About the Event

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Within the Buddhist tradition of Vipassana (Insight), the four brahma viharas represent the most beautiful and hopeful aspects of our human nature. They are mindfulness practices that protect the mind from falling into habitual patterns of reactivity which belie our best intentions.

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Also referred to as mind liberating practices, they awaken powerful healing energies which brighten and lift the mind to increasing levels of clarity. As a result, the boundless states of loving-kindness, compassion, appreciative joy and equanimity manifest as forces of purification transforming the turbulent heart into a refuge of calm, focused awareness.

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In our first residential retreat in over two years we are thrilled to bring local sanghas together by inviting local teachers to fill this retreat with extensive wisdom and buddhist meditation experience.

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The teachers for this weekend are Kristie Grasis founder of Mississippi Insight Meditation, Rev. Christie Bates (Passatininna) founder of Deep South Dharma, Rebecca Kronlage of Treehouse Yoga, Jason Lee founder of Heart Space Holistic and Beth Herzig of Flowering Lotus Meditation and Take a Breath with Beth. Read teacher bios here.

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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.

 

Single and 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. We are also offering an online option, to attend via zoom.

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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 five vegetarian freshly prepared meals. Friday evening will end with Yoga Nidra and Saturday with a sound bath.

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Pricing

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We never want to turn anyone away for the inability to pay so are happy to offer many tiers of  pricing to participate in this retreat.

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*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.

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Work Meditation

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

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Schedule

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Time zone is CST

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Friday, June 17th

3:30-5:00 Arrival and Registration

6:00-7:15 Dinner

7:30-8:15 Opening Talk

8:15-8:45 Loving-kindness meditation with guided instruction

8:45-915 Yoga Nidra then Rest

 

Saturday, June 18th

6:30am Wake up

7:00-7:20 Sitting Meditation

7:30-8:45 Breakfast

8:45-9:30 Dharma Talk: Compassion

9:30-10:00 Guided Compassion meditation

10:00-10:45 Walking Meditation

10:45-11:00 Break

11:00-11:45 Dharma Talk: Empathetic Joy

11:45-12:15 Walking Meditation

12:15-1:00 Guided empathetic Joy Meditation

1-3:00 Lunch and Personal Time (rest)

3:00-3:30 Equanimity meditation with guided instruction

3:30-4:00 Walking meditation

4:00-4:45 Dharma Talk: Equanimity

4:45-5:00 Q&A

5:00-6:00 Personal Practice

6:00-7:15 Dinner

7:15-7:30 Dana Talk

7:30-8:30 Q&A

8:30-9:15 Sound Bath

 

Sunday, June 19th

6:00am Wake up

6:30-7:15 Sitting meditation with instruction

7:15-7:30 Break

7:30-8:15 Breakfast

8:15-9:15 Room and center clean-up (complete exit survey)

9:15-11:00 Sitting meditation/closing circle

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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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