Start Date: Saturday, June 22, 2013
End Date: Monday, July 1, 2013

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The intention of this intensive retreat is to create an atmosphere conducive to extended meditation with the fewest external distractions. Retreat participants will have no rota jobs or responsibilities so they can focus completely on their meditation practice. An emphasis on the collective aspect of practice using the five precepts is woven into the fabric of this retreat.

Participants will have the opportunity for daily, individual conversations with retreat leaders about their meditation practice.

Participants are welcome to tent on the grounds.

Meals will be light and snacks will be provided. After a brief introduction, and a question and answer period the first evening, we will be in Noble Silence until the morning of the final day.

At Aryaloka, we strive to make our programs available to everyone regardless of their financial circumstances. Our fee structure allows you to pay according to your means. The Sustaining price is for people comfortably paying their rent or mortgage, and who can afford the occasional meal out and movie. The Sustaining price level also helps Aryaloka offer lower prices to those who could otherwise not afford to attend. Any payment above this price is a tax-deductible donation. Mid-Level prices are for those who have a regular income and are paying their mortgage or rent. Prices at this level contribute to the range of Aryaloka’s operating costs. The Base-Level price is for those without an income or with an income low enough that making ends meet is a challenge. Those whose circumstances are not included above can call the office to arrange alternate pricing.

	Led by:	Bodhana and Karunasara
	Times:	7:00 p.m. Fri to 12:00 p.m. Mon.
	Venue:	Aryaloka
	Registration:	Registration Page
	Fee:	Sliding Scale $660/550/440
	Level:	Experienced
	Directions:	Directions Page

Start Date: Friday, August 16, 2013
End Date: Tuesday, August 27, 2013

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A VISION OF THE ORDER

On this retreat we will be exploring the meaning, purpose, culture, spirit, and vision of the Triratna Buddhist Order through talks, study, discussion, meditation and devotion.

“The Order . . . does not identify itself with any one form of Buddhism. Instead it rejoices in the riches of the whole Buddhist Tradition and seeks to draw from those riches whatever is of value for its own practice of the Dharma.”

“Let us do away with our divisions. Let us do away with the divisions between monastic and lay Buddhists, between men and women Buddhists, and between the followers of different sects and schools of Buddhism. Let us have an integrated Buddhism and an integrated Buddhist community. Let us base ourselves firmly and unmistakably upon our common Going for Refuge to the Buddha, the Dharma, and the Sangha.”

“The Order, and especially the unity of the Order, is symbolized by the figure of the eleven-headed and thousand-armed Avalokitesvara. Each Order member represents one of the thousand arms and hands . . . Each hand holds a single implement . . . Each instrument represents the particular talent or gift that each individual Order member makes to the Order, to the movement, to the world, as a whole. . .”

~ quotes from Bhante Sangharakshita

As preparation for the retreat we will be using among other sources, Sangharakshita: a new voice in the Buddhist tradition, Chp. 5, by Subhuti. You also are encouraged to reflect on your own relationship to the Order and movement and why you want to be a part of it. There will be more information about preparation materials coming soon.

The team this year will consist of: Ashokashri, Karunadevi, Varasuri, Amala, Padmatara, and Vimalasara. Registration begins at 6:30 p.m. on Aug. 16 and the retreat begins at 7:30 that same evening.

NOTE: If you choose to pay the highest tiered fee for the retreat ($572), $110 will go toward scholarships for those who cannot afford even the lowest fee.

	Led by:	Ashokashri, Karunadevi, Varasuri, Amala, Padmatara, and Vimalasara
	Times:	6:30 p.m. – 11:00 a.m.
	Venue:	Aryaloka
	Registration:	Registration Page
	Fee:	Sliding Scale: $572/462/352
	Level:	Experienced (GFR)
	Directions:	Directions Page

Start Date: Friday, September 27, 2013
End Date: Sunday, September 29, 2013

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Yoga and Buddhism may be described as complex spiritual traditions, each teaching us about ourselves and our way in the world. Both traditions, while drawing upon mind and body practices, turn our attention inward, paving the way to a path of awareness and awakening.

In this retreat there will be a weaving together of the similarities and differences of these practices. There will be an invitation to explore how the practices of Yoga and Buddhism can foster mindfulness, calmness, wisdom, kindness, and compassion.

Although not required, some experience with yoga postures and Buddhist traditions will be helpful. The retreat will be experiential, with appropriate times of silence, delicious vegetarian meals, and rest.

	Led by:	Lily Sibley
	Times:	7:00 p.m. Fri. to 3:00 p.m. Sun.
	Venue:	Aryaloka
	Registration:	Registration Page
	Fee:	Sliding Scale $225/185/145
	Level:	Open to All
	Directions:	Directions Page

Start Date: Thursday, October 3, 2013
End Date: Sunday, October 6, 2013

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If you enjoy the Metta Bhavana or Loving Kindness Meditation and would like to broaden your meditation experience in this area, the Brahma-Viharas meditation practices are the next step. The Brahma-Viharas are a series of meditation practices originally taught by the Buddha on four profound, yet accessible, states of mind:

• Metta/Loving-kindness: Opening our hearts to ourselves and others; extending our loving-kindness to all of humanity
• Karuna/Compassion: Meeting suffering and pain with love and compassion
• Mudita/Joy— Sharing one another’s joy; being truly happy when someone else has good fortune
• Upekkha/Equanimity— Maintaining inner peace in the face of the ever-changing vicissitudes of life

This is an intermediate-level retreat, for people who already have a good understanding of the Metta Bhavana meditation practice. The techniques of the other three Brahma Vihara meditation practices – the Karuna Bhavana, Mudita Bhavana, and Upekkha Bhavana – will be taught. There will be opportunities ask questions and discuss one’s experiences about the Brahma Viharas in general, and their associated meditation practices.

