc.net
PRACTICE GUIDELINES
ACI - Cape Ann is offering this unique opportunity for qualified individuals who wish to undertake a period of intensive practice under the guidance of Upasaka Culadasa.
RETREAT GUIDELINES
This retreat will have a structured schedule of formal sitting and walking periods set by the teacher. Retreatants will be asked to take the Ten Precepts of the dedicated lay practitioner for the period of the retreat.
EXPECTATIONS FOR PRACTITIONERS:
• Adherence to the ethical guidelines of the Ten Precepts (see below)
• A commitment to use all activities of the day as opportunities for practice
• Maintenance of silence by refraining from verbal and written communication
• Sustained and continuous practice
• A commitment to being fully at the retreat, with no outside activities
• Participation in scheduled interviews and Q&A sessions
• Participation in the retreat schedule as set by the teacher
• Refrain from eating outside of scheduled meal times
ETHICAL GUIDELINES:
We ask that you abide by these ten Buddhist precepts for dedicated lay practitioners while at this retreat:
1. I undertake the precept to refrain from harming or destroying living beings.
2. I undertake the precept to refrain from taking that which is not given.
3. I undertake the precept to refrain from sexual misconduct.
4. I undertake the precept to refrain from wrong speech.
5. I undertake the precept to refrain from the intoxicants that cause carelessness.
6. I undertake the precept to refrain from sources of livelihood that bring harm to other beings.
7. I undertake the precept to refrain from acting out of ill-will or taking satisfaction in the misfortune of others
8. I undertake the precept to be open-hearted and generous in all my relationships with others.
9. I undertake the precept to act with loving-kindness and compassion in all my relationships with others.
10. I undertake the precept to live with mindfulness and follow the Eightfold Path through daily study, meditation, and reflection.
NOBLE SILENCE:
After registration and orientation you will enter the silent space of the intensive retreat environment. The buildings and grounds are in silence at all times. Yogis are also asked not to read, write, other than for practice or health reasons. The purpose of the Noble Silence is to allow the meditator to go below the level of words during their retreat. This is an extremely rare opportunity to be silent.
COMMUNICATION WITH THE OUTSIDE WORLD
The experience of being on retreat is a rare opportunity for silence and solitude. All personal and business obligations must therefore be taken care of prior to arrival.
WORK MEDITATION
As part of your intensive retreat practice, there may be some opportunities to engage in mindful service practice, such as keeping the indoor and outdoor meditation spaces orderly. In addition, all of your personal routine such as bathing and eating will be an opportunity to practice mindfulness in daily activities.
To register or to ask questions about the retreat,
email light.on.meditation@aci-capeann.org or call (978) 381-9224.
If you want to ask questions directly of the teacher, call or email
Culadasa & Nancy Yates
Dharma Treasure Buddhist Sangha www.DharmaTreasure.org
Home Office 520-826-1421 or 826-4141 (primary)
Cell 520-507-5906 (secondary only)
nyates@vtc.net
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