|
Summer 2009 Retreat
Friends of the Heart is offering the following long retreat:
Retreats are held at Harmony Dawn Retreat Centre. Our retreatants say this about it: "Harmony Dawn is just about perfect, as a retreat centre!"
"Thank you, thank you thank you. I found this experience to be a wonderful gift." - Spring 2007 Lovingkindness retreatant
Comments on our Spring 2007 Lovingkindness retreat
"Despite having never meditated before, I felt very comfortable on this retreat with the instructions, guidance, and the teacher, who was very approachable and went out of her way to give me extra consideration."
"While I originally found the silence discomfiting, I eventually got used to it. Well done and well organized."
"The timing of the schedule was impeccable. Stillness and activity felt perfectly balanced."

Summer 2009
July 17 to 24 at Harmony Dawn
A Seven Day Retreat on the Bardo States, including Powa Instruction with Catherine Jetsun Yeshe
One of the most valuable teachings within Vajrayana (Tibetan) Buddhism is the deep teaching on death and re-birth. Learning how to die with clarity and compassion is a jewel we all should wish for. This retreat will outline all the steps we can take to achieve this. Although beginning meditators will be considered for admission, participants should be familiar with general Tibetan Buddhist practice. Art supplies should be brought. Deep silence will be necessary for the work, in order to do dream yoga. Personal interviews will take place only at the end of the retreat. WEEKEND OPTION Those wishing to attend only the first weekend will not receive instruction in Powa practice. (Transference of Consciousness). They will receive a general introduction to the subject, breath practice, moving yoga and instruction in dream practice. Catherine Jetsun Yeshe is a deeply experienced practitioner of Vajrayana Buddhism who has guided a number of people into the Bardo states and beyond. This has been a long awaited retreat by a number of people who are interested in Bardo studies, the Yogas of Naropa and Powa practice so early registration is recommended.
Our retreats look to balance mind and body in our meditation practice. We include in the daily schedule, Moving Yoga in the morning, walking and sitting meditation and time to be with nature. We ease naturally into silence. The reduction of inner chatter supports the outer silence just as letting go of social chatter and engagement enhances inner silence.
Retreat costs include food, accommodation and teaching. We help coordinate ride sharing amongst retreatants.
Please register early.
May you enjoy this precious moment.
Registration
Call FoH now at (416) 486-5105, or email us with your questions.
If you wish to register or hold a spot for the weekend retreat, please fill out a registration form and send in your payment.
We will not process your credit card or cash your cheque unless you are accepted into retreat. PLease note that this summer retreat is not well suited for beginning meditators. Please watch for one-day retreats at FoH in the Fall.
Retreat Precepts
At the beginning of retreat and for the duration of the retreat, all participants are asked to undertake a commitment to harmonious living. We take at least the first 5 Precepts and depending on retreat and teacher, the additional 3 precepts. These will be explained in depth prior to start of retreat. If you have any questions, please contact us. The retreat organizer or teacher will be happy to answer any questions.
Email us at
Also please download an interview questionnaire to fill out and bring with you to the retreat.
These are some questions about your meditation experience to help teachers give you individual guidance.
download questionnaire.
Advance Reading for All Retreats
Please have a look at our brief guide to approaching retreat meditation
at Turn
Your Retreat Into an Advance � by Catherine Jetsun Yeshe and Joyce
Allen. When we do retreat at Friends of the Heart, we are not trying
to �retreat� from anything, but rather advancing toward our aspirations.
Daily life does not normally offer us the quiet spaciousness needed
to go beyond a certain threshold of calm in meditation. During retreat,
we have the opportunity to move through repeated meditation cycles,
allowing us to �go deeper� each time in a safe, quiet, compassionate
atmosphere.

Donations and Payments
If you wish to make a payment to Friends of the Heart we have setup a shopping cart
that will process your payment through Paypal. You will find here options for audio teachings, memberships, retreats,
donations and for other activities of Friends of the Heart.
You can use Paypal to make secure payments in your own currency. The Canadian dollar amount will be automatically converted for your
credit card or bank account.
We prefer to work through PayPal as it is time consuming for a volunteer organization to handle cheques and email credit card orders.
Online Payments
Please give with a generous heart.


|