The Middle Way Among Dualities: Like the Serpent's Tongue Unbitten

A wall painting at Buddhadasa Bhikkhu’s Garden of Liberation, Santikaro’s spiritual home, shows a meditator sitting peacefully in a huge serpent’s mouth. This image challenges us to find our way of living balanced and relaxed among the many dangerous fangs of the world.

The many pairs of opposites, whether seeming positive or negative, are creations of perception and opinion that can lead away from the Middle Way of Non-Suffering. Pursuing them knocks us off course.

To avoid the fangs of duality, the practice of kindness, ethics, composure, insight, and equanimity allows us to live with peaceful balance rather than driven by our likes and dislikes. Journeying the path of understanding, insight, and non-clinging, we find joy, serenity, and composure right here in this present reality, no matter how difficult or exciting.

This retreat will explore these themes within noble silence, friendly sangha, sitting and walking meditation, and mindful living.

The retreat is suitable for beginner and advanced practitioners alike.

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 November 14, and end on Sunday, November 17 at 1pm. 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.

Read more about Kevala Retreat at www.kevalaretreat.org

Registration Fees

The cost for this residential retreat is as follows:

Single room: $450

Shared room: $400

Commuter: $300

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

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 for those who test positive for COVID within 10 days prior to the retreat.

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 Jason Bartlett 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 here.

COVID Policy

Masks will be required for the duration of the retreat in public areas (except the dining hall), due to Santikaro's medical condition. If there are any changes, we will update you.

Retreatants are expected to take great care with the health and well-being of everyone on the retreat. We strongly recommend retreatants to be vaccinated. 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.

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

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