Insight Retreat - Kusala and Instant Presence
21st (eve) – 28th (2pm) March
£280
The
practice of Insight means ‘looking deeply‘ with a vividly awake
mind.
To be able to ‘look deeply’ we first need to be in a state of calm,
kusala. Kusala, a Pali word, literally means a good room, a conducive space
in which we feel able to move, to inquire, to explore and grow.
Kusala is the cultivation of gentleness, of playfulness leading to a mind filled
with curiosity, a vividly awake mind.
Having established a calm mind then we wake it up by ‘looking deeply’ at
our choosing and avoiding. Just ‘looking deeply’, not trying to fix
it, to change it, to justify it. Like a benevolent witness we simply look at
the arising and dissolving of the movements of our mind. So simple, so kind and
so wise!
When the choosing and avoiding have calmed down, we are at ease, relaxed, then only then, the mind rests in its natural state, luminous, awake and free from distractions and clingings. It is not something that we practice that is why it is called Instant Presence. It is always present day and night only our choosing and avoiding obscure its manifestation.
Costs include accommodation and course fee. Participants need to bring food to share and dana for the teacher
DANA
In the tradition of the Buddha, Dharma teaching is given freely.
The
course fees for the meditation retreats cover organising the retreats,
running costs of the centre, accommodation and rental of Maitreya House/Cwm
Cottage,
At the end of each retreat students are invited to give dana to the teachers
for their guidance, time and availability.
Dana is a Pali word meaning "generosity, offering" and is one of
the virtues that supports the letting go and the loosening of "self".
Dana reflects the value you place on the teaching and appreciation for
the guidance of the teacher, the joy of giving and what is realistic
for you. Each participant arrives at the amount voluntarily.There will
be a talk on the practice of dana during each course.
How to Book