Spend the weekend expanding your love, joy, compassion and sense of peace through meditation.

At Aryaloka, we strive to make our programs available to everyone regardless of their financial circumstances. Our fee structure allows you to pay according to your means. The Sustaining price is for people comfortably paying their rent or mortgage, and who can afford the occasional meal out and movie. The Sustaining price level also helps Aryaloka offer lower prices to those who could otherwise not afford to attend. Any payment above this price is a tax-deductible donation. Mid-Level prices are for those who have a regular income and are paying their mortgage or rent. Prices at this level contribute to the range of Aryaloka’s operating costs. The Base-Levelprice is for those without an income or with an income low enough that making ends meet is a challenge. Those whose circumstances are not included above can call the office to arrange alternate pricing.

	Led by:	Arjava, Karunasara
	Times:	7:00 p.m. Th. to 2:00 p.m. Sun.
	Venue:	Aryaloka
	Registration:	Registration Page
	Fee:	$240/200/160
	Level:	Experienced
	Directions:	Directions Page

Start Date: Friday, November 15, 2013
End Date: Friday, November 22, 2013

Register for this Event

The intention of this intensive retreat is to create an atmosphere conducive to extended meditation with the fewest external distractions. Retreat participants will have no rota jobs or responsibilities so they can focus completely on their meditation practice. An emphasis on the collective aspect of practice using the five precepts is woven into the fabric of this retreat.

Participants will have the opportunity for daily, individual conversations with retreat leaders about their meditation practice.

Meals will be light and snacks will be provided. After a brief introduction, and a question and answer period the first evening, we will be in Noble Silence until the morning of the final day.

At Aryaloka, we strive to make our programs available to everyone regardless of their financial circumstances. Our fee structure allows you to pay according to your means. The Sustaining price is for people comfortably paying their rent or mortgage, and who can afford the occasional meal out and movie. The Sustaining price level also helps Aryaloka offer lower prices to those who could otherwise not afford to attend. Any payment above this price is a tax-deductible donation. Mid-Level prices are for those who have a regular income and are paying their mortgage or rent. Prices at this level contribute to the range of Aryaloka’s operating costs. The Base-Level price is for those without an income or with an income low enough that making ends meet is a challenge. Those whose circumstances are not included above can call the office to arrange alternate pricing.

	Led by:	Bodhana,  Karunasara, Lilasiddhi
	Times:	7:00 p.m. Fri to 12:00 p.m. Fri.
	Venue:	Aryaloka
	Registration:	Registration Page
	Fee:	Sliding Scale $480/400/320
	Level:	Experienced
	Directions:	Directions Page

Start Date: Friday, December 13, 2013
End Date: Sunday, December 15, 2013

Register for this Event

Learn to use mindfulness-based techniques to support people in the addiction recovery process. This retreat will provide the skills to deliver an eight week course on Mindfulness-Based Relapse Prevention for addiction. This will be an intensive residential training retreat with a full daily schedule. Participants should have a thorough knowledge of meditation, an understanding of mindfulness, and practicing the five traditional Buddhist precepts.

OUTCOMES OF TRAINING

Participants will:

·         Receive a PDF manual of the 8 week course

·         Develop an understanding of addiction and compulsive behaviors and how they relates to our own life

·         Develop an understanding of how mindfulness techniques help with addiction recovery

·         Develop existing skills in working effectively with addictive and compulsive behaviors and increase your confidence in applying them.

·         Have an understanding of the 6 – 8 week course and the confidence to co-facilitate a course in your institution or as part of your work practice

Sliding scale $350 – $650

Vimalasara, Aka Valerie Mason-John,  is the co-author of Eight Step Recovery – Using the Buddha’s Teachings to Overcome Addictions, to be published in 2014, and author of Detox Your Heart: Working with Anger Fear and Hatred.

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At Aryaloka, we strive to make our programs available to everyone regardless of their financial circumstances. Our fee structure allows you to pay according to your means. The Sustaining price is for people comfortably paying their rent or mortgage, and who can afford the occasional meal out and movie. The Sustaining price level also helps Aryaloka offer lower prices to those who could otherwise not afford to attend. Any payment above this price is a tax-deductible donation. Mid-Level prices are for those who have a regular income and are paying their mortgage or rent. Prices at this level contribute to the range of Aryaloka’s operating costs. The Base-Level price is for those without an income or with an income low enough that making ends meet is a challenge. Those whose circumstances are not included above can call the office to arrange alternate pricing.

	Led by:	Vimalasara
	Times:	5 p.m. Fri. to 5 p.m. Sun.
	Venue:	Aryaloka
	Registration:	Registration Page
	Fee:	Sliding Scale of $650 to $350
	Level:	Experienced
	Directions:	Directions Page

Event Dates: Friday December 20, 2013 – Monday December 30, 2013

Register for this Event

Journey into the world of loving kindness and cultivate the conditions to experience no self, in the openness of heart and stillness of mind. This retreat will feature meditation instruction and practice, opportunity for reflection, and skillful guidance to allow you to connect to your heart’s whisper, experiencing the silence of breath and sensations.

Although much of the retreat will be in silence, we will listen to dharma talks from Sangharakshita each evening reminding us of the path of liberation. The retreat will be divided into three phases, each with a slightly different focus.

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