VIPASSANA or “insight meditation” is a practical method of self-awareness which makes it possible to encounter the tensions of daily life in a calm and balanced way. Vipassana trains us to be awake, noticing the moments of life with a compassionate heart. This practice has been handed down through the centuries from its origins in Theravadan Buddhism but as we practice it here, no special beliefs are involved. We learn from our own direct experiences. Except for instruction periods, dharma talks, group meetings, and some periods of structured dialogue, the Retreat is held in Silence, giving us an opportunity to move deeply into our own experiences and heart centers. This Silence is a highly valuable opportunity. We encourage each person to give the gift of Silence to others by making every effort to observe with spaciousness their impulses which lead to a break in Silence.

We deepen in the wisdom that the emotions and body sensations with which we have become so self-identified, are really just arising out of myriad conditions and passing away. If a storm comes during a picnic, we cannot stop the rain. It comes and it will pass. Our suffering, or not suffering depends on how we relate to the storm.  Just so with our emotions and physical body sensations. Awareness notes from a spacious perspective that fear, pain, sadness, or whatever has arisen. That which is aware of fear is not afraid. That which is aware of anger is not angry.  And yet, there is pain, fear, anger, sadness.  Aaron says, “It’s there, and it’s not there.”  We deepen in compassion for all humans who do experience such challenging expressions of our humanity. 

Compassion is supported by our darshan experiences with the Mother. She tells us she is a combination of many expression of the Divine Mother such as Mother Mary, Kwan Yin, and others, and that she expresses different aspects of herself depending on the needs of each person.

We have found that the combination of a silent Retreat with meditation and darshan with the Mother,* is a very powerful way of releasing long-held conditioned beliefs about the self and coming home to our true Buddha Nature/Christ Consciousness, our own deepest divinity. Mornings will include vipassana instruction and practice.