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Kindness and Wisdom Retreat with Doug Kraft, November 28 - December 7, 2015

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Doug teaches how to effectively cultivate wise-attention as a mindfulness practice along with a path of insight and contentment. He stresses the need for ease and relaxation to enjoy rapid progress in the stages of meditation. 

The retreat begins on Saturday, November 28 with on site registration and room assignments from 3:00pm to 5:00pm at the Mercy Center near Sacramento California. Registration for this retreat is limited to 24 participants. 

About 
Located 83 miles south of San Francisco International Airport, St. Francis Retreat is situated on a sunny hillside only a few miles from the historic San Juan Bautista Mission. The contemporary Spanish-style building complex is nestled among vineyards and shade trees on seventy acres of rolling hills. Participants will enjoy the expansive natural beauty of St. Francis along with comfortable furnished room and outstanding vegetarian meals. More about St. Francis Retreat: http://www.stfrancisretreat.com/

General Guidelines

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All participants are expected to observe 8 precepts and conduct themselves with integrity at all times. The retreat will be largely in silence however mindful speech is tough and practiced at specified times.

The schedule includes several daily group practice sessions along with a collective reading of the refuges and precepts will be followed by seated meditation before breakfast.  A facilitated group meeting will take place prior to the evening talk given by Doug. The grounds and facilities are open 24/7 including hot tea and juices in the dining hall. The majority of daily meditation is self directed with session locations and times determined as needed by each participant. Daily personal interviews are scheduled with Doug to optimize the meditation experience to develop greater  wisdom and liberation. 

Lodging and Cost

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This is a non-profit retreat. Fees cover the costs for facilities, lodging, meals, insurance, printing and postage expenses. The cost for the 9-nights is $749 double occupancy and $988 single occupancy which includes meals and accommodations. The weekend rates for experienced meditators is $120 per night double and $145 single occupancy. Experienced students may do a daylong retreat for $45 including meals.

Meals and Dining

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Breakfast, lunch, and a light evening meal will be buffet style. The community refrigerated food storage is available to those with special dietary needs. Contact the retreat manager if you have special dietary needs and wish to bring supplemental foods for your private consumption. Food is not permitted in the bedrooms or meditation halls. 

  

Download the registration form below or learn more at:
http://www.KindnessAndWisdomRetreat.org
registration_form_doug_summer_2015.pdf
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Other California Retreats

Tranquil Wisdom Insight Meditation with Bhante Vimalaramsi March 23- April 1, 2016 at the St. Francis Retreat Center, San Juan Bautista, California. 
Go to Easter Retreat Website
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Bhante Vimalaramsi is a distinguished American Buddhist monk with nearly forty years of meditation practice. He is regarded as a master meditation teacher and leads retreats in Europe, Asia, and North America. He founded the Dhamma Sukha Meditation Center near Annapolis, Missouri, after returning to the USA having practiced twelve years in Asia. He is the author of The Anapanasati Sutta: A Guide to Tranquil Wisdom Meditation, Breath of Love, and Moving Dhamma Volume 1. Bhante is the American representative to the World Buddhist Conference. mo

Go to Dhamma Sukkha Website


Recommended

Bhante Dr. M. Punnaji, teacher, author, and founder of Proto Buddhism, offers compelling talks on Youtube and published works available at: http://www.protobuddhism.com
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A few topics include:
  1. A compelling interpretation of Paticca Samuppada that explains the arising of dukkha at every moment as opposed to the traditional explanation which spans three lives.
  2. The path to Nibbana, through the gradual evolution of the Noble Eightfold Path, for which he uses the term the Supernormal Eightfold Way.
  3. The mental, physical, and physiological changes one experiences in the gradual deepening of tranquility in meditation and the states of jhana and insight.
  4. The difference between “existence” and “experience,” as expounded by the Buddha.
These and many other inspiring topics offer new perspectives on core Buddhist teachings. 

"Win the highest point in human evolution by mastering the  authentic meditation skills of the Buddha. Gain perfection in physical and mental health and happiness. Make a paradigm shift from existence to experience, which will awaken you from the dream of existence and set you free from every suffering including death itself..."
                            – Bhante Punnaj 










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