Led By: Ananta & Candradasa
Friday, November 15th at 3 p.m. to Monday, November 18th, 2024 at 1 p.m.
In Person at Dharmakaya Center for Wellbeing
191 Cragsmoor Road, Cragsmoor, NY 12420
Event Description:
“The Buddha was born as we are born.
What the Buddha overcame, we too can overcome.
What the Buddha attained, we too can attain.”
These verses (from Triratna’s Threefold Puja) perfectly capture something of the essential American ideal. They spring from the same great spirit as the words of the Constitution, Gettysburg Address, and Emancipation Proclamation that have framed what we mean, at our best, when we speak of freedom and liberty. As a human aspiration, they set us on a path that can turn such lofty ambitions into actual change and transcendence.
During this weekend, we’ll explore how our experience as fellow human travelers can meet the huge challenges we’re presented with — personal, cultural and political — and how the Buddha’s message of practical hope, radical responsibility, and deep kindness can help us make a difference in society and build a better America for those to come.
Led by Candradasa and Ananta, this 3-day residential retreat is offered in the context of meditation, reflection, and community as key aspects of practice to support transcendence, freedom, and awakening.
Event Highlights:
Instruction and support from highly experienced teachers
A thoughtful balance of meditation, yoga, contemplation, ritual, and rest periods
A supportive and friendly community of practitioners
Access to individual meditation support if needed
Q&A with teachers
Delicious all-vegetarian meals with locally-sourced ingredients
Option to extend stay on Personal Retreat
Extensive library of dharma books
Expansive wooded grounds with beautiful walking paths, flora, and fauna
Single rooms for all (option for couples to share)
Experience:
OPEN TO ALL!
Meditation: This retreat will be most suitable for people with meditation experience. Beginner instruction will not be offered during the retreat, but individual support will be available as needed.
Mindful Movement: No experience needed, very accessible.
Schedule (subject to change):
Friday, November 15th
3:00 PM — Check-in begins
6:00-7:00 PM — Dinner
7:00-9:00 PM — Group Introduction
Welcome, Introductions, & Dedication Ceremony
Saturday, November 16th to Sunday, November 17th
6:30-7:00 AM — Chi Kung Movement
7:00-7:50 AM — Refuges & Precepts, First Sit
7:50-8:00 AM — Leg Stretch
8:00-8:30 AM — Second Sit
8:30-9:30 AM — Breakfast
10:30 AM-12:30 PM — Morning Practice & Teaching Session
12:30-1:00 PM — Lunch
1:00-3:00 PM — Personal Time
3:00-4:00 PM — Optional Yoga
4:00-6:00 PM — Afternoon Practice & Teaching Session
6:00-7:00 PM — Dinner
7:30-9:00 PM — Evening Practice & Devotion
Monday, November 18th
6:30-7:00 AM — Chi Kung Movement
7:00-7:50 AM — Refuges & Precepts, First Sit
7:50-8:00 AM — Leg Stretch
8:00-8:30 AM — Second Sit
8:30-9:30 AM — Breakfast
10:00-11:30 AM — Morning Practice & Teaching Session
11:30- AM- 12:00 PM — Closing Circle
12:00-1:00 PM — Lunch
1:00 PM — Checkout and Departure
Accommodations:
The Dharmakaya Center for Wellbeing is located in scenic Pine Bush, New York in the Catskill Mountains and offers private rooms with healthy and delicious vegan and vegetarian meals. The grounds are beautifully curated and feature walking paths, along with an outdoor pavilion.
About the Leaders:
Ananta has practiced within the Triratna Buddhist Community for 25 years. He has spent over three years on retreat. He was Ordained in 2007 and is the Chair and a leading teacher of Triratna New York-New Jersey and of the Triratna US & Canada Men’s ordination training team. He is the CEO of Karuna USA, a Buddhist-inspired international nonprofit tackling poverty and discrimination in South Asia, and formerly led global youth empowerment initiatives with the United Nations. He is a certified Mindfulness teacher with Brown University.
Candradasa was ordained in 2001. He is from Scotland and has lived in New Hampshire since 2006. He is a founding member at the Portsmouth Buddhist Center and is also the Director of Dharmachakra, which produces Free Buddhist Audio and Triratna’s main online platform, The Buddhist Centre Online.
Candradasa’s name means “Servant of the Moon,” referencing the Bodhicitta in Shantideva’s Bodhicaryavatara: ‘It is the heart’s waxing moon, cooling the heat of passion.’ He tries — sometimes successfully — to live up to this.
A published poet, Candradasa is also the author of Buddhism for Teens: 50 Mindfulness Activities, Meditations, and Stories to Cultivate Calm and Awareness.
Event Registration:
Please use this link to register directly on the Dharamkaya website.
You will need the use the password: SupportAwakening
Pricing:
Pricing includes the retreat program, room and board. Information on the Dharmakaya website needs to be updated. When registering, please choose your accommodation and enter the amount indicated here for a Single Room with shared bath or Junior Suite with private bath.
Single Room with shared bath: $540
Junior Suite with private bath: $820
There is no discount available for shared rooms
Scholarships are available. Please contact us if you would like support.