Connecting Mind and Heart
The Mind and the Heart are not separate. We’ll take this week of silence to explore and put into practice various skillful means to let go of unproductive habits of mind. We can then experience insights that heal, uplift and ultimately free us. This results in a clear, quiet mind and a relaxed open heart.
The retreat will consist of silent sitting and walking practice, meditation instructions, interviews with the teachers and dharma talks.
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?
The retreat is suitable for both beginners and experienced practitioners. Beginners have a chance to become familiar with basic meditation techniques and to see their effects clearly in practice, so a retreat is a good way to begin a meditation practice. For experienced meditators, a retreat is a great opportunity to deepen and clarify their practice under the guidance of qualified teachers.
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 and a working period. 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?
James Baraz has been a meditation teacher since 1978. He leads retreats, workshops, and classes in the U.S and abroad. He is a co-founder of Spirit Rock Meditation Center in California and the co-author of the book Awakening Joy: Ten Steps to Happiness as well as Awakening Joy for Kids and has led a popular online course by that name since 2003 (www.awakeningjoy.info). James is also an advisor to One Earth Sangha, a website devoted to Buddhist responses to Climate Change. You can listen to dharma talks by James here.
Jane Baraz, MA in Psychology, has been a mindfulness practitioner since 1976 when she began sitting vipassana retreats. In California, Jane teaches Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) at University of California San Francisco and Mindful Self-Compassion (MSC) at Spirit Rock Meditation Center. She enjoys teaching Awakening Joy workshops with James in California and internationally.
The teachers will be assisted by Anne Patrikainen and Sari Markkanen, two of Nirodha’s lead instructors.
How much does it cost? How can I sign up?
The base price is 275 euros. The exact price will be announced at a later date. You may sign up by paying the registration fee and filling in the registration form. More information about the price, registration and other details here.
Warmly,
Melissa Airas (+35840 828 3506) ja Satu Posti (+35844 270 8807)
Marianne Kautiala (+35850 531 8228)