Embodying Love & Liberation: Taking Refuge in Silence and Stillness

As changemakers (artists, activists, educators, healers, caregivers, parents, or anyone who seeks love & liberation for all beings without exception), we can sometimes neglect our own care in service of the collective. Except we can’t, because all change starts from within. Or, as bell hooks said: If you’re f’ed up and you lead the revolution, you’re going to have an f’ed up revolution. We must first embody freedom in ourselves.

In this 4–night silent Insight Meditation retreat, we will explore the Buddha’s teachings of wisdom and compassion as pathways for love & liberation. The retreat will offer a nurturing container for practice and will include daily instructions, talks and meditation (sitting, walking, standing and lying down). The schedule is designed to allow you to delve deeply into the silence and stillness. As you care for your inner freedom, you can better serve the collective freedom.

We are committed to making this retreat accessible to different needs and abilities to the best of our capacities. Teacher compensation is not included in the price of the retreat. There will be an opportunity to offer dana/support for the teachers at the end. Please note that Menla has generously reduced their fees for this retreat and it may still be unaffordable to some. If you are able to pay more to help offset costs for others, please consider making that contribution as a practice of generosity.

Schedule

Wednesday, March 11th

• 3 – 8pm Check-in
• 6 – 7pm Dinner
• 7:30pm Opening Program

Thursday, March 12th

• 6:30am Wake Up Bell
• 7 – 7:30am Sitting Meditation
• 7:30 – 9am Breakfast
• 9 – 10am Sitting Meditation with Instruction + Q&A (All Attend)
• 10 – 10:45am Walking Meditation
• 10:45 – 11:15am Sitting Meditation
• 11:15am – 12pm Walking Meditation
• 12 – 1pm Lunch
• 2 – 3:15pm Sitting Meditation
• 3:15 – 4pm Walking Meditation
• 4 – 5pm Dharma Talk (All Attend)
• 5 – 5:30pm Walking Meditation
• 5:30 – 7pm Dinner
• 7 – 7:45pm Brahmaviharas (All Attend)
• 7:45 – 8:15pm Walking Meditation
• 8:15 – 8:45pm Sitting or Chanting
• 8:45 Further Practice or Rest

Friday, March 13th

• 6:30am Wake Up Bell
• 7 – 7:30am Sitting Meditation
• 7:30 – 9am Breakfast
• 9 – 10am Sitting Meditation with Instruction + Q&A (All Attend)
• 10 – 10:45am Walking Meditation
• 10:45 – 11:15am Sitting Meditation
• 11:15am – 12pm Walking Meditation
• 12 – 1pm Lunch
• 2 – 3:15pm Sitting Meditation
• 3:15 – 4pm Walking Meditation
• 4 – 5pm Dharma Talk (All Attend)
• 5 – 5:30pm Walking Meditation
• 5:30 – 7pm Dinner
• 7 – 7:45pm Brahmaviharas (All Attend)
• 7:45 – 8:15pm Walking Meditation
• 8:15 – 8:45pm Sitting or Chanting
• 8:45 Further Practice or Rest

Saturday, March 14th

• 6:30am Wake Up Bell
• 7 – 7:30am Sitting Meditation
• 7:30 – 9am Breakfast
• 9 – 10am Sitting Meditation with Instruction + Q&A (All Attend)
• 10 – 10:45am Walking Meditation
• 10:45 – 11:15am Sitting Meditation
• 11:15am – 12pm Walking Meditation
• 12 – 1pm Lunch
• 2 – 3:15pm Sitting Meditation
• 3:15 – 4pm Walking Meditation
• 4 – 5pm Dharma Talk (All Attend)
• 5 – 5:30pm Walking Meditation
• 5:30 – 7pm Dinner
• 7 – 7:45pm Brahmaviharas (All Attend)
• 7:45 – 8:15pm Walking Meditation
• 8:15 – 8:45pm Sitting or Chanting
• 8:45 Further Practice or Rest

Sunday, March 15th

• 6:30am Wake Up Bell
• 7 – 7:30am Sitting Meditation
• 7 – 11am Check-out of Rooms
• 7:30 – 9am Breakfast
• 9 – 10am Sitting Meditation with Instruction + Q&A (All Attend)
• 10 – 10:45am Walking Meditation
• 10:45 – 11:15am Sitting Meditation
• 11:15am – 12pm Walking Meditation
• 12 – 1pm Lunch & Departure