Love Your Enemies: Annual New Year's Dharma & Yoga Retreat

That which we call an enemy marks the edge between limited lovingkindness, compassion, sympathetic joy and equanimity and the potential boundlessness of these qualities.  In life we are presented with various outer enemies—be they malevolent competitors at work or in business, corrupt imperious politicians, or even wayward neighbors or family members—as well as a host of inner enemies, from our addictive emotions to our mental delusions.

In this workshop we will explore a range of inner and outer enemies, looking at the fear, anger, and anguish generated by being stuck in a mode of “us” and “them”, and focus on the liberation that we are capable of, and on Buddhist teachings and techniques that help us to realize that liberation. The format of the teaching portion of this retreat will be a mix of discourse, dialogue, question and answer, and meditation practice, helping us to make possible an experience of a more true happiness, one infused with reality, wakefulness, wisdom and compassion, as we begin the new year. 

In addition to teachings and meditation led by Sharon and Bob, Carolyn and Brooke will offer expert Iyengar yoga instruction each morning (you need not practice Iyengar yoga specifically to participate in the yoga classes). Take advantage of our wonderful healing spa therapies in the afternoon recess, or attend one of our free optional afternoon classes and activities including more Iyengar yoga classes with Carolyn and Brooke, chanting (kirtan) with Lily Cushman, and qi gong instruction with Paul Bloom. Finally, two illuminating astrology classes—with master astrologer and astronomer Alexander Mallon—will help shed light on cosmic patterns we can expect in the near future, our “astrological forecast,” as we come together to let go of recent patterns and set meaningful intentions for the coming year.

Open to all levels of experience.

We encourage you to register early as space is limited and this event often sells out. 

Read a nice review of this retreat here.

About Lily: Lily is the co-founder and director of the Brooklyn Yoga School, a donation-based yoga center voted “Best of New York” by New York Magazine in 2011. She currently serves as the Executive Assistant to meditation teacher and NY Times bestselling author, Sharon Salzberg and has worked for world-renowned chanter, Krishna Das, for many years. A longtime musician herself, Lily found a natural home in the practices of Bhakti Yoga: chanting mantras in the traditional call and response style of Northern India. It has since become a foundational part of her practice, and for nearly a decade she has regularly led chanting events in the greater New York area. Learn more: https://www.lilycushman.com/

About Kirtan: Singing has always been a natural conduit for storytelling and prayer. Every culture carries its unique flavor and tradition. Kirtan hails from the temples and hearts of India, where it has been practiced for thousands of years. This style of singing is rooted in call and response chanting of Sanskrit mantras and devotional songs. At its core, it is considered a spiritual practice and pathway of self discovery, and a form of yoga and meditation. Each repetition of the mantra is a way to gather our awareness and concentration and to be fully present in the moment. The mantras themselves are like gateways to different aspects of ourselves.

Schedule

Wednesday, Dec 27th

3 – 8 p.m. Check-in
6 – 7 p.m. Dinner
7:30 p.m. Welcome and Evening Program with Sharon & Bob (Conf. Center)

Thursday, Dec 28th

6:30 a.m. Morning Coffee and Tea Available (Lhasa Inn)
7:45 – 8:45 a.m. Breakfast
9 – 10:45 a.m. Meditation with Sharon & Bob (Conf. Center)
11 – 12:30 p.m. Yoga Asanas with Carolyn or Brooke (Conf. Center/Yoga Studio)
12 – 1:30 p.m. Lunch
1:30 – 4:30 p.m. Free Time for Relaxation, Spa Treatments, etc
2:30 – 4 p.m. Optional Classes:
1) Yoga Asanas with Carolyn or Brooke (Conf. Center/Yoga Studio)
2) Qi Gong with Paul Bloom (Sanctuary)
3) Hanuman Chalisas with Lily Cushman (Conf. Center Practice Room)
4:30 – 6:15 p.m. Afternoon Program with Sharon & Bob (Conf. Center)
6:30 – 7:30 p.m. Dinner
7:45 p.m. 2017 Astrological Forecast w/ Alexander Mallon – World Events (Conf.
Center)

