Passion and Dispassion – a path of equanimity and aliveness.
How do the spicy, the firey, the engaging and the sometimes untidy aspects of being human fit with the images of the poised Buddha in perfect equanimity, not caught up in the world?
We need passion to walk the spiritual path, to be fully alive and to respond creatively in our life and in our world, and we need the wisdom born of dispassion to discern wisely the multitude of pathways that well up inside us and around us.
In this retreat we will develop our ability to recognise, receive and practice with the blessings of both passion and dispassion.
We will take our seat, steady our hearts, and allow our aliveness to inform a deeper understanding and creative response to suffering while still deepening our access to the unshakable balance of the Buddha.
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.
What requirements are there for taking part? What happens on a retreat?
This retreat is suitable for people who already have some background in residential Insight Meditation retreats and an ongoing and established meditation practice. It is not suitable for beginners. We recommend that people have attended at least 7 days of residential retreat with Nirodha or another Insight Meditation sangha.
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.
The retreat includes a daily breakfast, lunch and light dinner, all vegetarian. Participants stay in 2-4 person rooms. The retreat will take place at the Friendship Inn, which is located in Kruusila, near Salo, on the shore of beautiful Lake Pernjärvi.
Who are the teachers?
Catherine McGee has been teaching Insight Meditation retreats internationally since 1999. She is a member of the Gaia House teachers council, a guiding teacher of One Earth Sangha and a long term student of the Diamond Approach.
Her teaching emphasises embodiment and how to translate our deepest knowledge in to our lived relationships.
Two of Nirodha’s main facilitators, Sampo Koistinen and Juha Penttilä, will assist Catherine on the retreat, especially practitioners who would benefit from guidance in Finnish. Sampo and Juha are teachers-in-training under Rob Burbea, Caroline Jones and Martine Batchelor.
How much does it cost? How can I sign up?
The base price is 225 € but it is also possible to pay more or less than this. You can sign up by filling in the registration form. More information about the price, registration and other details here.
Warmly,
Aini Väätti 050 331 8809
Markku Ilo 040 413 6833