Meditation Retreat on Developing a Focused Mind and Open Heart When? 29th of June to 7th of July 2013 Where? Männiku Metsatalu in Central Estonia, 15 kilometers from Viljandi. http://www.metsatalu.ee/ - a beautiful and inspiring location Teacher? Glen Svensson Registration? Preferably before 31st of March Group size? Maximum 30 people Course language? English For whom? Anyone interested in learning methods for living a more peaceful, joyful, and successful life and willing to devote at least this week for learning about their minds. The course is open to those who do not know anything about Buddhism as well as to those who have learned previously about Buddhist Philosophy – anyone with an open mind will benefit Would you prefer to go about your life:
1. Being relaxed rather than being uptight and stressed? 2. Having a mind that is stable rather than a mind that is agitated and is not focused at will? 3. With a clear mind rather than a dull mind constantly needing stimulation? 4. Being caring, kind, loving rather than being bitter, nasty, self-centered? 5. With compassion rather than with resentment and ill will? 6. Being empathetic rather than being aloof and indifferent? 7. Having an equally open heart not oscillating between attachment and aversion? How does having a focused mind and an open heart benefit our lives? Spiritual practice, relationships with kids, friends, partner, colleagues, and all meaningful endeavours in our lives benefit from sustained attention. Can everyone develop these virtuous qualities? With 2,500 years of experience, the Buddhist tradition says clearly yes. Each one of us can cultivate a mind endowed with ease, stability, clarity and develop loving, compassionate, empathetic, equanimous attitudes for relating to oneself and to the world at large. What is the course about? Shamatha is the practice of developing single-pointed concentration, developing a calm, clear and focused mind. This practice is essential if we are to subdue and heal our agitated and unruly mind, to become masters of our mind. We will supplement this with the practice of the Four Immeasurables. Shamatha practice becomes most effective if we combine it with opening our heart through the practice of loving-kindness, compassion, empathetic joy and equanimity. Over 9 days we will become familiar with/and practice various methods for shamatha and the Four Immeasurables meditations and learn how to develop an effective daily practice. The retreat is aimed to give us a great boost and confidence for developing our mind in our everyday life. General Schedule 05.45 – Wake up 06.15 – 06.35 – Seven Point Moving Meditation 06.45 – 07.30 – Concentration Meditation 07.30 –Breakfast 09.00 – 10.00 – Teaching Session and Meditation 10.00 – 10.30 – Break 10.30 – 11.45 – Teaching Session and Meditation 12.00 – lunch 14.00 – 15.00 – Teaching Session and Meditation 15.00 – 15.30 – Break 15.30 – 16.45 – Teaching Session and Meditation 16.45 – 17.15 – Break 17.15 – 18.00 – Guided Meditation 18.00 – dinner 19.30 – 20.15 – Guided Meditation 20.30 – 21.00 – Q&A session about Meditation Practice The first half of the retreat is planned to include teachings and meditations. The second half of the retreat is planned to be a meditation retreat with minimal teachings. Practicalities The course is run as a meditation retreat meaning that during the week there will be silence – both between the course participants and with the outside world. No phones, computers, internet, talking. The accommodation is in rooms with 2-3 people. Rooms have private bathroom. Men and women are in separate rooms. Delicious vegetarian food three times a day is offered. People should be dressed moderately and loosely so sitting would be comfortable. Intoxicants that cloud the mind are prohibited. The fee for the retreat is €325 that covers accommodation, food, meditation room, and the teacher’s flight to Estonia. Participants can leave a donation for the teacher. Limited number of single rooms is available for an extra fee. In case there is genuine interest to participate but financial problems inhibit, please contact the organizers. The retreat is not organized for profit but out of the organizers’ wish to share beneficial teachings with others. Recommended reading · "Attention Revolution (Unlocking the Power of the Focused Mind)" - B. Alan Wallace "The Four Immeasurables (Practices to Open the Heart)" - B. Alan Wallace "Genuine Happiness (Meditation as the Path to Fulfillment)" - B. Alan Wallace You can also listen to Glen’s 2-day Shamatha course at Tushita: http://goo.gl/27vqj A 2-day retreat with Alan Wallace: http://goo.gl/Smzm0 More teachings on Shamatha and Four Immeasurables from Alan Wallace: http://goo.gl/j5b9a Two month retreats led by Alan Wallace: http://goo.gl/iyvQv (except fall 2012 retreat) Registration and information: To register, please contact Teet Toome teettoome@yahoo.com Phone: +37258285869 Ideally register as soon as possible but before 31st of March!
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