Thursday July 5 - Monday July 9, 2012.
The retreat is called "Living the Gita (Dharma) in Every Moment" and the talk times will be used to concentrated on various verses and chapters of the Gita (we'll be using Jnaneshwar's Gita as reference) and then break into two or three groups (there will be 16 people) and discuss how we can incorporate these facets into our lives and what that looks like in this day and age; then come back into a large circle and discuss findings OR if it takes a long time to discuss in small groups then the next session for that day can be talking in the larger group.
This will be mostly a silent retreat with the lower shrine room being the silent room where meditation and Buddhist Transmissions will take place (completed by the resident retreat master Lama Phuntsok). We will be doing the White Tara (protection) Puja and the Chenrezig (Compassion) Puja daily.
The upper shrine room will be where the talks are held and will be the "talking room" during the retreat - as well people can talk in their cabins if they wish but the rest of the retreat facilities will remain in silence.
We've incorporated the resident retreat master Lama Phuntsok into our retreat so that attendees can get a feel for the Shangpa Kagyu Lineage of Tibetan Buddhism and receive transmissions of two important diety practices. You'll learn how to do the puja in chanting form as well as the meanings of each puja. You will become better acquainted with this sacred land and meet a beautiful Lama as well.
The talks will focus on aspects of the Gita that are all encompassing and not specific to the Gita itself but Gaurang is using the Jnaneshwari because of his familiarity with this beautiful text. We'll investigate the qualities that we are asked to imbibe within this scripture and discuss how this is possible within this day and age. Come with an open mind, heart and spirit and we'll learn together.
The retreat costs $240. Registration closes June 28th.
LIMIT IS 15 people!
Please contact Gaurang at destinationom@gmail.com to confirm your registration. Payment in full please, no deposits. Cash required as this is all a donation to the temple, cooks and for food - Gaurang makes no money from these retreats. The cost includes a cabin on your own, meals and gratuity (to the cook(s)) included so there will be no need for any more money to change hands and all are honoured for their time and effort.
MEALS:
The food will be vegetarian, soaked and sprouted whole foods. We will try our best to accommodate gluten-free, vegan and other specific dietary needs. It is important that our cook Gillian knows well in advance of your needs so please communicate them upon registration.
LOCATION: Kunzang Dechen Osel Ling (KDOL) "Mt Tuam Buddhist Retreat Centre" on Saltspring Island, BC CANADA
SCHEDULE WILL BE: (NOTE: Punctuality is to be respected on this retreat for all start times including meals)
Thursday, July 5:
12p - 4p: Arrive: Lunch/Snacks will be laid out, get comfortable in designated room - we will tell you before you get there whether you are in the upper cabins "NAROLING" or lower cabins "NIGULING".
4-6p: Naroling shrine room: orientation (Gaurang's talk time to state the purpose and intent of bringing the group together in this way on this sacred retreat land), schedules handed out
6:30-8p: dinner
8-9p: Niguling shrine room: Lama Phuntsok will be doing the transmission and teachings of Chenrezig (Compassion)Puja.
9-10p: Niguling shrine room: silent meditation in shrine room (each silent meditation will be just that - SILENT - you can stand up, stretch your legs, whatever but you are asked to stay in the shrine room as part of this retreat - trust me :) it will help whether you can do it with eyes closed or not - you get a chance to see your thoughts, etc) We offer chairs to any that need them - please ask ahead of time and we'll have them put aside for you.
10-11p: free time
11p-6a: quiet time and/or sleeping
Friday:
6-7a: Niguling shrine room: silent meditation
7-8: Niguling shrine room: Lama Phuntsok will be doing the transmission and teachings of White Tara (Protection) Puja.
8:30-10: breakfast
10-12: Naroling shrine room: GITA TALK. We will break into groups to discuss the verses and how we can incorporate the teachingsinto everyday life. There will be 16 people so likely 3 smaller circles. We will return to larger group after 1h 30m to discuss in the larger group. If the smaller circle goes longer we can use the next talk time to address the verses amongst all of us.
12:30-4p: lunch, outdoor hiking, nature walk, get oriented into the land, walking meditation, whatever just connect with the land :) and it doesn't have to be all of us together.
4-6p: Naroling shrine room: GITA TALK
6:30-8: dinner
8-9p: Niguling shrine room: Lama Phuntsok will lead Chenrezig (Compassion)Puja.
9-10p: Niguling shrine room: silent meditation in shrine room
10-11p: hanging out on main floor
11p-6a: quiet time (hushed voices) and/or sleeping
Saturday:
6-7a: Niguling shrine room: silent meditation
7-8:
Niguling shrine room: Lama Phuntsok will lead White Tara Puja
8:30-10: breakfast
10-12:
Naroling shrine room: GITA TALK
12:30-4p: lunch and break.
4-6p: Naroling shrine room: GITA TALK
6:30-8: dinner
8-9: Niguling shrine room: Lama Phuntsok will lead Chenrezig Puja
9-10: Niguling shrine room: silent meditation in shrine room
10-6a: quiet time (hushed voices) and/or sleeping
Sunday:
6-7a: Niguling shrine room: silent meditation in shrine room
7-8: Niguling shrine room: Lama Phuntsok will lead White Tara Puja
8:30-10: breakfast
10-12: Naroling shrine room: GITA TALK.
12:30-4p: lunch and break.
4-6p: Naroling shrine room: GITA TALK
6:30-8: dinner
8-9: Niguling shrine room: Lama Phuntsok will lead Chenrezig Puja
9-10: Niguling shrine room: silent meditation in shrine room
10-11p: hanging out on main floor
11p-6a: quiet time (hushed voices) and/or sleeping
Monday:
6-7a:
Niguling shrine room: silent meditation in shrine room
7-8: Niguling shrine room: Lama Phuntsok will lead White Tara Puja
8:30-10: breakfast
10-12: Naroling shrine room: wrap up circle.
12: lunch and pack up to make our way down.
Relax and head down when you must - typically people leave around 5p-6p.
CAR POOL: We will be carpooling from Sacred Mountain Lavender and will be leaving at noon on July 5 to make our way up the mountain. Please include in your registration email if you'll be needing a ride from the ferry and we will co-ordinate with other drivers to make sure all make it up in time for the orientation at 4p.
Last Ferry TO Victoria: 750p (reserve an hour to slowly drive down the mountain - although quickly you can arrive in 30mins)
Last Ferry TO Vancouver from Long Harbour: 810p (reserve 1.5 hours from mountain - although 1hr quickly)
The retreat costs $240. Registration cloese June 28th.
LIMIT IS 15 people!
Please contact Gaurang at destinationom@gmail.com to confirm your registration. Payment in full please, no deposits. Cash required as this is all a donation to the temple, cooks and for food - Gaurang makes no money from these retreats. The cost includes a cabin on your own, meals and gratuity (to the cook(s)) included so there will be no need for any more money to change hands and all are honoured for their time and effort.
