5 Night BCBS Retreat

Developing a Sustainable Mindfulness Practice in this World on Fire

with Bill and Susan Morgan

September 30-October 5

Barre Center for Buddhist Studies

Barre, MA

REGISTER THROUGH BCBS WEBSITE

Many meditators struggle to establish a regular meditation practice that is meaningful and enlivening. Others continue to practice in a manner that causes unnecessary pain and struggle, reinforcing a sense of discouragement or failure. Why is this? Why does meditation continue to feel like another ‘should’ for so many practitioners, rather than a practice that is both restorative and relevant in the everydayness of our lives.

To cultivate a restorative practice, setting up the foundation, the starting point of meditation, is of critical importance.  It is also an area where meditation instruction is often thin. In this retreat, we will specifically address how to develop a foundation for our meditation practice that can grow to become a nourishing and deeply relevant dimension of our lives.

During our time together, we will study and practice setting up the posture of meditation. Alone-together we will build our meditation from the ground up, learning how to create and sustain an environment conducive to making progress in mindfulness meditation. We will explore a variety of meditation instructions, guided meditations, and practices. Periods of teaching will alternate with sitting and walking meditation. There will also be time for group discussion and dyadic mindful communication exercises.

This retreat is appropriate both for those newer to meditation and those seasoned practitioners whose practice has become stale or stagnant.

Noble Silence and Mindful Speech: 

The format of this course includes dedicated periods of both noble silence and mindful speech. Participants are encouraged to actively participate in group discussion and dyadic mindful communication exercises. Noble silence is to be upheld at other times.

COST:

Supported: $545

Mid Level (Actual Cost): $695

Sustaining: $895

Benefactor: $1,145

Non-Resident: $325

Financial Assistance: a sliding scale may be chosen on the registration page and additional financial assistance from  Barre Center for Buddhist Studies (BCBS), or click here for information on scholarship assistance through Bill and Susan.

DANA:

Fees do not include payments to teachers. Students are invited to support the teachers with dana (generosity) at the end of the retreat.

SCHEDULE:

Friday:  7:30-9:00 pm

Saturday-Tuesday:  7-7:30 am, 9am-12 noon, 2:30-5 pm, 7-8:30 pm

Wednesday: 7- 7:30 am, 9- 11:30 am

REGISTER THROUGH BCBS WEBSITE