About the Event

Compassion, or karuṇā, is the intentional practice of meeting pain with love. The Buddha taught that we will all be faced with life’s inevitable sorrows. Through the cultivational of compassion meditation we are able to develop a heart which is unconditionally nurturing, even in the presence of suffering.

 

In retreat, through sustained meditation practice, we will soften the protective layers which keep us estranged from our own authentic hearts and embrace the fullness of our internal experience. Meditation is the vehicle through which we develop the clarity and kindness needed to accept more fully the pleasure and pain, fear and joy, sadness and happiness that life inevitably brings.

In this retreat, we will focus on the specific meditation practice: Compassion.
It is suitable for both beginning and experienced meditators.

 

This retreat will be held in noble silence, with designated times for group interviews to support your practice. There will be daily periods of meditation instructions and Dharma talks offered by the teachers, as well as silent sitting and walking meditation periods with community.

 

Your room will be provided, and you will enjoy three vegetarian freshly prepared meals daily. 

 

*When budgeting for the cost of this retreat please also consider that we ask you to contribute dana to teachers at the conclusion of the event.

 

Teacher Bios

 

Rev. Mikey Noechel, MS
Mikey Noechel is the guiding teacher and co-director of Wild Heart Meditation Center in Nashville, TN. Mikey is a Buddhist teacher who has been empowered to teach in both Theravada and Mahayana traditions through the authorization of Ven. Pannavati Bhikkhuni and Ven. Pannadipa Bhikkhu. Mikey also holds a master’s degree in Counseling Psychology. He integrates these two worlds: the old school Buddhist teachings with new school psychology, in a way to help individuals free themselves from suffering of all kinds. Mikey regularly brings Buddhist meditation into treatment centers, jails, and a variety of settings. 

 

Andrew Chapman, LMSW
Andrew Chapman is the founding teacher of Wild Heart Meditation Center in Nashville, TN.  He teaches weekly groups, intensive Buddhist study programs and trainings, and meditation retreats. Andrew is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with a psychotherapy practice and also provides training and lectures for students and professionals in the fields of education and mental health.
Andrew has had extensive training in both the Thai Forest; Burmese methods of practice. He is authorized to teach in the Buddhist lineage through Spirit Rock Meditation Center in Woodacre, California.

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Schedule

Thursday, July 6th    

3:00-5:00 Arrival & Sign-In

5:30 Orientation (please all attend outside of dining hall)

6:00 Supper 

7:30 Meditation/Opening Talk

9:30 End of Day

10:00 Lights Out

 

Friday - Saturday, July 7th & 8th   

6:30 Wake-up Bell (ring wake-up bell 10 mins beforehand)

7:00 Sitting Meditation

7:30 Breakfast

8:15-9:30 Work Meditation  

9:30 Morning Instruction (all attend) 

 11:00 Walking Meditation

11:30 Sitting Meditation 

 12:00 Walking Meditation

12:30 Lunch

1:15 – 2:00 Work Meditation

2:00 Sitting

2:30 Walking Meditation / Movement (optional)

3:15 Afternoon Instructions 

4:15 Walking Meditation

4:45 Sitting Meditation

5:30 Walking Meditation

6:00 Supper 

6:45 – 7:30 Work meditation

7:30  Dharma Talk

8:30 Walking Meditation

9:00  Sitting Meditation 

10:00 Lights Out

 

Sunday, July 9th  

6:30 Wake-up Bell (ring wake-up bell 10 mins beforehand)

7:00 Sitting Meditation

7:30 Breakfast

8:30-9:30 Work meditation

9:30 – 10:00 Packing & Cleaning

10:00 Closing (all attend)

11:30   End of Retreat

 

More Information

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

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