Kindness- In Person Retreat with Santikaro

Kindness runs through all Buddhist practice and teaching. Kindness is core to the character of persons of decency and integrity. Kindness is an essential ingredient in the harmony of groups, communities, and organizations. Kindness is the first of the divine abidings and the Metta Sutta offers the ideal of kindness for all beings. Kindness fosters wisdom and is inseparable from compassion.

This retreat will explore the ways kindness is integral to our practice and how we may foster kindness in meditation and our way of life. We will spend 4 days with noble silence, friendly sangha, sitting and walking meditation, and the friendly confines of The Port.

Retreat Location and Details

This retreat will be held at the Portiuncula Center for Prayer in Frankfort, IL.

The retreat will begin at 11am on Thursday October 23rd, and end on Sunday, October 26th at noon. Participants are welcome to stay for lunch at noon. Bring your own cushion/benches, yoga mats; chairs will be provided.

About Santikaro

Santikaro studied with Ajahn Buddhadasa during the last nine years of his life, became his primary translator, and continues to share his "naturalist" approach to Buddha-Dhamma. Ordained as a Theravada Bhikkhu in 1985, Santikaro spent most of his monastic life at Suan Mokkh (southern Thailand). During this time, he led Dawn Kiam, a small monastic community for foreigners and was active among socially engaged Buddhists in Asia. He returned to the USA in 2000 and left monastic life in 2004 to found Kevala Retreat (then Liberation Park). His understanding of life has been enhanced by the Enneagram, feminism, cancer recovery, and trauma healing. He continues to teach nationally and internationally, and to translate the work of his teacher. He teaches Buddhism and meditation with an emphasis on the early Pali sources. He has led meditation retreats for more than thirty-five years, with a special fondness for mindfulness with breathing.

Registration Fees

The cost for this residential retreat is as follows:

Single room: $450

Shared room: $400

Commuter: $350

Partial scholarships may be available for those who cannot afford the full fees. Contact [email protected] for information.

Health Policy

Retreatants are expected to take great care with the health and well-being of everyone on the retreat. In the spirit of non-harming, please do not attend if you are ill. In case of illness, exceptions will be made to cancellation fees.

Cancellation Policy

Cancellations up to 30 days before the retreat will be subject to a $100 cancellation fee. No refunds will be given within 30 days of the start of the retreat unless a participant can be found to take your place. Eventbrite fees are not refundable. An exception will be made on a case by case basis for illness.

Reciprocal Support-Dana

In addition to the registration fee, teacher dana, “generosity,” is traditionally offered to the teacher at the end of the retreat. The Buddha’s teachings, sanghas of training and practice, places of practice, and practice resources involve the hard work of many people, technical skills, financial generosity, and an overall spirit of reciprocal service. As a participant in this retreat, in addition to the registration payment, we ask you to support Santikaro in ways suitable to your means and abilities. The kindness of others has made this retreat possible; your help ensures that such activities continue. You can learn more about the practice of generosity .

Questions? Contact us at: [email protected]

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Portiuncula Center for Prayer, 9263 W. St. Francis Road, Frankfort, United States