Many of us have been through so much these past years, impacted directly and indirectly by a global pandemic. Many of us have endured heart-breaking losses and significant isolation. While we are not impacted equally, we are all impacted. This has been a test of our practice and of our community. While we maintained our connections and collective practice mostly on-line for many long months, we now have a long awaited opportunity to retreat together, as a community. Oh, what a joy! And joy is powerful medicine for the heart. As we plug into the joy of being together again in this special way, we can also turn towards joy as a fierce Buddhist practice, one of healing, resilience and the affirmation of life.
Led by Samayasri, Padmadharini and Ananta of the New York and New Jersey communities, this 2-day residential retreat will draw inspiration from the extraordinary way of life of Milarepa, a yogi who also endured much hardship in his life. Along with meditation, there will be gentle mindful movement, time in nature, teachings to ground us, and rituals to open the heart and inspire us. We will be guided by The Hundred Thousand Songs of Milarepa (the new translation by Christopher Stagg) and Sangharakshita’s The Yogi’s Joy: Songs of Milarepa.
SAFETY AND COVID-19
We will be following the Covid-19 precautions of the Dharmakaya Center, which will likely be updated by October 2021. Current measure are found here.
To allow for ease and peace of mind during the retreat and transport to the retreat, the Council of Triratna NY / NJ kindly requests that all those attending be vaccinated, with vaccination completed at least 30 days prior to the retreat. If you have any concerns about this request, or if you need support in obtaining a vaccination appointment, please contact the council. We will require proof of vaccination prior to the start of the retreat.
DATES AND SCHEDULE
This retreat starts on Friday evening October 1st, and ends on Sunday October 3rd, 2021 at noon. Participants can arrive on Friday between 3 and 6pm. Dinner will be at 6pm and the retreat program will begin at 7pm. On the last day (Sunday), the retreat will end at noon.
LEVEL / SUITABILITY
Meditation: This retreat will be most suitable for people with experience of meditation. Beginner instruction will not be offered during the retreat, but Order Members will be available for individual support as needed.
Mindful Movement: no experience needed, very accessible.
Whether recently developed or longstanding, attendees are asked to have some prior connection to Triratna Buddhist Community.
You do not need to be familiar with the Songs of Milarepa to attend. This is not a study retreat.
LOCATION AND TRANSPORTATION
The retreat is held at the beautiful Dharmakaya Center for Wellbeing, in the Hudson Valley. Information about transportation can be found here.
Closer to the time, the Triratna NY team will coordinate shared transportation from NYC and NJ.
ACCOMMODATION & COSTS
All rooms are single occupancy with a queen bed. Fees include all meals, which are vegetarian with vegan options.
Sliding scale: $280 (base) /$320 (standard) /$360 (benefactor).
Scholarships from the Council are available for sangha members, please inquire.
These fees only cover costs of the retreat and do not include transportation or (optional) dana. Please chose an amount that works for you, bearing in mind than any contribution about the base fee allows to more easily support those in need of scholarships.
Some rooms have private bathrooms; these will be allocated on a need basis.
*Discounts for couples willing to share a room may be available.