Winter Stillness Meditation Intensive: Sublime Abiding

“Even as a mother protects with her life
Her child, her only child,
So with a boundless heart
Should one cherish all living beings:
Radiating kindness over the entire world
Spreading upwards to the skies,
And downwards to the depths;
Outwards and unbounded,
Freed from hatred and ill-will.
Whether standing or walking, seated or lying down
Free from drowsiness,
One should sustain this recollection.
This is said to be the sublime abiding.”
From the Karaniya Metta Sutta

“Love where there is no reason to love.”
Sangharakshita

As one year comes to an end and another begins, take some time to dwell in peace.

The cultivation of meditative depth with radiant positive emotion is a central dynamic of Buddhist spiritual life. The heart/mind is flexible, and painful states of hatred and craving can be let go of as we cultivate the qualities we wish to embody. This process is deeply healing and integrating; this practice can ‘burn up’ the karmic residue of unskillful habits, and create momentums of inspiration and love that transform us and our communities.

The Brahma Viharas (Sublime Abodes or Immeasurables) are a collection of meditation practices based in the development and embodiment of metta or loving-kindness. They are kindness, compassion, sympathetic joy and equanimity. This retreat will explore each of these practices, freeing us from the burdens of ill-will and showing us the way to a deeper embodiment and expression of love.

Our program provides a steady schedule of meditation, open space, ritual and silence. A tradition on this retreat is an end-of-year outdoor fire ritual in which we burn confessions or things we’d like to leave behind. The winter landscape in Aryaloka’s forest and along the Piscassic river allows for contemplative walking and the appreciation of nature. 

Each practice will be introduced through led practice with opportunity for discussion and Q&A. Optional meditation reviews (focused one-on-one discussion with retreat leaders) will be available. There will be long periods of silence on the retreat to support a contemplative atmosphere, free of distraction. 

Zoom Option: If you would like to attend the daily teaching session via Zoom, please email info@aryaloka.org and we'll send you the link. Donations appreciated for the Zoom option. The teaching session is from 10:30am to 12:30pm.

Led By —

Dh. Śravaniya was ordained in 2003, having first encountered meditation and the FWBO (later the Triratna Buddhist Community) in the UK in 1978. His name, inspired by an episode in the biography of Milarepa, means “Delightful to listen to” or “Worthy of being heard.” Sravaniya works as a professional orchestral conductor and violinist, and co-facilitates the Boston Triratna group.

Dh. Śuddhāyu has been teaching meditation and Buddhism and leading retreats since 1998. He has a deep love of the processes of meditation practice, as well as poetry, myth and creative ritual. He currently works full-time for Dharma initiatives as Chair at the Portsmouth Buddhist Center and Manager of Aryaloka. 

Painting detail: New Year's Eve Foxfires at the Changing Tree, Ōji by Hiroshige 
 

How are we coming together safely?

• 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. 
• 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 here.
• Masks are optional unless otherwise stated. Masks are required indoors for anyone testing negative of Covid-19 within days 6-10 of post-covid exposure without infection.
• If you have recently recovered from Covid-19, stay up-to-date with CDC guidance here as to when you’re clear to be back in public.*
• If you have cold or flu symptoms, we ask that you do not attend in-person.*
• All participants will be asked to sign a waiver of liability in relation to Covid-19.
• We have installed new air purifiers with virus-destroying technology!
• There are new cleaning and sanitation protocols.

*Zoom options are available for many events. Transfer of fees or refunds are also available for illness or illness-preventative related absence. 

Please email info@aryaloka.org 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.
 

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 considering this.

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