3rd Annual Lovingkindness Meditation Retreat

Join us for a weekend of Lovingkindness meditation instruction and practice. We will spend 3 days together learning lovingkindness mediation and directing it toward ourselves and others.  This practice allows us to shed old defenses and protective mechanisms, and come in contact with the full potential of the human heart.  We learn to explore ways to stay open even in the face of anger, resentment, and other difficult emotional states.  By opening our mind and heart and directing love toward ourselves and others we find that, far from making us more vulnerable, we become more confident and happier.  We discover a deep and unshakable sense of safety and refuge.

In a world where kindness and even civility often seem to be absent, cultivating this quality becomes more important than ever.  When we practice opening to our own loving mind and heart, we see that the most basic force in life is love.  It is the force that binds the world and motivates us moment to moment.  Please join us at this retreat as an act of kindness and generosity to yourself and to the world.

The retreat will be led by Stephanie Swann, PhD and Helen Vantine, PhD.

The day will consist of practicing lovingkindness through sitting meditation, walking meditation and yoga. There will also be free time for wandering the beautiful mountains of Elohee. In the evenings there will be talks related to the topic of lovingkindness.

**Please note that the retreat is held in noble silence. There are 2-3 hours of silent meditation practice in the morning and 2-3 hours of silent meditation in the afternoon. Although it is not necessary, participants who attend this retreat often find it helpful to have an established mindful meditation practice.

Cost

The cost of the program is $300.00. But, because we understand that everyone has different financial ability, tuition is on a sliding scale that allows participants to pay according to individual means.  Sustaining tuition is $300; mid tuition is $200; and base tuition is $100. Please choose your amount based on an earnest assessment of your financial ability.

At checkout, you will be asked for a discount code.  For sustaining tuition, no discount code is required.  For mid and base tuition, please enter the code mid200 or base100, respectively.

Arrival and Departure

Participants should arrive on Friday between 3pm and 5pm. Orientation will take place at 5:00PM in the meditation hall. Dinner will begin promptly at 6:00pm. Departure will be on Sunday at 1:00pm. Participants are expected to attend the entire retreat.

Meals

Three meals a day will be served during retreat. These meals will be vegetarian. Healthful snacks, coffee, and tea will be available throughout the day. This retreat is alcohol free.

What to bring

You will want to bring outdoor shoes for walking and hiking (optional). Indoor shoes, slippers, or socks are fine for inside the house. In the meditation hall slippers, socks or bare feet are permitted. Meditation cushions and mats as well as chairs will be available. You are welcome to bring your own meditation mat and cushion or bench if you like. Loose fitting clothes are best for meditation and yoga. You may want to bring clothing for outdoors as well. If the weather permits we will have an outdoor fire on Saturday evening for those who would like to participate.