About this Event
We would love for you to join us! This day retreat is for any meditator; for beginners struggling to tame a restless mind and for long-time meditators who want to deepen their concentration and insight. What we learn 'on the cushion' will support us in both spiritual and worldly success. As we practice mindfulness daily, all day long, we displace craving, aversion and delusion with natural awareness, clarity and wisdom.
The Buddha said, "I don't envision a single thing that, when untamed, leads to such great harm as the mind. The mind, when untamed, leads to great harm. I don't envision a single thing that, when tamed, leads to such great benefit as the mind. The mind, when tamed, leads to great benefit."
We will provide a tranquil, safe space to work with different meditation strategies that can become a part of your daily practice. Discussions will include intentions; replacing unskillful thoughts with skillful thoughts; and examining dangers of distracting thoughts. We'll also look at the questions we need to be asking ourselves.
This day retreat will consist of:
- Morning Tea and Snacks
- Meditation (Body Scan, Mindfulness, Walking, Loving Kindness, and Forgiveness)
- Lively group discussion
- Plenty of time for Q&A
- A traditional Sri Lankan Lunch will be eaten together in silence
More about Vimala: Vimala spent 14 years as a Buddhist nun and is a previous resident monastic at the Blue Lotus Temple. She has been a serious practitioner of Buddhism for decades. She now shares her wisdom and insight in how the Dharma can provide a perspective to assist us in approaching the upcoming years with greater wisdom and compassion for both ourselves and others.
More about Erin Denk: Erin is one of the original Sangha members, a long time Board member and frequent educator at the Blue Lotus Temple. She has worked closely with Vimala co-facilitating art and meditation classes, meditation workshops and grief retreats. She is interested in understanding and experiencing basic Buddhist principles and practices as pathways to creativity and healing. Erin retired in 2024 after 40 years as an art therapist. As a painter, she has shown her oil and cold wax abstract work throughout McHenry county. As a therapist and educator, she has spoken nationally on the relationship between creativity and healing. Erin is a mother, wife and very happy grandmother who has lived in Woodstock for 20 years.
Event Venue & Nearby Stays
Blue Lotus Buddhist Temple and Meditation Center, 221 Dean Street, Woodstock, United States
USD 79.74
