Reduce speed and fall in Love – Deep meditation and ikebana retreat
A unique opportunity to go deep in the disciplines of meditation and ikebana under the guidance of Mathias Pongracz and Marcia Shibata. Two-week retreat open to beginners and experienced students. (Picture by May Isler)
Autumn is the time when nature gives without struggle.
With deep meditation we have the opportunity to stop collecting and return to what really matters in life; to touch our essence that is completely alive and generous.
Autumn is a time of maturing, dropping the unnecessary, letting go, and harvesting the beauty in ourself. We learn from nature through observing her intimate, honest, fearless movements reveled in this season of life’s cycle.
These two weeks of silent meditation will have methodical instructions on the foundations of insight and awareness, Qigong, Orioki and guided ikebana practice.
The retreat is open to both beginners and experienced students in any of the disciplines.
You have the opportunity to elect only sitting if you do notwish to participate in ikebana.
The time is countable for 1/2 of a full Dathun for any forth coming program that may require it.
HALF DATHÜN – COME ENJOY AUTUMN IN DECHEN CHÖLING
Dathün means a month of deep meditation practice.In this case it will be an opportunity to plunge fully into two weeks of silent sitting and walking meditation : practicing mindfulness/awareness (shamatha/ vipashyana) – to connect with the depth of our beingand to develop friendliness towards ourselves and others.
As a group we develop an atmosphere that encourages wakefulness respect and warmth towards each other and towards the environment.
In the afternoon you have the rare opportunity to connect your mindfulness practice with the dicipline of ikebana led bythe Ikebana master Marcia Shibata. In this way there is a chanceto link the process of the inner unfolding of our heart/mind with the outer unfolding that we can witness in the nature around us.
What to Expect
The traditional four-session daily schedule begins at 7am and ends around 9pm most evenings. Sitting sessions are alternated with walking meditation periods, and there are regular breaks for meals, tea and a mid-day work period. Silence or “functional talking” is practised for much of the retreat, and participants are assigned light cleaning and kitchen tasks as meditation in action. Meals are served in the meditation hall using the Zen contemplative eating practice of oryoki.
Some Qi Gong exercises will be offered every morning.
While this is a practice retreat focused on deepening one’s shamatha-vipashyana meditation, there will be occasional dharma talks, and opportunities to ask questions about your practice when you meet with a meditation instructor.
Who Should Attend
The dathün is open to all and can be beneficial to both new and experienced meditators. Practitioners at all levels will refine their meditation by deepening
the foundational shamatha-vipashyana practice.
Typical daily schedule
Silence until lunch
7:00 Practice day starts
7:30 Exercise
8:00 Breakfast
9:30-12:30 Meditation and teaching
12:30 Lunch, rota, time off
15:00-18:45 Ikebana or Meditation
18:45 Dinner
20:00 Simple meditation or short teaching
Practical
Arrival day (17 September): Orientation talk at 8 pm. You’re invited to come from 4 pm in order to register and settle in your room. Dinner is served at 6.45 pm.
End of programme (1 October): Closing circle and banquet in the evening.
Departure day (2 October): You may leave anytime (no programme). You’re welcome to stay for lunch.
This programme is taught in English. Translation can be organized if requested in advance.
NOTE: Please note that a 70 euros flower fee is included in the retreat price. If you wish to attend the retreat without taking part in the ikebana teachings, please leave a comment in your registration so we deduct that fee.