Friday, Dec 29th

6:30 a.m. Morning Coffee and Tea Available (Lhasa Inn)
7:45 – 8:45 a.m. Breakfast
9 – 10:45 a.m. Meditation with Sharon (Conf. Center)
11 – 12:30 p.m. Yoga Asanas with Carolyn or Brooke (Conf. Center/Yoga Studio)
12 – 1:30 p.m. Lunch
1:30 – 4:30 p.m. Free Time for Spa Treatments, Optional Classes, Relaxation, etc
2:30 – 4 p.m. Optional Classes:
1) Yoga Asanas with Carolyn or Brooke (Conf. Center/Yoga Studio)
2) Qi Gong with Paul Bloom (Sanctuary)
3) Hanuman Chalisas with Lily Cushman (Conf. Center Practice Room)
4:30 – 6 :15 p.m. Afternoon Program with Bob (Conf. Center)
6:30 – 7:30 p.m. Dinner
7:45 p.m. Evening Program with Sharon & Bob (Conf. Center)

Saturday, Dec 30th

6:30 a.m. Morning Coffee and Tea Available (Lhasa Inn)
7:45 – 8:45 a.m. Breakfast
9 – 10:45 a.m. Meditation with Sharon (Conf. Center)
11 – 12:30 p.m. Yoga Asanas with Carolyn or Brooke (Conf. Center/Yoga Studio)
12 – 1:30 p.m. Lunch
1:30 – 4:30 p.m. Free Time for Spa Treatments, Optional Classes, Relaxation, etc
2:30 – 4 p.m. Optional Classes:
1) Yoga Asanas with Carolyn or Brooke (Conf. Center/Yoga Studio)
2) Qi Gong with Paul Bloom (Sanctuary)
3) Hanuman Chalisas with Lily Cushman (Conf. Center Practice Room)
4:30 – 6:15 p.m. Afternoon Program with Bob (Conf. Center)
6:30 – 7:30 p.m. Dinner
7:45 p.m. Evening Program with Sharon & Bob (Conf. Center)

Sunday, Dec 31st

6:30 a.m. Morning Coffee and Tea Available (Lhasa Inn)
7:45 – 8:45 a.m. Breakfast
9 – 10:45 a.m. Meditation with Sharon & Bob (Conf. Center)
11 – 12:30 p.m. Yoga Asanas with Carolyn or Brooke (Conf. Center/Yoga Studio)
12 – 1:30 p.m. Lunch
1:30 – 4:30 p.m. Free Time for Spa Treatments, Optional Classes, Relaxation, etc
2 – 4 p.m. Optional Class: Cosmic Mirror Intensive with Alexander. This class is limited to 7 people @ $60 a person, please reserve with our spa at spa@menla.org
2:30 – 4 p.m. Optional Classes:
1) Yoga Asanas with Carolyn or Brooke (Conf. Center/Yoga Studio)
2) Qi Gong with Paul Bloom (Sanctuary)
4:30 – 6:15 p.m. Afternoon Meditation and Closing Thoughts with Sharon and Bob (Conf. Center)
6:30 – 7:30 p.m. Dinner
8 p.m. Group Sound Healing with Sage Academy of Sound Energy (Conf. Center)
11:00pm – 12 a.m. Ring in the New Year and Set Intentions with Sharon, Bob, & Nena, Hors
D’oeuvres and Non-alcoholic Toast (Lhasa Inn Dining Room)

Monday, Jan 1st

6:30 a.m. Morning Coffee and Tea Available (Lhasa Inn)
8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. New Year’s Day Brunch
9:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. 2017 Astrological Forecasts w/ Alex – Individual Charts (Conf. Center)
11 a.m – 1 p.m. Check-out

* Please note that Schedule is subject to change at any time.