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Peace Within The Wild Heart

A 5-day Silent Meditation Retreat 

 

Thursday September 1st- Monday September 5th

(Labor Day Weekend)

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William J. Kelley Retreat Center

510 North 2nd Street  

Bay Saint Louis, Mississippi 39520

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Andrew Chapman, LMSW

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Rev. Mikey Noechel, MS

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Rev. Marika Maypop

About the Event

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We walk the Buddhist path with a destination in mind: Awakening.

Rather than arriving at this destination through intellectual knowledge, religious beliefs, or by having special access to an esoteric teaching, the Buddha offers a simple, but subtle, practice of meditation.

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In meditation, we cultivate an intimate awareness of the wilderness that exists within our body, heart, and mind. With loving awareness, we can develop an openness to the ever-changing feelings, thoughts, emotions, stories, and characters that live within us.

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So much of our ordinary lives we try to fit ourselves into the schedules, likeness, and demands of the world around us, only to become disconnect from ourselves and overwhelmed by the pressure.

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In retreat, through careful and sustained mindfulness, we experience for ourselves the flow of the mind-body process. Meditation is the vehicle through which we develop the clarity and compassion needed to accept more fully the pleasure and pain, fear and joy, sadness and happiness that life inevitably brings. As insight deepens, we develop greater equanimity and peace in the face of change—we develop a capacity to meet each arising and passing moment with a deep abiding curiosity, compassion, and wisdom.

 

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.

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This retreat is suitable for both beginning and experienced meditators.

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Location

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This in-person/on land retreat will take place at:

William J. Kelley Retreat Center

510 N 2nd St, Bay St Louis, MS 39520

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We will be offering many options to attend this retreat as we know so many people are ready for an opportunity to practice in a retreat setting.

 

Double occupancy residential rooms are available on site, someone who is local or would prefer a short term rental or hotel for lodging can attend as a commuter. 

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Please look at our newly updated COVID policy. We ask anyone who attends to test negative for COVID-19 upon arrival. We will test on entry.

 

During this weekend retreat you will be sharing in the wisdom of many teachers, have the chance to practice meditation with like minded people from various places, your room will be provided and you will enjoy vegetarian freshly prepared meals. 

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Pricing

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In order to allow for more students to attend we are offering shared rooms with meals for $515 (this pays for accommodations and meals). The commuter option for $289, this is to attend all meals and sessions but staying off-site.

 

*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.

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*Dana is a Pali word that is generally translated as “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.

 

DANA- DONATIONS TO THE TEACHERS 

There will be an opportunity to financially support the teachers of this retreat (Mikey, Andrew & Marika) towards the end of our time together. None of the retreat cost will go to the teachers, therefore it is helpful to consider whether you would be able to make an offering to support their livelihood at the end of the retreat. 

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Work Meditation

Everyone who attends will be assigned a daily work meditation to help our retreat flow smoothly, this is usually light cleaning, dishes, sanitizing, food prep tasks and straightening up. Since we are a mobile sangha we also require assistance at the beginning and at the end of the retreat. Please consider coming early to set up or staying late to pack up.

 

WHAT TO EXPECT
This meditation retreat will be 5 days in a silent, yet supportive environment. Noble silence will begin Thursday evening and end Monday morning. There will be periods of sitting meditation, walking meditation and periods of movement which will be supported by 3 instructional talks a day from the teachers. There will be time for group interviews with the teachers as well as time for questions. The cost of the retreat includes 3 meals a day as a well as the facilities and room.
Registration for the retreat will be between 3-5pm on Thursday 9/1. In order to uphold a supportive community, please plan to stay the length of the entire retreat. We will be departing around lunch time on Labor Day, 9/5.
 

ABOUT THE TEACHERS

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Andrew Chapman, LMSW

Andrew Chapman is the co-director & guiding teacher at 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.

 

Rev. Mikey Noechel, MS

Mikey Noechel 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 is a teacher at Wild Heart Meditation Center in Nashville, TN and he regularly brings Buddhist meditation into treatment centers, jails, and a variety of settings. 

 

Rev. Marika Maypop

Marika Maypop is a counselor, bodyworker, autonomist organizer, and Buddhist teacher empowered in the Theravada and Mahayana traditions. Marika has practiced in the Theravada tradition for twelve years, receiving training from Venerable Pannavati, Venerable Pannadipa, and Fleet Maull. Based in New Orleans, LA, Marika has been co-leading New Orleans Insight for six years and has brought Buddhist teachings into Louisiana jails and prisons, probation and parole programs, hospices, and addiction treatment centers. Marika understands the dharma as a vehicle for greater embodiment, deepened intimacy, and ethical action towards the liberation of all beings without exception. 

 

WILD HEART WEBSITE AND SOCIAL:

Website: WildHeartMeditationCenter.Org

Facebook: facebook.com/WildHeartNashville

Instagram: @WildHeartNashville 

Podcast: https://wildheartmeditationcenter.simplecast.com

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More Information

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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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