A Meaningful Life: Discovering a Deeper Sense of Purpose Towards a Life Worth Living
This is an in-person retreat appropriate for both new and experienced practitioners.
The Buddha taught that nothing is fixed or permanent and that change is always possible; that the primary purpose of life is to end unnecessary suffering. We suffer from striving for the temporary relief of addictive pleasures or achievements that provide only fleeting feelings of superiority, rather than pursuing a deeper sense of contentment through endeavors that are creative, beneficial and harmless to other beings.
In this retreat we will practice with an emphasis towards connecting with wholesome desires, what the Buddha called “chanda,” discerning between this life-affirming motivation and “tanha,” the unquenchable thirst for short term pleasures. We will connect with both internal sources of wisdom and external support to attain worthy goals. Our self-actualization in turn becomes a gift to ourselves and those around us. The retreat includes teachings on the dharma and contemporary psychological therapies, silent sittings, walking meditations in nature, interactions with teachers, experiential exercises, interpersonal dialogues.
Practices will include:
• Letting go of old internalized sources of shame and guilt
• Learning about wholesome desire and practices to orient towards it
• Connecting with internal sources of wisdom for guidance and self-care
• Training the mind toward wholesome states of being, particularly through lovingkindness, compassion, appreciation and equanimity practices
• Authentic, mindful dialogue with others to build support and self-awareness
• The power of setting intentions
• The joys of returning to simplicity.
To attend this retreat or event all guests, teachers and staff are required to be fully vaccinated for Covid-19* including any eligible boosters.
We will continue to follow any COVID-19 guidelines set forth by our local officials, NYS and the CDC.
For those with a medical exemption with documentation from a doctor, we require a negative Covid-19 test taken within 72 hours of arrival as well as a personal quarantine for 72 hours before arriving on site.
(per Garrison Institute’s Website)