Secret Wings: How to Live the Beautiful Dharma Life | Aryaloka Buddhist Retreat Center

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Aryaloka Cancellation Policy

If a cancellation is made 11 days or more in advance (counting the start date of the event), the deposit will be refunded minus an administrative fee of $25, or the whole fee can be transferred to a future event. If the cancellation is made within 10 days or less of the event, the whole fee can be transferred to a future event, or half the fee will be refunded. If there is a no-show for an event without cancellation prior to the start time of the event, no refund will be made. Exceptions to this policy may be made at the discretion of the Center Manager who can be contacted at info@aryaloka.org.

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Event Description

<img alt="" src="https://aryaloka.org/sites/default/files/images/events/Secret%20Wings%2…; style="width: 800px; height: 800px;" /> 
Secret Wings: How to Live the Beautiful Dharma Life | Weekend Retreat March 29, 6pm to March 31, 4pm

In this retreat we will investigate how we might live a dharma life from the viewpoint of ‘the beautiful.’ Throughout the ages, spiritual masters and philosophers have asked what it means to live ‘the good life’ or ‘the beautiful life’. 
 
Through hands-on playful investigation, ritual, conversation and through some study (including some texts from Lama Govinda) we will go deeply into these ever timely questions: What does a beautiful Dharma life look like? What does it feel like? Through which embodied practices can we come closer to leading such a life? How can we - perhaps, how must we? - imagine our own ordinary life in such a light, the transformative light of the beautiful? How, in very difficult times, how, in the midst of mundane activities, can we maintain our inspiration, our connection to beauty? How to smile when we cry? How to dance when we hurt? How might our search for inner truth find creative expression in the lovely and the beautiful?

Come ready to play! Come ready to imagine! Come ready to create! Come ready to explore.

Led by Dh Advayasri, Dh Sravaniya and Dh Viriyalila. Read their bios <a href="https://aryaloka.org/teachers" style="text-decoration:none">here</a>.

This retreat is residential and meals/housing are included in the price. Please see the note below about donations for teachers.  You can access helpful information about attending retreats at Aryaloka <a href="https://aryaloka.org/about-your-visit" style="text-decoration:none">here</a>. 
 
Image detail: Donato Creti, astronomical observations: Jupiter

I came to explore the wreck. 
The words are purposes. 
The words are maps.

the thing I came for: 
the wreck and not the story of the wreck 
the thing itself and not the myth... 
— Adrienne Rich

The point of diving in the lake, is not immediately to swim to the shore 
But to be in the lake, to luxuriate in the sensation of water 
You do not work the lake out, it is an experience beyond thought… 
— John Keats

Life means giving and taking: exchange, transformation. It is breathing  
in and breathing out. It is not the taking possession of anything,  
but a taking part in everything that comes in touch with us. 
— Lama Govinda

Oh cry no more that you are weak 
But stir and spread your secret wings, 
And say ‘The world is bright, because 
We glimpse the starriness of things.’ 
— Sangharakshita

A Culture of Generosity and Support 
In the tradition of passing on the Dharma freely, our Dharma retreat and workshop facilitators offer their work without charge and are not paid. We recognize the value in what they do and want to thank them for their time, energy and wisdom. A financial gift can help support our facilitators to afford them the opportunity to lead. Please consider making a donation towards their support. There is often a cash collection and a thank you card that is passed on the retreat, though one can also make a donation directly to facilitators with a check, and some use money transfer services such as PayPal or Venmo. Thank you for your generosity.

How are we coming together safely?

<ul>
<li aria-level="1" style="list-style-type:disc">Please take a Covid-19 rapid test on the day of the event (Aryaloka does not provide this test). A negative rapid test is required for entry; please take a photo of your test results and present at the door. </li>
<li aria-level="1" style="list-style-type:disc">If you know you have been exposed to Covid-19 within a five day period of the event’s start-time, we ask that you not attend in-person.*  Stay up-to-date with exposure guidelines <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/your-health/if-you-were-expos…; style="text-decoration:none">here</a>.</li>
<li aria-level="1" style="list-style-type:disc">Masks are optional unless otherwise stated.</li>
<li aria-level="1" style="list-style-type:disc">If you have recently recovered from Covid-19, stay up-to-date with CDC guidance <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/your-health/isolation.html&qu…; style="text-decoration:none">here</a> as to when you’re clear to be back in public.*</li>
<li aria-level="1" style="list-style-type:disc">If you have cold or flu symptoms, we ask that you do not attend in-person.*</li>
<li aria-level="1" style="list-style-type:disc">We have installed new air purifiers with virus-destroying technology!</li>
<li aria-level="1" style="list-style-type:disc">There are new cleaning and sanitation protocols.</li>
</ul>

*Zoom options are available for many events. Transfer of fees or refunds are also available for illness or illness-preventative related absence. Please email <a href="mailto:info@aryaloka.org" style="text-decoration:none">info@aryaloka.org</a> if you have any questions about our safety protocols. Aryaloka may adjust these policies in relation to current, local infection rates, and will keep retreatants posted on such changes.

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 Event Rate is our actual fee for the event. It is for people paying their rent or mortgage, and who can afford occasional or regular leisure expenses such as dining out. Any payment above the advertised fee is a tax-deductible donation.

The Mid-Level Reduced Rate is for those who are paying their mortgage or rent, though experience a consistent tightness in budget that makes extras like leisure activities or unexpected expenses difficult or impossible.

The Base-Level Reduced Rate 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 email the office to make other arrangements. info@aryaloka.org