We invite you to the residential retreat Cultivating the Beautiful, led by Gaia House teachers Zohar Lavie and Nathan Glyde, who will be joining us and guiding us online, held between the 22-29. July 2023 in Zen center Vrážné.
A path that releases dukkha (ill-ease or stress) is equally one that reveals peace and opens delight. That there is a more beautiful way of being is central to the Buddha Dharma teachings. Many of us can feel, imagine, or know this to be true. This path of wholesome activity cultivates the beautiful and invites us to linger for longer in the happiness that, deep down, we all appreciate is possible.
On this retreat, we will apply accessible teachings and practice to learn how to bring more ease, joy, and well-being into our lives. A silent retreat is a wonderful support to do this: whether you join us in Vrazne, or online, this time has all the ingredients for meaningful and beautiful freedom.
All are welcome to come and explore these practices on this residential retreat. This retreat is appropriate for everyone, those with a lot of meditation experience or none at all. However, if you cannot come to the residential retreat, you can still join online for the Dharma teachings, meditation instructions, and any guided meditation sessions. For the online attendance, you will need some stability in your own practice, as you will need to be able to sustain your own practice independently between sessions.
Teachings are offered in English and will not be translated. The daily routine consists mostly of sitting and walking meditation and also includes instructions for meditation, an evening talk, a working period, and a voluntary exercise of mindful movement. The retreat is held in silence except during individual or group interviews with a teacher.
NATHAN GLYDE has been practicing and studying meditation since 1997 and sharing teachings on retreats since 2007. In 2004 he co-founded SanghaSeva.org, whose retreats emphasize wisdom and compassion in ecological and humanitarian service. Nathan’s schedule and teachings can be accessed at DependentOrigination.org.
ZOHAR LAVIE has been practicing meditation in different traditions since 1995. Since 2006 she has been teaching on silent retreats and Dharma gatherings in India, Europe, and Israel. She also facilitates retreats that offer service as a spiritual path with SanghaSeva | Meditation in Action.
Date: 22-29. July 2023.
Place: Zen center Vrážné, vraznezen.org
Financial contribution:
- In-person attendance: 4500 CZK standard price, 3500 CZK students and seniors. This contribution covers the costs of accommodation, food, and basic costs for organizing the retreat; however, it does not cover the financial support for the teacher. The financial contribution for the teacher – dāna – is a voluntary, however very welcomed way of generosity of supporting the teacher.
- Online attendance: on dāna.
Food: vegetarian meals 3x day will be provided. If you have any food restrictions, let us know.
Accommodation: in shared rooms in sleeping bags. Alternatively, the participants can sleep in their small tents in the garden.
Applications: please send applications to retreats@meditacevhledu.cz. Reservation of the place on the residential retreat is made by the prepayment of 1000 CZK.