Insight Meditation: Coming home to simplicity, openness and tenderness
Why meditate?
The retreat environment can be an oasis of simplicity in a complex world. Whilst there is a rich variety of styles and techniques within meditation practice, the heart of it all can be understood as a return to simple, open and tender presence. With loving and patient curiosity we can sit upright amidst the world of changing experience and let ourselves be nourished by a simple setting. Step out of a busy world and come join us for this week, as we explore the timeless and profound teachings of the Buddhist traditions.
On this retreat we will practice insight meditation, also known as vipassana. The word vipassana means seeing things just as they are. Instruction in lovingkindness (metta) meditation is also offered. These 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 are the teachers?
The retreat will be taught by Caroline Jones and Paul Burrows. Caroline Jones has been practising meditation since 1989. She started teaching in 2006, and now teaches at Gaia House and internationally. She has also covered periods at Gaia House as resident teacher. Caroline teaches in Finland annually. You may find some of her talks at http://www.dharmaseed.org/teacher/362/.
Paul Burrows has practised in ashrams, Buddhist monasteries and retreat centres in the UK, India and Nepal, and began leading retreats in the Insight Meditation tradition in 2007. Some of his talks may be downloaded at http://www.dharmaseed.org/teacher/367/.
How much does it cost? How can I sign up?
The base price of the retreat is 190 euros. The retreat cost covers the traveling expenses of the teachers, 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.
Update 13.6.2013: The retreat is now fully booked, but you can still sign up for the waiting list by filling out the application form in the link below. You don’t need to pay the registration fee of 30 euros to sign up for the waiting list; you will be asked to pay it if a place opens up for you.
You can reserve a place at the retreat by paying the registration fee 30 euros to Nirodha’s account IBAN FI6012483000213060 (reference number 720131) and by filling out the electronic application form at http://tinyurl.com/bdqld25. The rest of the retreat fee (160 euros in case of the base price) should be paid by May 27th. In case of cancellations the registration fee is not refundable. If the cancellation takes place before May 27th, the rest of the retreat fee will be returned.
If you are coming from abroad please note that we are not able to provide any documents for visa applications because of limited resources.
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)
Sampo Koistinen (+358 440 513 176)