Online retreat 14.–21.8.2020: Leela Sarti and Mads Folmer Jensen

Embodied freedom – practicing the path of awakening for the good of all living beings and our home the Earth

The practice of embodied, mindful meditation and inquiry opens the possibility to understand and transform our habits of dissatisfaction and  distraction, and invites spaciousness and openness in our day-to-day lives.

Welcome to a retreat exploring the possibility of being grounded in the natural goodness of being. We will inquire how to live a content life from the ground of presence, and being yourself in peace with others. With a spirit of curiosity and kindness, we’ll open to a direct experience of clear wakeful presence and engage in practices that support realignment, deep rest and embodiment. Becoming intimate, moment by moment, with living reality expands our life-perspective and attunes us to what really matters in life.

This retreat supports stabilizing natural awareness and mind-heart-body fullness. As we unwind our physical and mental contractions, we heal and unveil our boundless nature, our human kindness and dignity of being. This practice is more than a  personal spiritual process. It embraces our fundamental interconnection with all of life, and invites us to be engaged in the world from our depth and from love.

The retreat will include sitting, walking and standing meditation, dharma-talks, instructions, guided meditations, inquiry and the possibility of individual meetings with the teachers.

The teachings presented during this retreat will emphasize continuous awareness as basis for clear seeing and developing wisdom. The meditation techniques we practice are over 2,500 years old and are mostly based on the Theravada Buddhist tradition. Taking part in the retreat does not, however, require an adherence to Buddhism or any adaptation of personal faith.

Why take part in the retreat? What happens on a retreat?

This retreat is suitable for experienced meditators, the minimum requirement is one 5-day silent retreat (in any tradition).

Teachings are offered mainly in English. The daily routine consists mostly of sitting and walking meditation and also includes instructions for meditation, an evening talk, a working period and a voluntary exercise of mindful movement. The retreat is held in silence except during individual or group interviews with a teacher.

Online format of the retreat


Due to the current travel restrictions, the retreat will be offered online. Two different formats are possible. All participants will join over Zoom three times per day. The retreat begins Friday 14th of August with a dharma talk and ends mid-morning Friday 21st of August.

8.30-10.00 guided meditation, teaching and instructions
14.30-16.00 guided meditation and Q&C
19.30-21.00 dharma talk and inquiry

Option 1: A full silent retreat: joining the three Zoom meetings and silent practice between the meetings (a suggested practice schedule will be sent out prior to the start of the retreat). In addition there will be small group meetings and the possibility of individual meetings.
Option 2: A retreat adapted to family life and other practical concerns: joining the three zoom meetings and doing some practice between meetings. In addition there will be small group meetings and the possibility of individual meetings.

For the sake of organising small group meetings you need to let us know which track you will do. We will ask about this in an info letter before the retreat. You will also receive instruction regarding how to create the atmosphere of a Dharma hall online and how to meet gracefully and supportively together.
Originally the retreat is for experienced practitioners but if you have studied with Leela or Mads you are also welcome to join even without the retreat experience asked for.

Who are the teachers?

LEELA SARTI has been a student of the Buddha’s teachings and practices for 30 years. She lives with her family in Sweden and in addition to teaching Insight Meditation retreats internationally,  Leela  works individually with students in her  practice in Stockholm.  She is a long term student of the Diamond Approach and since nine years part of a teacher training program in that tradition.

MADS FOLMER JENSEN has been working with inner transformation, presence and awareness for more than 30 years. He teaches meditation and spiritual embodiment with individuals and groups. He is living in the north of Copenhagen with his wife and where he also has his practice.

Price and donations

The base price is 30 euros.  This covers the practical expenses of the retreat.

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 retriitit@nirodha.fi and let us know how much you are able to pay. If you would like to help sponsor someone who does not have the financial means to pay the full price, you are welcome to pay more than the base price.

The teachers and organizers do not receive any payment for their services but offer them freely so that as many as possible have the chance to benefit from the teachings regardless of financial situation. This principle of generosity is very central to the teachings of the Buddha and has made it possible to continue the practice of meditation still 2,500 years after his life. The teachers live primarily off of donations. Retreat participants may support the teachers and organizers by donations at the end of the retreat – we ask that you take a credit card or cash with you for this purpose.

Registration and cancellation policy

You can sign up for the retreat by filling in the registration form. You will get a confirmation email after we have received the form and your payment. Pay the retreat price of 30 euros to the following bank account by 7.8.2020.

Account number: FI84 4108 0010 3769 97
Bank name: Oma Säästöpankki
Bank address: Valtakatu 32, 53100 LAPPEENRANTA, Finland
Swift code: ITELFIHH
Name of bank account holder: Nirodha ry
Address of the account holder: Vetehisenkuja 3, 00530 Helsinki
Type of account: business account

Reference number: 3020087 (It is important to use this reference number in the payment!)

Alternatively, you can pay via PayPal. Make the payment to talous@nirodha.fi. Please include the reference number above in the “note” field. The due date for the final payment is the same as above.

PLEASE NOTE. The registration form was designed for a residential retreat. You do not have to answer the questions regarding your diet and emergency contact person, and we do not expect people to completely refrain from email, phone and internet usage on the online retreat. Please fill in all the other fields, however.

In case of cancellation, please inform us as soon as possible. Unfortunately we cannot refund the retreat fee.

Questions

If you have anything to ask, please contact us at retriitit@nirodha.fi. We wish everyone a rewarding and meaningful retreat!

Warmly,

Anna Backholm (040-5362 946)
Tuulikki Hukka, registrations (050 432 9241)