Bhante Yogavacara Rahula
Vipassana Meditation with Yoga:
Integrating the Body and Mind on the Path of Awakening
November 11-16
5 nights
$325 ($165 deposit) Dana
Until one reaches the highest levels of meditation, it is impossible to separate the body and mind. Body affects the mind; mind affects the body. Both these aspects of our body/mind organism need to be balanced and integrated to effect a smooth progress on the path to Freedom. The practice in this retreat cultivates mindful attention to the body and breathing as the foundation for acquiring deeper awareness and insight into the nature of the mind/body process. The yoga practices of slow deep breathing coordinated with mindful bending and stretching exercises help achieve this. Periods of sitting, standing and walking meditation promote a continuity of awareness in the present moment.
An integral aspect of mindfulness training is to become aware of the impulses/intentions which precede our kammic actions of body, speech, and thought in order to transform harmful, neurotic habits which bring conflict and suffering. Dhamma talks will center around the Buddha's teaching on the Four Noble Truths and the Noble Eightfold Path. How we can carry this practice into our daily life is emphasized.
Clear instructions, some guided meditations, and personal interviews will be offered. Some chanting and metta meditation are also included.
Previous meditation practice would be helpful but not mandatory.
Bhante Rahula was ordained as a Buddhist monk in Sri Lanka in 1975. He lived there ten years, studying and practicing mindfulness/vipassana meditation with different teachers and living alone in secluded hermitages. His teaching integrates the practice of yoga and meditation. Since 1987 Bhante Rahula has been residing and teaching at the Bhavana Society Forest Monastery in WV with Bhante Henapola Gunaratana.
Here is the daily schedule of the Bhante Rahula 2007 Southern Dharma retreat. The 2008 schedule may be different.
5:00 Wake-up
5:30 Yoga
6:00 Sitting
7:10 Breakfast
8:00 Work Period
9:00 Short Instructions - Sit/Stand/Walk/Sit
11:30 Lunch
1:30 Walking
2:00 Dharma Talk
3:00 Standing, Sitting, Walking, Sitting
5:00 Yoga
6:15 Light Meal
7:30 Meditation
8:15 Standing
8:30 Questions
9:00 Sleep or Continued Practice