Meditation is as natural as breathing. With support and skillful guidance, you can learn to use the ancient practice of mindfulness to relax, overcome psychological and emotional obstacles to happiness, and find ease and freedom in your days. The path of awakening has always been within you, waiting to be revealed. Come discover that you are not your moods, racing mind, compulsions, addictions, or wounds from the past. You are, just beneath the surface, a being of love, compassion and wisdom.

This retreat includes sitting and walking meditations, lectures, and discussions, as well as music, poetry, and movement. Individual guidance and instruction are available. Return to your life and relationships rested, renewed, and inspired.

This program is held in noble silence (except sessions). Common areas on campus are shared with other guests.

A deep sense of inner spaciousness and spiritual support – past participant, 2021

Please note: Tuition does not include a fee for the presenter. This is a dãna-based retreat (see below for details).

What is Dãna?

Dãna is an ancient Pali word meaning “giving” or “gift.” Dãna is at the heart of the 2,500 year old Buddhist tradition. Going back to the days of the Buddha, he and the monastic community offered the teachings freely to lay people, as a form of dãna. In turn the lay community, through their generosity, or dãna, ensured that their teachers’ basic needs for food, clothing, shelter and medicine were provided.

When the Buddha would give a public discourse, he usually began with teaching on the importance and the benefits of dãna. The act of giving itself is of immeasurable benefit to the giver; it opens up the heart, diminishes for a moment one’s self-absorption and places value on the well-being of others. The key is that the act of giving itself is the natural expression of a connected and loving heart.

The fee you pay to attend this retreat covers the basic retreat costs; none of your registration fee is payment to the teacher leading the retreats. Teachers offer the teachings with a spirit of generosity and trust that their lives and work will be supported by those who are receiving the life-giving teachings. This is a real expression of the truth of interdependence.

Read More from Robert Beatty on dãna.

Related Programs

Mindfulness Meditation: A Way of Love and Compassion, Sept. 16 – 21, 2022 with Robert Beatty

Schedule

A detailed schedule will be available 1-2 weeks in advance of the program. View sample schedule here.

Terms & Conditions

You may find our terms & conditions here.

Health & Safety

Learn more about Hollyhock’s current health & safety policies here.