Meditation Retreat with Aaron Wickenheiser
April 9-11
The Retreat
This weekend retreat will be a blending of meditation practice and teachings on essentials
of Buddhadharma. Our meditation practice will focus on simple yet profound methods of
merging our minds with natural space. Practicing together will be a major focus.
Between meditation sessions will be talks focusing on essential aspects of our practice
that imbue our training and path with meaning. Topics will include fully embracing
refuge as a gateway and protection, the heart of kindness as the key to the essence,
and abiding in purity as the way to understand liberation. We will use regularly recited
prayers as a basis for the teachings and discussions.
Aaron Wickenheiser grew up with Buddhism in Ven. Chogyam Trungpa's sangha in Vermont and
Colorado. He met his heart teacher, H.E. Garchen Rinpoche, in the early 2000's
and eventually entered the first three year retreat held at Garchen Institute in Chino
Valley, AZ. The retreat was under the direct guidance of Ven. Traga Rinpoche. In addition
he received empowerments and teachings from a number of lamas. Shortly following the
completion of his retreat in November 2008 he came to White Lotus to continue retreat
on our land in Canandaigua and assist our sangha. Gar Rinpoche has said that Aaron
should teach whatever he has had experience with. White Lotus is fortunate to have
someone with his experience and learning and his open, gentle manner to guide newer
practitioners along the way.
Retreat Schedule
Friday, 4/9
6 pm Dinner and introductions
7-9 pm Talk: Entering the Gateway, sitting meditation
Saturday, 4/10
6-8 am Sitting meditation
10-12 Talk: The Heart of Kindness, sitting meditation
2-4 pm Sitting meditation (with private check in/Q & A)
6-8 pm Sitting meditation
Sunday, 4/11
6-8 am Sitting meditation
10-12 Talk: Purity as Liberation, sitting meditation
End
Although you may come and go for this retreat, to get the most benefit out of your
experience participants are encouraged to attend the entire retreat. You may stay over
night at the Center - although in most cases this is a mattress on the floor in a room
with others. Meals will be served beginning with dinner on Friday night and ending with
lunch on Sunday.
Cost
Entire retreat (incl. meals): $75 ($60 WLS members)
Attending per session: $8/session, meals $5 per lunch or dinner
Students 15-22 yrs of age: meal price only (entire retreat $25 for the weekend)
Some scholarships are available - if it would be financially difficult for you to
attend this retreat, please contact the office and speak with Pat Posner or
Gretchen Howard.
It is traditional to make a small monetary offering, to the teacher at the end of such a
program. This is whatever amount you can or would like to make.
Accommodations
Spaces to stay overnight will be on a first come, first served basis.
Please be sure to indicate you would like a space in the house. You can do this on your registration
form or send an email to info@whitelotusdharma.org.
Bring your own bedding - towel, pillows, sheets and blanket or a sleeping bag.
To register:
Register via Pay Pal below, or in person at the Dharma center.
Registration forms are available in the foyer at 11 S. Goodman Street. Payment
may be dropped in the donation box in the foyer or mailed, with your name, address,
phone # and email address to White Lotus Society, 11 S. Goodman St, Rochester,
NY 14607.
Please contact us if you have any questions: 585-442-5853 or
info@whitelotusdharma.org.
Online Registration
To register for the entire retreat please use the following button. Select whether you are
a member or non-member and click "Buy Now".
To register for a specific number of sessions and meals, please use the "Add To Cart"
button below. Add sessions, meals, or both. Once you click "Add To Cart" you will be taken
to a checkout page where you can specify the number of sessions and/or meals.
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