Insight meditation retreat 13.-18.4.2017 in Kruusila, Finland

Awakening wisdom and opening our hearts

Why meditate?

Mindfulness meditation is a simple direct practice of the moment-to-moment careful attention given to our mind/body process, with a relaxed and interested attitude. Settling in the present, we learn to meet our experience from a place of greater connectedness and balance. Doing this exploration, we begin to recognize the reactive patterns of mind that are painful, and instead choose to strengthen qualities of mind that are helpful and healing. This kind of practice engenders a steadfast trust in ourselves as well as in the naturally emerging wisdom of our hearts.

Loving-kindness meditation will be part of the retreat, as it develops the heart’s capacity to open and relate to experiences with greater kindness and compassion.

These meditation practices are over 2500 years old, and draw from the Theravada Buddhist tradition. However, taking part in the retreat does not require an adherence to Buddhism or any adaptation of personal faith.

Why attend a retreat? What happens at a retreat?

The retreat is held in English. The daily schedule will include sitting and walking meditation, as well as cultivating mindfulness during all other daily activities, such as eating or work meditation. The retreat will take place in Noble Silence, and the format will include instructions in both types of meditation (vipassana and samatha), an evening talk and discussions that support the participants in their practice.

This retreat is suitable for both beginners and advanced meditators. For beginners, the retreat is a great way to learn the basics of insight meditation, and to see its effects clearly. For advanced meditators, the retreat offers an excellent opportunity to deepen and clarify one’s practice under the guidance of experienced teachers.

On the retreat we offer simple vegetarian breakfast, lunch and a light dinner. Accommodation is mainly in shared rooms of 2-4 people. The retreat venue is Friendship Inn in Kruusila, near Salo, at the shore of lake Pernjärvi.

Who are the teachers?

The retreat will be taught by Patricia Genoud-Feldman and Yuka Nakamura.

Patricia has been practicing Buddhist meditation (Vipassana and Dzogchen) in Asia and the West since 1984 and teaching Vipassana internationally since 1997. More recently, she has also been teaching Insight Dialogue meditation retreats in Europe. Patricia is the co-founder and guiding teacher of the Meditation Centre Vimalakirti in Geneva, Switzerland. Some of Patricia’s dharma talks.

Yuka has been practicing Buddhist meditation since 1993 in the Zen, Vipassana and Dzogchen tradition including extended retreat periods in the US, Burma and Japan. Originally trained as a psychologist (Dr. phil.) and a MBSR-teacher, she was trained as a Buddhist meditation teacher by Fred von Allmen and teaches both mindfulness courses and Buddhist meditation retreats in Switzerland (Meditation Center Beatenberg) and abroad.

How much does it cost? How can I sign up?

The retreat costs 140 euros. The fee covers participation to the retreat, meals and accommodation. It doesn’t include compensation to the teachers or organizers. You may also support their work, with a sum that you see fit. An opportunity to do so anonymously will be arranged at the end of the retreat.

Registering for the retreat has been closed. Details about the price, registration and other practicalities.

Warmly,
Markku Ilo (+358 40 413 6833)
Veikko Hari (+358 – 40 414 4123)