November 6 to 12; 6 days with DaeJa Napier

The Brahma Viharas: Embracing this Life

The four brahma-viharas represent the most beautiful and hopeful aspects of our human nature. The brahma-viharas are lovingkindness, compassion, appreciative-joy and equanimity. When practiced, they open the heart to embrace all parts of ourselves and others with wise understanding, forgiveness and love. Also referred to as the four immeasurables, these mind liberating practices awaken powerful healing energies that brighten and lift the mind to increasing levels of clarity. As a result, the brahma-viharas transform the fearful, reactive and turbulent heart into a refuge of calm focused awareness.

The daily schedule will include instructions, sitting and walking meditation, interviews with the teacher, an optional afternoon discussion group and evening dharma talks. Both new and experienced students are welcome.

DaeJa Napier teaches with a particular emphasis on the Brahma Viharas. She has studied and practiced in various Buddhist traditions for over thirty years and has been teaching for seventeen. Her root teacher is Zen Master Soeng Sahn . Dedicated to exploring the depths of the awakening process, she maintains a yearly schedule of intensive practice. Most recently she practiced under the guidance of Sayadaw U Janaka, Sayadaw U Pandita and Joseph Goldstein. DaeJa is the mother of five adult children.

Note: Registration is through the Brahma Vihara Foundation.
Retreat cost: TBA plus dana offering. Scholarships are available.
For registration or other information please visit www.brahmaviharas.org.

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November 13 - 16; 3 days with Rodney Smith

Vipassana

This retreat focuses on the path of the heart and how awareness accesses the joys and sorrows of life with ever-increasing sensitivity, stability and love. The retreat format includes silent sitting, walking meditation and evening dharma talks and is suitable for both beginner and advanced meditators.

Rodney Smith has been practicing Insight meditation since 1975 including several years as a Buddhist monk in Asia. He has been teaching meditation since 1984 and worked in hospice care for 16 years. He is the guiding teacher for the Seattle Insight Meditation Society, is a Senior Teacher for the Insight Meditation Society in Barre, Massachusetts, and author of the book, Lessons From The Dying.

Retreat cost: $180 plus dana offering.  Register Here

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November 20 - 25; 5 days with Adrianne Ross

Metta for Women

Metta (Loving-Kindness) Meditation is a complementary practice to Vipassana [Mindfulness] Meditation. It is a formal practice originally taught by the Buddha as an antidote to fear. When we practice Metta we awaken to our own intrinsic wholeness, peacefulness and kindness and we provide an opportunity to deepen our equanimity. There will be specific instruction in Metta and in walking meditation, mindful movement and a dharma talk each day, group interviews and opportunities for discussion with the teacher. This silent retreat is suitable for beginning and experienced students of meditation.

Adrianne Ross MD, has been involved with meditaton and healing since 1978. Her teaching is influenced by Burmese and Thai streams of Therevada, as well as Dzogchen. She leads retreats in Canada and the US and teaches Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction to people with chronic pain and illness. She has enjoyed giving womens retreats for over 10 years.

Retreat cost: $300 plus dana offering.  Register Here

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