Many of us have encountered statues or images of Budai, a Buddhist monk, generally depicted as a happy, pot-bellied monk carrying a large cloth sack.

Once Budai was stopped on the street by another monk, who questioned him regarding the fundamental meaning of the Buddha’s teaching. Budai simply let go and dropped his sack onto the ground. The monk then asked about the actualization of the teaching. Budai picked the sack back up and went on his way.

The essence of this teaching is so simple: release and let go.

Over the course of this retreat we will be practicing the simple but direct Dharma path of release and non-abiding (wu-wei).

Found across many Buddhist traditions, this type of practice is centered around gently resting into expansive awareness and letting a natural unfolding play out. Over time, body and mind naturally release into deeper calm and clarity. From this deeper calm and clarity arise an intuitive and liberating understanding of how to live in a more released and connected way all throughout life.

This approach is quite gentle and body-focused and is well suited to those that prefer (or are curious about) working with experiencing and releasing body and mind in a direct, wordless way.

This retreat will be held in noble silence and is open to beginning and experienced students. The retreat content will include:
• Learning the 7-Point Vairocana posture
• Guidance on how to cultivate and balance tranquility and clear knowing
• Natural entries into expansive, effortless awareness
• The interplay between welcoming and emptiness
• Guidance on developing liberating wisdom and how it frees
• Instruction for practicing in various postures and throughout daily life
• Optional daily qi-gong and post-meditation self-massage

Partial attendance is not offered on this retreat. Additionally, please consider attending this retreat only if your current life circumstances allow you to engage in an important modern renunciation practice of staying offline and off phone/text during the entire course of the retreat (some exceptions related to pressing family situations may be granted.)