December retreat announcement!!

Purpose: For beginners, this is the nature next step to deepen your meditation practice. For more experienced practitioners, this is an opportunity to sustain your practice and receive personal guidance from the teacher.

Date: December 7 & 8 (Friday & Saturday)

Location: American Bodhi Center

Fee: Free, donations welcome

Who: serious beginners & seasoned meditators

Registration: email uhabs8 @ gmail.com. Deadline November 21th, 2007.

Tentative schedule: (subject to change)

Day 1

• 2:00 pm Vanpool (meet up in front of Cougar Place). Note: you will be leaving your car overnight on UH campus.
• 3:30 pm arrive at ABC
• 3:30 – 5:00 welcome, settle in, introduction of basic rules
• 5:00 – 6:00 games
• 6:00 – 7:30 vegetarian BBQ or Hot Pot (depending on weather)
• 7:30 – 8:30 shower; break time
• 8:30 – 10:00 camp fire, star glazing or movie (depending on weather)
• 10:00 – 10:30 noble silence instruction
• 10:30 lights out
  

Day 2

• (observation of noble silence begins)
• 7:00 wake up bell
• 7:30 – 8:00 breakfast
• 8:00 - 8:30 break
• 8:30 – 8:50 meditation instruction
• 8:50 – 9:10 meditation
• ========= break ==========
• 9:20 – 10:00 meditation
• ========= break ==========
• 10:10 – 10:50 sitting meditation in the hall or waking meditation outside
• ========= break ==========
• 11:00 – 11:40 Dharma talk (lecture)
• (observation of noble silence ends)
• ========= break ==========
• 12:00 – 12:30 lunch
• 12:30 – 1:45 tour the center
• 1:45 – 2:00 break; exit survey
• 2:00 - 2:30 closing dharma talk; member reflection/sharing
• 2:30 – 3:15 clean up the environment
• 3:15 – 4:30 sweet home

Retreat Rules: (subject to change) 　

1. You have to stay for the entire retreat. No late arrival or early dismissal will be allowed.
2. Bring your own sleeping bag, pillows, change clothes and personal items necessary for personal hygiene.
3. Sleeping quarters are separated by male and female.
4. Vegetarian food throughout. Please do not bring any non-vegetarian items, cigarette, wine or illegal substance into the camp.
5. Please do not bring unnecessary valuables or jewelry.
6. Observe noble silence on Saturday morning. Noble Silence means silence of body, speech, and mind. Any form of communication with fellow student, whether by gestures, sign language, written notes, etc., is prohibited.
7. The use of cell phone is prohibited during the retreat period.
8. You have to fill out a registration form with medical insurance information. In addition, you will be asked to sign a consent and release form.