Half-Day Meditation Retreat

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All levels of meditators welcomed!

This half-day meditation retreat is an opportunity to "just sit" and steep in mindfulness practice. The main practice will be sitting meditation known as shamatha or peaceful abiding. We will alternate periods of sitting with walking meditation and brief Dharma readings. This is an opportunity to deepen your meditation and be able to practice with a community of meditators. Deepening in mindfulness meditation is appropriate for beginners to experienced meditators.

Beginning meditation instruction available

If you are new to meditation or have questions you would like to ask a meditation instructor, we will provide meditation instruction apart from the main group. With meditation instruction we give detailed directions on both basic sitting meditation and a "zen-style" walking meditation technique. We will talk a little about the view and understanding of meditation as well as go over some "best practices". This will provide you a good foundation on which to base an ongoing, consistent meditation practice at home. You'll have the opportunity to ask any meditation questions you might have in this instruction period.

You are welcomed and encouraged to join the main group in the shrine room afterwards.

Midsummer’s Day marks the summer solstice and is one of our four nyida days. These Shambhala holidays honor our connection with the seasonal rhythms of the earth. As the longest day of the year, Midsummer's Day invites us to gather as a community and appreciate the richness that comes with the longer days. There is something both joyful and grounding in recognizing the passing of the seasons together.

From sitting meditation in the morning, we’ll move outdoors to enjoy a barbecue on the lawn. We'll continue with kite flying after lunch—an opportunity to play and show off your own kite if you have one. Please bring it along. Come ready to enjoy the simple pleasures of being outdoors, taking in the sky and warm weather, and enjoying each other's company.

• 8:45: Arrive at Karmê Chöling and settle in
• 9:00 - 9:30 Beginning Meditation Instruction in an instruction room
  OR
• 9:00 – 12:30 Community meditation practice in the shrine room. You don't need to stay for the entire period but can leave if you need to during the walking periods.
  
  These morning sessions will include:
  • Opening chants
  • Mindfulness meditation sitting practice
  • Walking meditation
  • Selected readings
• 12:30 – 1:00 pm Lunch (by donation of $15) This is a great time to socialize and get to know the group of people you've been practicing with!
• 1:00 – 3:00 pm Kite flying - bring your kite and any extras you are willing to share!

This program is offered free but we do need you to register

Registration is needed so we can anticipate how many will be here, the number of people who will need instruction, who will stay for lunch and so on.

Donations
Donations to the teacher or the center are greatly appreciated. To give a donation you can visit KCL's donation page