Mindfulness

The Retreat at the Stonehill College is now FULL. If you would like to be on the waiting list, please contact us by email: mfmaster@vermontel.net or toll-free phone at: (866)896-6151.

Although our retreat is full, it is still possible to join other events led by Thich Nhat Hanh:

August 12-17, 2007 – Stonehill College, Easton, MA

“Every time you feel lost, alienated, or cut off from life, or from the world, every time you feel despair, anger, or instability, practice going home. Mindful breathing is the vehicle that you use to go back to your true home.”

When we know how to live simply and mindfully, and how to live deeply each moment of our life, we can touch the wondrous, refreshing, and healing elements that are inside and around us. Awareness of breathing and of our steps is our anchor in the present moment. It enables us to nourish peace, joy, love and understanding in our individual and collective consciousness, and to avoid losing ourselves in regrets about the past, worries about the future, or craving, anger, or jealousy in the present. We invite you to learn the art of mindful living and join a five-day retreat offered by Thich Nhat Hanh, the monks and nuns and a group of dedicated lay practitioners of Plum Village, Maple Forest Monastery, Green Mountain Dharma Center & Deer Park Monastery.

Each day Thich Nhat Hanh will offer his teachings on mindfulness, and will lead us in the practice of walking meditation. The monks and the nuns will guide us in the practice of Sitting Meditation, Total Relaxation, Touching the Earth, and the practices of deep listening and loving speech, the foundations of reconciliation. Our meals will be taken in silence to allow us the space and time to contemplate the food and the presence of other practitioners around us. We will meet daily in smaller groups to discuss the teachings and the practice of mindfulness. During a Tea Meditation we will have time to express our happiness of being together as we share poetry, songs, stories, music and moments of silence. There will be periods and areas of Noble Silence to help us integrate and reflect on what we have experienced during the day.

Together we will learn and practice the art of mindful living and of crossing the barriers of our individual and collective fear.

The retreat is open to all, including beginners and families with children. The first part of Venerable Thich Nhat Hanh’s Dharma talks is normally dedicated to the children. A mindfulness practice program will be offered for Teens (13 to 17 years old) and for Children (6 to 12 years old) with the help of parents. Children under 6 years old are welcome to join the retreat under the care of their parent. We usually start the day at around 6 a.m. and end the day at around 10 p.m.

Wake Up	Lunch / Personal Time
Walking and sitting Meditation	Dharma Sharing / Tea Meditation / Other
Breakfast	Dinner
Dharma Talk	Sitting meditation & chanting/Total relaxation & touching the earth/ beginning anew presentation
	Noble Silence / Rest Time

All meals are vegetarian, including some vegan options. Unfortunately we are unable to cater to individual dietary needs.

Retreatants are requested to refrain from smoking and drinking alcohol during the entire retreat and to practice the Five Mindfulness Trainings in order to support creating a safe and healthy environment. The Five Mindfulness Trainings are guidelines that support us in realizing our aspiration of living a meaningful and happy life in a spirit of non-harming. A full text of the Five Mindfulness Trainings will be sent along with the retreat confirmation package after you have registered.

There will be an opportunity for retreatants and others to receive the Five Mindfulness Trainings with Venerable Thich Nhat Hanh early in the morning on Friday, August 17^th. If you have studied and practiced the Five Mindfulness Trainings and wish to formally receive them but can not attend the retreat, please contact Green Mountain Dharma Center.

The retreat begins with check-in. Please plan to arrive between 11:00 am and 5:00 pm on Sunday, August 12^th. Dinner will be served between 4:00 pm and 7:00 pm. An orientation talk will be given at 7:30 pm. Please plan to attend the entire retreat. The retreat will end after lunch on Friday, August 17^th.

Stonehill College is a beautiful small college located 20 miles south of Boston in Easton, Massachusetts.

Cancellation Policy: On or before July 1^st there will be a refund of the amount you paid less $50 processing fee per person on all cancellations. After July 1^st a 50% refund of the full registration fee will be available. No refund of any portion of the fee is available for late arrivals or early departures.

We will begin sending confirmation letters with other pertinent information on April 15. If you send you registration form after April 15, please allow us 2-3 weeks to process your form.