A Deeper Harmony: a somatic and energetic approach to finding harmony in body and mind
Led by Padmadharini
This Week-Long meditation retreat is for practitioners wishing to go deeper in their practice of meditation and insight.
The Triratna system of practice provides a clear and comprehensive model that lays out practical ways we progressively move towards deeper peace and insight. Each stage contains essential developmental imperatives that support the arising of peace and harmony. We can approach each as a stage on a journey, and we can consider that each of these elements can be explored and received moment-to-moment.
The system of practice points to the deeper need to be receptive and to let go. During the retreat, you will be guided through somatic and energy-based meditations and inquiry that draw on your deepest capacity to be open and receptive. We’ll begin by becoming familiar and learning to trust the energy of harmony and ease. You’ll then be guided to explore and say ‘yes’ to challenging psychic and emotional energies in order to integrate those energies. Once integrated, we can include the positive flow of energy that is always available.
The retreat will be highly experiential and invite you to immerse yourself in somatic and energetic experience that opens a door to the unknowable, mysterious realm of the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas.
Padmadharini is a courageous and dedicated meditation practitioner. She has attended around 3 years of cumulative meditation retreats during which she has tried out various approaches to insight. She is trained and educated in modalities that support going deeper in meditation. This includes her training as a Chaplain, training as a coach, training in mindfulness courses and in focusing and somatic work.
The Gift of Silence
The retreat will be mostly silent except for teachings, meditation reviews and mindful communication. It's a rare chance to take a break from making conversation and to see what happens when we really let ourselves be. We will provide an emergency number so that you do not need to check your phone. If you don't feel comfortable putting your device/s aside please consider not attending.
Health and Safety
We will require everyone to be fully vaccinated, and to take reasonable precautions to protect against infection in the days leading up to the retreat. Please check all our requirements here.
If you consider yourself at increased risk you should not attend.
We recommend that you don't travel long distance since there is always the risk of cancelation or illness in these uncertain times, but if you do, please be sure you have refundable tickets and/or a back-up place to stay.
Food and Work Periods
All food is vegan, with eggs and dairy options on the side. To simplify cooking and cleaning in silence we have a cook to organize lunch and dinner, and everyone on the retreat chooses a task that they can do every day - either preparing breakfast, chopping vegetables, or cleaning dishes. If you have a preference please let us know in advance. There is also a clean up session that we all share at the end of the retreat.
Free Time
There will be plenty of free time to hike or stroll around the area or relax.
Meditation Experience
This retreat is for people who have a good amount of meditation experience, and have attended at least one silent retreat. If you're not sure please feel free to email us.
Dharmadhara
Is a rustic residence with a very beautiful shrine room, located in Lake County – about 2.5 to 3 hours North of San Francisco. The main building has a kitchen, dining room, sitting room with wood burning stove, 7 small dorms, some with 2 beds, some with 3 beds, 3 indoor toilets and 2 showers. There are no private rooms. If you do not feel comfortable sharing a room with others we may be able to find space in the living room or shrine room, depending on numbers attending, so please get in touch about this before you register. There is also the option to camp, although it will be cold, and possibly raining or snowing.
Travel and Carpooling
If you need help organizing a ride please let us know and we will do our best to get you there. If you are driving and can offer rides, please also let us know. Thank you!
I'm sorry that we cannot arrange airport or train station pickups. (See health and safety above.
Timing
The retreat is eight nights, beginning 5pm Saturday Dec 24, and ending Sunday Jan 1 at noon.
Registration and Payment
To register enter the amount you wish to donate in the Event Donation box and click add to cart. You can pay in full now ($550 to $700), or reserve your place with a $200 deposit. In the event that we need to cancel we will refund all payments.
Please pay the highest amount you are able within the range of $550 to $750. This helps us to cover the cost of the retreat leader, the cook, and others needing help with costs.
If you need to request a rate lower than $550 please email us at info@sfbuddhistcenter.org and we will do what we can.
When you get to the checkout you will have the choice to pay now through paypal/credit card, or pay later. (If you click pay now and don't actually pay now, your registration won't go through - contact us if you have any problems.) Checks are payable to San Francisco Buddhist Center - Triratna.
Weekend option
If you cannot stay for the full week there may be the option to leave on Monday 26, depending on numbers. Send us an email for more information or to be on the waiting list. It's likely to be quite cold but if you are prepared to camp and/or can drive please let us know in your email as that may make a difference to whether we can accommodate you.