Insight meditation retreat 5.-10.4.2012 in Kruusila, Finland

The way of liberation: Staying present

The retreat is currently fully booked, but you can subscribe to the waiting list; see the red text below.

What is insight meditation? Why meditate?

Insight meditation (also known as vipassana) is a simple direct practice of the moment-to-moment careful attention to our mind/body process with a relaxed and interested attitude. By staying present we learn to meet ourselves and life from a place of greater connectedness and balance. As our practice unfolds, a natural clarity manifests which supports the way of liberation.

Loving-kindness meditation will also be part of the retreat as it develops the heart’s capacity to open and relate with kindness and compassion. Vipassana and metta meditation techniques 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?

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 see its effects clearly. For advanced meditators, the retreat offers an excellent opportunity to deepen and clarify one’s practice in the guidance of an experienced teacher.

The retreat is held in English. The days are spent in silence and consist of sitting and walking meditation, dharma talks, work period, small group discussions and individual interviews. Vegetarian breakfast, lunch, and a light dinner are served during the retreat. The venue of the retreat is Ystävyyden Majatalo in Kruusila near Salo, about 100 km west of Helsinki, Finland.

Who is the teacher?

The retreat will be taught by Patricia Genoud-Feldman. She has been practicing Buddhist meditation since 1984 (Vipassana and Dzogchen) first in Asia under the guidance of Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche and Sayadaw Upandita and then in the West. She has completed her teacher training at the Insight Meditation Society in Barre, MA under the guidance of Joseph Goldstein and other senior teachers. She has been teaching Vipassana meditation since 1997 in Europe, Israel and the US.

Patricia has also trained in Insight Dialogue and the Relational Dharma with Gregory Kramer and teaches it since 2009.  She has also trained  in MBSR in Worcester, MA. She is a co-founder of the Vimalakirti Meditation Center in Switzerland. Patricia is a well-liked teacher and we are happy to have her teach in Finland now for the fourth time. Patricia’s dharma talks can be listened to at http://www.dharmaseed.org/teacher/137/.

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

The base price of the retreat is 165 euros. The retreat cost covers the traveling expenses of the teacher, the rent of the retreat facility, and the food expenses. The teacher and the organizers do not receive any payment for their services; instead, the retreatants may support the teachers and the organizers by donations after the retreat.

The retreat is currently fully booked, but you can subscribe to the waiting list by filling out the electronic application form at http://tinyurl.com/cg795on. We will contact the people on the waiting list as cancellations occur. Some cancellations are likely to come at the beginning of March.

You can reserve a place at the retreat by paying the registration fee 40 euros to Nirodha’s account IBAN FI6012483000213060 (reference number 0420127) and by filling out the electronic application form at http://tinyurl.com/cg795on. The rest of the retreat fee (125 euros in case of the base price) should be paid by March 1st. In case of cancellations, Nirodha will keep the registration fee. If the cancellation takes place before March 1st, the rest of the retreat fee will be given back.

If you are coming from abroad please note that we are not able to provide any documents for visa applications because of limited resources. Before signing up for the retreat, please make sure that you are able to travel to Finland with your own visa if needed.

We feel that financial situation should not prevent anybody from participating, so we are willing to offer the retreat for a reduced price, if needed. If the base price is too high for you, please contact us at nirodha.retriitit@gmail.com and let us know how much you are able to pay. If you would like to support those in dire financial situation, you can pay more than the base price.

If you have any questions, you can send us an e-mail at nirodha.retriitit@gmail.com.

Best regards,
Tuulikki Hukka (+358 50 432 9241)
Anne Patrikainen (+358 40 533 9812)