Cultivating Compassion and Serenity on the Path to Wisdom

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

 

Developing compassion is the basis for inner peace, happiness and spiritual growth. We begin by practicing Ahimsa, a Sanskrit word which refers to “doing no harm to any living being” (sometimes translated as non-violence), through the cultivation of kind words, kind thoughts and kind actions towards oneself and others. Once we experience the interconnectedness of all living beings, the seed of compassion opens and our heart becomes more spacious.

A compassionate heart forms the basis for developing the  deep meditative states known as jhana, which refers to the profound serenity that arises from cultivating stillness. This stillness allows for the direct experience of the luminosity that is at the core of one’s heart and mind.

Join us for a weekend of silent and guided meditation, teaching and instruction, and a time for question and answers. This is a precious time for self-healing, inner growth and nurturance in a supportive and swarm environment. The retreat is suitable for newcomers and experienced students. 

Teacher Bio: 

Dawn Barie is a meditation and Dharma teacher, and a licensed psychotherapist practicing in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania. She is the founder of the Center for Mindful Living in Lewisburg.

Dawn traveled to Thailand in 1997 and immersed herself in meditation practice with Buddhist monks at The Middle Way Meditation Institute. She has traveled through South and Southeast Asia and has experience in the Theravada, Mahayana and Tibetan traditions.  Dawn primarily teaches the tradition of Luang Pu Sodh Candasaro (1885-1959) of Thailand. She became the first western lay woman ever granted permission to teach the Middle Way Meditation tradition, and was given the Pali name, Dhammadhida. Dawn also received a scholarship from the Thai Dhammachai International Research Institute to pursue graduate studies in Buddhism at the University of Sydney, Australia, with the goal of teaching the Dharma in the West. She uses her training in meditation to provide mindfulness-based therapies in her psychotherapy practice.  

Dawn has led national and international meditation retreats, workshops and courses in cities across the U.S. in a variety of settings – including clinics, wellness centers, educational institutions and corporations – and has also taught at the United Nations. 

Dawn regularly teaches classes and leads retreats at the Meditation Center of Alabama. She first taught at Flowering Lotus in 2019, when her powerful message and presence had a profound impact on its participants. We are honored to welcome this extraordinary teacher to a return engagement with the Flowering Lotus sangha.

Teacher Professional and Social Links:

For additional information on Dawn’s background, training, and how she incorporates her meditation training in her psychotherapy practice, please visit https://www.center-for-mindfulliving.com/. 

Accommodation type & Registration fees:

Kelley Retreat Center at St. Augustine Theological Seminary: Hotel-style rooms. Each room has 2 full-size beds, full bathroom, and a small sitting/desk area. All bedlinens, towels and hotel-standard toiletries are furnished. 

• Double Occupancy - $150
• Private Room (Single Occupancy) -  $190

Description of accessibility and accommodations for disabled and impaired guests:

Meditation Hall and Dining Hall are handicapped-accessible. Handicap-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:

NOTE: Your Registration Fee covers the cost of 5 vegetarian meals plus the base cost of weekend lodging, based on your selected housing option. It does not include a dana contribution to Flowering Lotus or the teacher; opportunities for dana gifts will be available at the end of the retreat.