Mindfulness of the Body: Practices for Insight and Freedom
November 3-6, 2011—Galilee Centre, Arnprior, Ontario
Teacher: Daryl Lynn Ross and Jim Bedard
Learning to investigate body is one of the most fundamental of all the teachings on mindfulness. Whether standing, walking, sitting or lying down the body is always accessible. Bringing awareness to the body is a gateway into the deathless, a practice that can truly be considered “one’s best friend.” Developing an embodied practice, we recognize the body as our most intimate teacher. This is a silent meditation retreat with Dharma talks and meetings with teachers.
Daryl Lynn Ross has been engaged in meditation and other contemplative practices since 1972. She has practiced with Tibetan, Zen and Vipassana teachers, emphasizing insight practice in recent years. In 1980 the writings of Christian mystics led her to explore the Christian contemplative path, and she was later trained to offer guidance in this tradition. From 1986 to 2008 she offered meditation teachings and spiritual mentoring as university chaplain at Concordia in Montreal, and has been leading retreats since 2000. Daryl is a founding member and guiding teacher of True North Insight.
Jim Bedard began practicing Zen meditation in 1980 and became a student of Roshi Philip Kapleau of the Rochester Zen Center. He practiced with Roshi Kapleau and his dharma heirs for the next twenty years. After completing his formal training in Zen, wanting to broaden and deepen his experience, Jim began practicing with senior Vipassana teachers in the Theravada tradition. Today he offers a balanced approach to practices that point directly to the heart of the teachings. In 2006 Jim was invited to share teaching responsibilities at Spring Rain Sangha in Toronto.
Registration Information
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LOCATION: Galilee Centre, 398 John Street North, Arnprior, Ontario, http://www.galileecentre.com/. This lovely retreat centre is located near the centre of Arnprior, overlooking the Ottawa River and bordering on an old-growth forest.
ARRIVAL TIME: 3:30-5:30 pm, Thursday, November 3. The retreat will conclude by lunch on Sunday, November 6. Everyone is welcome to stay for lunch.
COST: Sliding Scale: $290 – $320 - $350
Deposit: $125
Early registration is necessary to hold the retreat. Without enough registrations, we will not be able to offer this retreat.
Please note that the retreat fees pay for a single room and three meals a day. This does not include donations to the teachers.
Late Registration Fee: For registrations postmarked less than 14 days before the start of a retreat, add $30 to the sliding scale fee you are paying.
Cancellation Fees: Please contact us as soon as possible if you need to cancel. Fees are: $50 if you cancel four or more weeks before a retreat begins. Your full deposit is forfeited after that.
WHAT TO BRING: Meditation cushion or bench (chairs are available at the centre), a blanket or mat for under your knees. The Galilee Centre provides bedding (sheets, towels, blankets, pillows, and pillow cases) and soap. Bring your toiletries, necessary medicines, indoor shoes or slippers, alarm clock.
MEALS: Meals will be vegetarian with dairy and eggs.
ETHICAL GUIDELINES: Retreatants are asked to practice the five traditional guidelines, or precepts, for the period of the retreat:
- I undertake the training to refrain from taking life.
- I undertake the training to refrain from taking anything that is not freely offered.
- I undertake the training to refrain from sexual activity.
- I undertake the training to refrain from telling lies.
- I undertake the training to refrain from using alcohol or any substances that lead to carelessness.
MORE INFO: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 450-458-5321.
TO REGISTER: All retreats require a deposit on registering. If possible, please pay the entire retreat cost on registering; this helps our operations.
Please print out and complete the registration form. Please mail it with your deposit or full payment to True North Insight, P.O. Box 1211, Hudson, Quebec, Canada J0P 1H0.