Mountain Meditation Retreat: A Transformation of the Heart

1788 Georgia 356,Helen GA 30545

03 December, 2021

Description

A weekend of powerful meditations for enhancing loving kindness. Focussing on the teachings and meditations of the chapter Enhancing Cherishing Love, from the book The New Eight Steps to Happiness by Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso Rinpoche. Spend a relaxing and meaningful weekend away, in the tranquil setting of Unicoi Mountain Retreat Center. Guided by qualified meditation Teachers from our regional Kadampa Centers, and meditating and discussing with spiritual friends, this weekend will be a chance to rest, reflect and bring the meaning of the Dharma loving kindness into our hearts. This is a special opportunity to spend time quieting the mind and deepening your meditation practice, free from everyday distractions. “For someone who’s main wish is to achieve the spiritual realizations of love, compassion, bodhichitta and great enlightenment, living beings are more precious than a universe filled with diamonds or even wish-granting jewels. Why is this? It is because living beings help that person to develop love and compassion and to fulfill his or her wish for enlightenment, which is something that a whole universe filled with jewels could never do. As Shantideva says in Guide to the Bodhisattva’s Way of Life: Since living beings and enlightened beings are alike In that the qualities of a Buddha arise in dependence upon them, Why do we not show the same respect to living beings As we do to the enlightened beings?” Geshe Kelsang Gyatso, The New Eight Steps to Happiness SCHEDULE: Friday, December 3rd 5pm–7:30pm | Registration and settling in to accommodations 7:30 - 8:45pm | Introduction to Weekend Teaching and Meditation with Gen Norden Saturday, December 4th 8:30–9:45 am | Session One 11:00 am–12:15 | Session Two 12:30 pm | Lunch 4–5:15 pm | Session Three 5:15–5:45 pm | Discussion and Q and A 6:00pm | Dinner 7:3–-8:45 pm | Session Four Sunday, December 5th 8:30-9:45 am | Session Five 11:00 am–12:15 pm | Session Six 12:15–12:45 pm | Final Discussion and Q and A. COVID-19 SAFETY PROTOCOLS: We care about your safety and well-being! Here is a list of COVID-19 prevention measures for this retreat: -Please email us if you would like to book a shared room, but do not have a roommate. This year, we are making special accommodations due to COVID concerns. Email [email protected] -During retreat sessions at the beach house building, everyone must wear a mask. If you don't have a mask with you, one will be provided. -We have a UV air purifier running at all times inside the beach house to encourage air flow. -Chairs in the beach house meditation room will be socially distanced. This year, we will be doing away with the indoors eating area in order to have room for everyone to seat at a distance. -Any meals, beverages and snacks will be offered to-go. Retreat attendees are encouraged to eat these outside (weather permitting) or inside their cabin. We will be setting up tables outside for those who wish to eat together, or you may have a picnic on the beach or use one of the many picnic tables in the area. -We offer hand sanitizer to all our guests and volunteers, and sanitize all high touch areas before every class.