“If you let go a little, you will have a little peace. If you let go a lot, you will have a lot of peace. If you let go completely, you will know complete peace. Your struggles with the world will have come to an end.”
EXPERIENCE MEDITATION WITH KUSALAMULA BHIKKHU
Kusalamula Bhikkhu, affectionately referred to as Bhante (teacher) by his students, is offering a 3-Day Meditation Retreat open to anyone interested in practicing meditation and experiencing it’s benefits. Bhante will share instructions and guidance in Buddhist meditation known as anapanasati (breath focused concentration), vipassana (insight), and metta (lovingkindness). While the context is the Buddha’s teachings, these practices are universal and help deepen awareness and compassion. The retreat is open to both new and experienced meditation practitioners. All are welcome.
DATE & LOCATION
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 28 to SUNDAY, MARCH 2
COMMUNITY YOGA CENTER I 2900 Adams Street I Suite A-20 I Riverside, CA I 92504
8:00 AM ARRIVAL TIME
6:00 PM DEPARTURE TIME
The retreat will begin on Friday, February 28th at 8:00am and end on Sunday, March 2 at 6:00pm at Community Yoga Center (2900 Adams Street, Suite A-20, Riverside, California 92504). It’s important for participants to attend all three days of the retreat. The teachings and practices for each day build on each other, and the time dedicated to practice is essential. It’s an extraordinary opportunity to relate with experience in a way that is very different from our habitual way of being. The yoga center accommodates people with mobility disabilities. If you have concerns about any other accommodations, please contact Kristin Varner for assistance in coordinating your retreat experience (951.515.3891).
NOBLE SILENCE
This retreat will be held in noble silence. From the first retreat morning to the last retreat evening, we will honor noble silence by not speaking or communicating with each other. Rather, we will focus our attention inward as much as possible. This can be difficult at times, but also a wonderful experience that allows us to experience a quiet, peaceful environment and the power of solitude. Noble silence includes not using mobile phones or engaging with other electronic devices (computers, ipads, tablets, and music players) during the retreat. It’s important to leave our phones and electronic devices at home or off for the duration of the retreat. Engaging with our phones and electronic devices can lead us away from strong interiorization, diffusing our efforts and experience in the process.
COMMUTER FRIENDLY
This retreat is commuter friendly. Overnight accommodations are not provided. Practitioners sleep in their own home or make local sleeping arrangements. A communal resting area is provided during the day while at the yoga center. Blankets and pillows will be provided. You are welcome to bring your own additional blankets, pillows, and sleeping bags for rest time.
BREAKFAST & LUNCH PROVIDED
Breakfasts and lunches that support a meditation environment will be provided. We serve tasty and nutritious vegetarian meals that may include dairy and eggs. The main meal of the day is served at lunchtime. All of our meals are served buffet-style. For those with allergies to gluten or dairy, please let us know and we will provide an alternative meal option. If you’d like to bring your own food for a light dinner in the late afternoon, please feel free to do so. A selection of caffeinated and herbal teas are available throughout the day, as well as plant-based milks. If you have special dietary requirements beyond what we can provide, please plan ahead and bring any necessary foods or supplements with you. Space is limited, please bring only those food items that are necessary.
DAILY SCHEDULE
Each day will spent in silent practice with alternate periods of sitting and walking meditation. Bhante will offer practice instructions and dharma sharings. Every day will include question and response periods, and an opportunity to meet with Bhante.
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 28
8:00 am
DHAMMA TALK
9:00 am
SITTING MEDITATION WITH INSTRUCTIONS
9:30 am
WALKING MEDITATION WITH INSTRUCTIONS
10:00 am
SITTING MEDITATION
10:30 aM
WALKING MEDITATION
11:00 AM
LUNCH BREAK
12:00 PM
REST BREAk
1:00 PM
ALTERNATING PERIODS OF SITTING AND WALKING MEDITATION
4:00 PM
INTERVIEW WITH BHANTE (OR SITTING MEDITATION)
4:30 PM
INTERVIEW WITH BHANTE (OR WALKING MEDITATION)
5:00 PM
LIGHT DINNER (BRING YOUR OWN) OR TEA BREAK
6:00 PM
SITTING MEDITATION
6:30 PM
WALKING MEDITATION
7:00 PM
QUESTIONS & RESPONSE
8:00 PM
RETIRE TO YOUR SLEEP SPACE - LIGHTS OUT
SATURDAY, MARCH 1
6:00 am
SITTING MEDITATION
6:30 aM
WALKING MEDITATION
7:00 AM
BREAKFAST BREAK
8:00 am
DHAMMA TALK
9:00 am
SITTING MEDITATION WITH INSTRUCTIONS
9:30 am
WALKING MEDITATION WITH INSTRUCTIONS
10:00 am
SITTING MEDITATION
10:30 aM
WALKING MEDITATION
11:00 AM
LUNCH BREAK
12:00 PM
REST BREAk
1:00 PM
ALTERNATING PERIODS OF SITTING AND WALKING MEDITATION
4:00 PM
INTERVIEW WITH BHANTE (OR SITTING MEDITATION)
4:30 PM
INTERVIEW WITH BHANTE (OR WALKING MEDITATION)
5:00 PM
LIGHT DINNER (BRING YOUR OWN) OR TEA BREAK
6:00 PM
SITTING MEDITATION
6:30 PM
WALKING MEDITATION
7:00 PM
QUESTIONS & RESPONSE
8:00 PM
RETIRE TO YOUR SLEEP SPACE - LIGHTS OUT
SUNDAY, MARCH 2
6:00 am
SITTING MEDITATION
6:30 aM
WALKING MEDITATION
7:00 AM
BREAKFAST BREAK
8:00 am
DHAMMA TALK
9:00 am
SITTING MEDITATION WITH INSTRUCTIONS
9:30 am
WALKING MEDITATION WITH INSTRUCTIONS
10:00 am
SITTING MEDITATION
10:30 aM
WALKING MEDITATION
11:00 AM
LUNCH BREAK
12:00 PM
REST BREAk
1:00 PM
ALTERNATING PERIODS OF SITTING AND WALKING MEDITATION
4:00 PM
QUESTIONS & RESPONSE + DHAMMA TALK
5:30 PM
END OF RETREAT
OFFERED FREELY
There is no fee to attend the retreat. At the end of the retreat, there will be an opportunity to offer dana (donations) to the Sakyamuni Buddhist Meditation Center.
THANK YOU SPONSORS!
Thank you to our retreat sponsors Kim Nguyen, Tobias Moynuer, and Carly Pierce. Your generosity and kindness make this retreat possible. Thank you!
QUESTIONS?
Please feel free to reach out to Kristin Varner via phone, text, or email if you have questions about the retreat (951.515-3891 - kristin.varner@varnerbrandt.com).
