New Years Calm Abiding Retreat
New Year's Calm Abiding (Zhinay) Retreat
Led by Lama Michael Conklin
December 31, 2008 - January 1, 2009
KCC Urban Center
Zhinay, or Calm Abiding, will be taught during this retreat. The practice is the essential underpinning of all other meditation practices. While our minds are busy and distracted by a myriad of disconnected thoughts, feelings, and emotions, it is not possible to deeply engage the meditation methods which could lead us to the intended result of directly recognizing the nature of mind. Zhinay is a direct method for learning to let the mind rest naturally, free of our commitment to the tyranny of these distractions. This short, two day retreat will provide participants an opportunity to learn how to meditate using a few of the many methods available, to explore in open discussion how we can carry this meditation into our daily affairs and, vice versa, our daily affairs into our meditation. In short, we will take this opportunity to explore how we can integrate our spiritual path into the rest of our life, laying the ground for them to become completely inseparable.
This retreat is for beginning & experienced meditators, regardless of background.
Anyone who is interested in attending the refuge ceremony is welcome. Everyone is invited to attend and witness the Refuge Ceremony. If you are planning on participating in the Ceremony, taking the step of formally entering the path, then we encourage you to invite friends and family according to what you feel is appropriate. In addition, it's helpful for Lama Michael to know about your intention in advance, though not absolutely necessary. When you notify him, also let him know the spelling of your name as you would like it to appear on the certificate given at refuge (send it to him via e-mail: conklin@kcc.org). You can email him your intention to participate in the refuge ceremony, and your full name. See for more information about taking refuge.
You may participate in all or part of this retreat. This is NOT a residential retreat.
Lunch on Wednesday and Thursday will be potluck. All other meals will be on your own. Participants are asked to bring one potluck dish to the retreat. Retreatants with the last name starting with A - M are to bring a dish on Wednesday, N - Z bring a dish on Thursday. Please contact the registrar if you have questions.
Schedule
December 31
Arrival/Registration - 8 am
First session - 9 am
Last session ends - 5:30 pm
January 1
First session - 9 am
Last session ends - 3:45 pm
Refuge Ceremony 4:30 pm
Pre-requisites
This retreat is suitable for beginning and experienced practitioners, regardless of background.
Registration
Cost: $50 with a discounted price of $30 for KCC members of at least 3 months. Full payment is required when you arrive at the retreat. For more information contact Karyn Fenton, bandk290@canby.com, or 503-263-3412
Please email or call Karyn Fenton if you would like to attend this retreat.
Confirmation (via email or phone) will be made shortly after receiving your email or phone call.
Scholarships
A limited number of scholarships (up to 50% of the retreat cost) are available for individuals with serious financial constraints. Preference is given to KCC members of at least three months. The number of scholarships available depends entirely on donations to the Scholarship Fund. For those who can afford it, please consider contributing to the Scholarship Fund so that others who are less financially fortunate are able to attend KCC retreats.
Please review the scholarship and membership policies http://www.kcc.org/about/intranet/documents/policies/scholarship.html To apply for a scholarship, please include a letter briefly stating your financial circumstances, the amount you are requesting and your history as a practitioner with your completed registration form and payment.
Sponsor
Kagyu Changchub Chuling (KCC) , a Dharma Center in Portland, Oregon, is sponsoring this retreat. KCC was founded in 1976 by the Very Venerable Kalu Rinpoche, one of the eminent meditation masters of modern Tibet and a holder of the Karma Kagyu and Shangpa Kagyu lineages. The mission of KCC is to make the teachings of these lineages accessible for all practitioners, whether they are just beginning to investigate Buddhism or are long-time students.