Awakening Body, Speech, and Mind

Registration begins at 3:30 p.m. Dinner is at 6:00 p.m., first program begins at 7:30 p.m.

Calm the mind, open the heart, embrace the moment - sounds simple enough that we should be able to do it, right? The truth is, a deep wish for and cultivation of the paramitas – sublime qualities of being – are the only sure basis of all inner freedom and outer accomplishment. It is the quick path. 

In this retreat, we will be introduced to the attitudes, qualities, and actions that promote true contentment, acceptance of ourselves and others, and offer a capacity to be without fear and anxiety despite what may be happening around us. 

So during this retreat, our mindfulness meditations will be directed toward arousing and becoming joined with these perfections of character: determination, truthfulness, generosity, virtue, patience, renunciation, persistence (energy), goodwill, and equanimity, taking them back home in our hearts to perfect. 

Get ready to exhale!

Teacher Bio: 

The Venerable Pannavati Bhikkhuni (“Pannavati”) is the Spiritual Director of Flowering Lotus. She has taught numerous Flowering Lotus retreats over the past decade and is one of our most beloved and popular teachers. 

Pannavati is a Yogini, a former Christian Pastor, the Founding Co-Abbot of Embracing Simplicity Hermitage, and Founding Director of the Sisters of Compassionate Wisdom. She is ordained in the Theravada, Chan, and Mahayana traditions with Vajrayana empowerments and transmission from Roshi Bernie Glassman of Zen Peacemakers. American Buddhist Women magazine says that Pannavati is “a Theravada nun who deliberately walks the way of the bodhisattva.”

An international teacher who advocates on behalf of disempowered women and youth globally, and insists on equality and respect in Buddhist life for both female monastics and lay sangha — she is both contemplative and empowered for compassionate service. 

For additional information about this remarkable teacher and being, please refer to the volumes of talks, interviews, and articles about her, some of which are linked below.

Teacher Professional and Social Links:

Heartwood Refuge, retreat center and residential community founded by Pannavati in Hendersonville, NC: 

https://www.heartwoodrefuge.org/

Pannavati wins 2016 Global Bikkhuni Award, American Buddhist Women:**

https://americanbuddhistwomen.com/pannavati.html

Pannavati Dharma Talks on DharmaSeed:

https://dharmaseed.org/teacher/441/

Pannavati articles in Lion’s Roar:

https://www.lionsroar.com/author/venerable-pannavati/

Accommodations:

Standard accommodations are mini-dormitories - 8 single beds in a cabin, with shared bathroom and living area. Premium housing options are available at additional cost, to be paid at registration (see below). Bedlinens and towels are provided.

Optional accommodations are available as described below:

Premium Housing

Private Room (1 queen bed, bath)

Additional Cost: $150

Total Registration Fee: $200

Semi-Private Room (2 queen beds, shared bath)

Additional Cost: $125

Total Registration Fee: $175

Description of accessibility and accommodations for disabled and impaired guests:

Meditation Hall and Dining Hall are handicapped-accessible. Accessible rooms are available upon request.  

Food: 

The retreat includes five delicious vegetarian meals:

• Friday: Dinner
• Saturday: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
• Sunday: Breakfast

Please note any food allergies or dietary restrictions on the registration form.

If you have any questions or need additional information, please contact: 

Patsy St. Blanc

Registration Manager

patsyfl@yahoo.com

Registration and Release Info: 

$50 Registration Fee covers the cost of 5 vegetarian meals. It does not include any compensation to Flowering Lotus for standard lodging (dormitory), or for organizational and administrative costs. It does not include compensation to the teacher. Opportunities for dana (generosity) financial contributions to Flowering Lotus and the teacher will be available at the retreat.