Faith & Intuition: Approaching Inner Knowledge through Bhakti (Devotion) & Magga (Pathwork) w/ Ven. Pannavati Bhikkhuni

Faith is that which both focuses the practitioner's mind and fuels the heart to reach a heightened quality. It opens the way for direct guidance in  how to lead a life of charity, virtue, skillful effort, and purpose.

Einstein said we've been given two gifts: rationality and intuition, and that the first should serve the second, because only from intuition do we derive our values. The Buddha said that true spiritual attainment cannot be apprehended by mere reasoning alone.  It requires the agency of faith, not merely blind devotion nor commitment to a set of "spiritual" principles or mental methods.

Do you find yourself striving, and achieving little result? We will examine the Buddhist principles of saddha1 and pasada2 and how they relate to the path of realization as the foundation and basis for higher spiritual training.

Teacher Bio

Ven. Dr. Pannavati, a former Christian pastor, is co-founder and co-Abbot of Embracing Simplicity Hermitage and Co-Director of Heartwood Refuge and Retreat Center,  an intentional community, and residential retreat center in Hendersonville, NC. She is president of the Treasure Human Life Foundation. A black, female Buddhist monk ordained in the Theravada and Chan traditions, Venerable continues Vajrayana empowerments and teachings with Rinpoche Zhaxi Zhouma and received transmission from Roshi Bernie Glassman of Zen Peacemaker. 

Venerable Pannavati is both contemplative and empowered for compassionate service. She conducts retreats nationally each year that are embedded in the Dharma, sharing living truths that are deep, yet accessible and profound.  She advises the cultivation of both wisdom and compassionate action. Venerable believes it is fine to sit in temples and meditate and pray when things are good; when they are not, we are compelled to get off our pillows and do something. Let our actions line up with our intentions.

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.

Website & Links

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

www.heartwoodrefuge.org

Social Media:

• facebook.com/heartwoodrefuge
• youtube.com/channel/UCoT00q8e-NXiWMBa8G3Dxcw
• instagram.com/heartwoodrefuge
• twitter.com/heartwoodrefuge
• linkedin.com/company/heartwood-refuge

Pannavati Dharma Talks on DharmaSeed:

dharmaseed.org/teacher/441

Pannavati articles in Lion’s Roar:

lionsroar.com/author/venerable-pannavati

“Finding True Refuge” interview with Tara Brach (YouTube video)

Pannavati wins 2016 Global Bikkhuni Award, American Buddhist Women

Retreat Information

Because each of our personal situations is unique, our ability to participate in an online retreat from home will vary. For someone who is employed outside the home and has children and family at home, it might not be possible to participate in every session of the weekend’s schedule. There will be ample opportunities throughout the retreat for participants to take a break for personal needs.

If you have questions or need additional information about this retreat or other Flowering Lotus program offerings, please contact:

Beth Herzig, Retreat Director

floweringlotusms@gmail.com

601-918-8510

Ticket Prices

We ask that you support Flowering Lotus and those whose needs are greater  by registering at the highest level ($75, $50, $25) with which you’re comfortable.

All are welcome to participate, regardless of ability to pay. If you are unable to pay the minimum $25 registration, select “Scholarship”, and no payment will be required.

There will be an opportunity to make a dana* contribution in any amount, to Flowering Lotus and the teachers at the online event. Your generosity is a gift that supports not just the teacher; but also the Sangha (Flowering Lotus); the larger Dharma community; and, most importantly, your own practice.

Dana contributions to Ven. Pannavati should be made to Heartwood Refuge Retreat Center:

Website: heartwoodrefuge.org/donate

Venmo: @heartwood-refuge

PayPal: paypal.me/HeartwoodRefuge

Your contributions are tax-deductible in accordance with Section 501(C)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Checks may be mailed to Heartwood Refuge Center at 159 Osceola Rd, Hendersonville, NC 28739. Please note that your gift is being made in connection with the Flowering Lotus retreat.

*Dana is a Pali word that is generally translated “generosity.”  We are taught to practice dana, or generosity, by making monetary offerings for the teachings. Dana is not payment for services rendered – it is given from the heart. Dana is the first theme in the Buddha’s system of gradual training and the first of the three grounds for meritorious action.