Contemplations to Settle the Mind on Oct. 1st

Stressing out trying to settle the mind and “get concentrated?” Tired of trying to force your attention onto a narrow point of breathing and getting frustrated? We’ll explore setting up the mind/heart with some contemplations that allow for natural and easeful settling into samadhi, rather than trying to force attention onto a tight location. The day will include guided meditation, some reflections and time for Q&A. There will be a traditional meal offering at lunch time – please bring some food to share with the monks and other participants.

Note: This is a dana event, i.e. although registration is required via the Spirit Rock website, there is no required registration fee. Registration is available at this webpage:
https://calendar.spiritrock.org/events/contemplations-to-settle-the-mind/

Previous Daylong Meditation Retreats led by Abhayagiri teachers:

• Mindfulness of Breathing Practice & Study Day at Abhayagiri on September 9th
• Happiness on the Buddhist Path led by Ajahn Pasanno at Spirit Rock on August 20th

Luang Por Pasanno will be teaching a retreat in Wisconsin on October 12-15. Although the in-person registration for this retreat is full, there is an opportunity to join the retreat online. Please check https://madisonmeditation.org/retreats/ajahnpasanno for more information on how to join.

Led by Ajahn Karunadhammo, Ajahn Nyaniko
and the Abhayagiri Community
November 19-26, 2023 at Applegate Retreat Center, Applegate, CA

Please note: Registration is full, so if you register now you will be placed on a waiting list and notified if there are cancellations.

Abhayagiri Monastery in Redwood Valley, California and the Sanghapala Foundation invite you to join the Abhayagiri Community for an eight day residential retreat over Thanksgiving. Although zoom has been a great support over the time of the pandemic, we are very happy that we can be together in person again.

The retreat will be held from Sunday afternoon, November 19th, through Sunday morning, November 26, 2023, at the Applegate Jesuit Retreat Center, near the Sierra foothills. It’s a beautiful, very private 350-acre center, nestled in California’s historic gold country. The closest airport is Sacramento, about 50 miles SW of the center.

We will create a monastery environment during our time together, and we offer you this opportunity to explore the Dhamma in a setting that differs somewhat from a typical meditation retreat. We will all live the monastery life, following the Eight Precepts, taking only what is offered, and attempting to reflect on our every activity as part of our practice. This will include noble silence, morning and evening chanting, sitting and walking meditation, and daily Dhamma talks and teachings.

Because of the length of this retreat and the adherence to the Eight Precepts, you must previously have sat at least one five-day silent meditation retreat. Retreatants are requested to attend the entire retreat, from registration time to the closing ceremony on Sunday morning at approx.10:30am. The facility is accessible for people in wheelchairs. We are unable to accommodate special dietary or environmental needs. We will eat a hearty breakfast and, in keeping with this monastic tradition, the daily meal (vegetarian) is eaten before noon; there is no evening meal or use of kitchen. Incense and candles are used at the morning and evening chanting periods.

Covid Protocol
The Applegate Center is a double-occupancy rooming setup. Covid continues to be a factor in the world and the current covid information may not be applicable at the time of the retreat. As a community we will mindfully follow a safety protocol before and during the retreat. Everyone will be asked to take extra precaution in the two weeks before opening day and everyone will be required to take a covid antigen test within 24 hrs before arrival at Applegate Center. At this point masks for the retreat are optional. However, for the safety of the community this may change and additional protocols added. More information will be provided as we get closer.

The retreat will be offered solely on dana (free will donations). There is no set fee.
Upon registration a refundable $200 deposit is required. Receipt of your deposit will confirm your place in the retreat. Before registering please consider your ability to fully commit to attending. Cancellations have a significant impact and as we get closer to opening day we may not be able to fill your canceled space. If you do need to cancel please email us right away. Please Note: Should you cancel after October 15, your deposit will not be refunded. Thank you for your understanding.

Once the retreat is full, we will start a waiting list. We will email you when a space has opened.

To register for the retreat please fill out the online form HERE and:
Mail a $200 deposit check to
Paul Friedlander, 722 Prospect Avenue, Oakland, CA 94610
Please Note: Make the check payable to Sanghapala Foundation and post date it November 19, 2023. Once we receive your deposit check we will email you to confirm your place in the retreat.

For all questions please contact the retreat manager, Kathy Cheney, retreatmanager.kathy@gmail.com