A Gesture of Awakening — A Retreat with Paramananda

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We look forward to hosting you! Please visit aryaloka.org/about-your-visit for relevant information regarding your stay. 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/gesture.png" style="width:800px;height:800px;" />A Gesture of Awakening — A Retreat with Paramananda; August 22, 6pm to Aug 29, 2:30pm

According to myth, the Buddha confirmed his enlightenment by making the gesture of touching the earth. We can extend this idea of "mudra" to the whole body where the posture expresses our intention and affirms our faith.

In this longer retreat, we will explore how meditation can be understood and practiced in a psycho-somatic way, emphasizing our physical experience instead of our conceptual experience.

Along with sitting, the retreat will include some gentle bodywork and will take place largely in silence. The retreat will also include ritual practice.

Led by: <a href="https://www.windhorsepublications.com/product-category/authors/paramana…; style="text-decoration:none;">Paramananda</a> has been teaching meditation and leading retreats worldwide for over 30 years and is also a poet and author of four books on meditation: Change Your Mind, A Deeper Beauty, The Body and The Myth of Meditation. 
Paramananda will be supported by <a href="https://thebuddhistcentre.com/stories/the-impermanence-of-everyone-the-…; style="text-decoration:none;">Paramabodhi</a>, who is currently based at the London Buddhist Center. Paramabodhi lived and worked with Paramananda for many years, mainly in San Francisco.

Image detail: Mandala of the Thirteen Buddhas (Jūsan butsu mandara) Muromachi period 1392–1573), Momoyama (1573–1615), or Edo (1615–1868) period; Japan

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-aryaloka">here</a>.

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.

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 including reduced rates, payment schedules, volunteer opportunities and scholarships. <a href="mailto:info@aryaloka.org" style="text-decoration:none;">info@aryaloka.org</a>