Thanks Giving Meditation

Thanksgiving is traditionally a time to appreciate the good things we have in life and be grateful for what makes them possible. But the celebration of Thanksgiving sometimes shift from its original purpose. Amidst the feasting and festivities, the true essence of appreciation and gratitude can easily be overlooked. Our Thanks Giving Retreat aims to realign with the foundational values of the holiday and provide an opportunity to explore and experience what it means to give thanks.

Contemplative Practice
At the core of our retreat is the practice of sitting meditation. While we won't engage in a completely silent retreat, there will be ample time spent in-silence. This time will allow participants to immerse themselves in stillness, fostering an environment of quiet reflection where mindfulness can flourish. By slowing down, we create opportunities to connect with our inner selves, explore our thoughts and feelings, and cultivate a deeper awareness of the present moment. Participants will be encouraged to integrate mindfulness into their daily activities, heightening their sensitivity to the world around them.

Community Building
With mindfulness and awareness comes a heightened sense of connection to those around us. During the retreat, we will focus on creating a welcoming environment together, one of belonging and camaraderie. Through conversations and shared experiences and holding space for each other, we will develop a sense of community during our retreat.

Connection
Through meditation and contemplation participants will be able to reflect on their own personal experiences of appreciation and gratitude. This not only facilitates each individual's self-discovery but in conversation inspires others around them to recognize the abundance in their lives. This kind of meaningful dialogue is one of the richest values of community. Karmê Chöling, which sits on 500 acres of rural Vermont forest land, also offers an opportunity to connect with the natural world. Engaging with the wildness of the weather, elements and wildlife can offer a sense of grounding and connection to the broader world.

In essence, our Thanks Giving Retreat is designed to help participants step away from the more superficial celebrations of this holiday and immerse themselves in a journey of appreciation and gratitude. By engaging in contemplative practices, fostering community, and exploring our connections to each other and the natural world, we hope to cultivate a deeper understanding of what it truly means to give thanks.

• New meditators - receive meditation instruction from seasoned teachers in a supportive environment
• Experienced meditators - deepen your practice in a rich and gentle space

• Introductions & Sharing Circle
• Meditation Instructions
• Sitting Meditation
• Contemplations
• Walking Meditation
• Functional Silence & Reflections
• Contemplative Work Periods
• Thanksgiving Dinner, Discussion, & Conversation
  
  

• 7:00am Early Morning Practice Session
• 8:00am Contemplative One-Bowl Breakfast
• 9:00am Morning Practice Session
• 12:30pm Contemplative One-Bowl Lunch
• 1:30pm Work Period
• 3:00pm Meditation
• 4:00pm Tea Break
• 4:30pm Late Afternoon Practice Session
• 6:00pm Contemplative One-Bowl Dinner
• 7:00pm Evening Practice Session
• 9:00pm End of Day
  
  

Please plan to arrive between 3 and 6 p.m. EDT, on your arrival day of Saturday, November 23, 2024, in order to register and settle in for the program.
Dinner is served at 6:30 p.m.
The opening session will be at 7:30pm.
The program ends on Sunday, November 30th, at 12:30pm with a celebratory lunch afterwards.

If you would like to extend your stay at KCL in order to arrive earlier or depart later, contact KCL Guest Services at info@karmecholing.org

Free Tuition!
Register and pay your Karmê Chöling accommodations in full by November 18th and receive the tuition for free. You must stay at Karmê Chöling in order to receive this special offer!

Visit our Directions and Transportation page to see different options for traveling to Karmê Chöling including pick-up service from Hanover, Lebanon, White River Junction and Burlington to our front door.