Three Month Winter Retreat

WinterFest! Three Month Winter Retreat- The three month winter retreat at home concept was an initiative to bring the three month winter retreat experience in the monasteries to non-monastery settings. Below is a description of the three month winter retreat as practiced at Wake Up House from mid-Nov 2010 to mid-Feb 2011.*** Join us for a 3 Month Practice Period at Home and/or at WakeUp House This winter the Wake Up House mindfulness community in Hyde Park is hosting a 3 month winter retreat for lay practitioners to deepen our mindfulness practice while still going to work or school or while we are traveling. Typically during a winter retreat, a commitment is made to stay within the boundaries of the practice center. However, with many of us going to school or work that is not really possible, so we’re instead committing to stay within the boundaries of the present moment! There are many ways for you to participate in the retreat, either in person at the house or in spirit at your own home! Click on the link or read on below to find out how you can participate: http://tiny.cc/moehs The Opening for the retreat is this Friday, Nov 19, starting at 6pm and will continue with a Day of Mindfulness on Saturday Nov 20, 10am – 4pm.  You can sign up for the Day of Mindfulness at the link above as well. *** How it Works: The practices below are only a recommendation (based on the winter retreat in the Plum Village tradition). Please commit to whatever fits your schedule and your practice needs right now (such as sitting 3 times a week for 20 min, or attending a Day of Mindfulness). Wake Up House is here to support you and those signing up the retreat will also be able to support each other. Practices on your own or at Wake Up House: Sitting meditation in the morning and evening – recommended 45 min to 1 hour each session – 6 days a week, Wake Up House is open for you to come sit at; Listening to one or two Dharma Talks offered online each week from Plum Village, either at Wake Up   House or at home; Practicing a mindful verse,  Five Food Contemplations, and Touching the Earth exercise everyday; Attending a Day of Mindfulness (10-4) each month at Wake Up House; Participating in Dharma Discussion with group at Day of Mindfulness, can dial in by phone; Closing Ceremony – Feb 19 Practices on your own: Making a resolution for practice period; Reading one or two books on theme of retreat together; Being a ‘second body’, or practice buddy, with one other person; Aspiring to weave mindfulness into all daily activities, not focusing just on sitting meditation, but meditating throughout the day: whether while eating, walking, working, cooking, washing, shopping, using a computer, or drinking a cup of tea; *** Days of Mindfulness Schedule 9:00 am   –       Working, Sitting Meditation (optional) 10:00 am   -     Arrive and settle in, Sitting meditation, Walking meditation, Sitting Meditation 11:00 -12:15  -  Dharma Talk 12:20 -1:15    -  Vegetarian Potluck * 1:15 – 2:00   –    Walking Meditation 2:00 – 3:00   –    Deep Relaxation 3:00 – 4:00    –   Dharma Discussion * if you cannot bring a dish, please enjoy the meal and contribute $5. Sign up for Days of Mindfulness Even if you won’t be participating in the WinterFest practice period, you’re welcome to join us for our Days of Mindfulness: Saturday, Nov 20 Saturday, Dec 18 Saturday, Jan 15 Saturday, February 20 *** Daily Meditation Schedule at Wake Up House During WinterFest Mon-Fri: Mornings – 7:00 – 8:00 am  – Sitting Meditation  (Mon – Fri) Morning  – 8:00 – 9:00 am  -  Eating Meditation (Mon – Fri) Evenings 6:00 – 7:00 pm  – Sitting meditation  (Mon-Fri) Saturdays: Morning – 9:00 -10:00am – Sitting Meditation Afternoon – 4:00 – 5:00 pm – Sitting Meditation *** Why WinterFest? The Winter Retreat is a time in the life of both the monastic and lay communities when we simplify things, committing ourselves to focus deeply on cultivating the practice of mindfulness. We get down to the practice, letting go of our worries, of our habit of hurrying, of our organizing, and concentrate on being fully present in the here and now. The Winter Retreat is the equivalent to the 3-month varśa (rainy season) retreat held in monasteries of various Buddhist traditions. It dates back to the time of the Buddha when the monks and nuns were traveling and teaching the Dharma throughout various regions of India during the year. During the rainy season, when traveling became difficult, they collected together as a community to learn and practice the Dharma, and to share their way of life and experience in the practice. Today, the monastic members still continue this tradition of gathering together to practice for 3 months every year. Plum Village, Deer Park and Blue Cliff offer opportunities for lay friends to attend this special retreat and share their practice and way of life with the monastic community during this period and practitioners can stay anywhere between 1 week to 3 months. However, for many of us it is not possible to travel or take time off from work, school or personal commitments to participate.  Wake Up House is thus offering this opportunity to practice right here in Austin, Texas!  We don’t need to go anywhere outside of Austin to do the retreat – we do it right at home or at Wake Up House (or wherever we are) knowing that there are others nearby and faraway who are also committed. A similar, non residential winter retreat was held last year by lay practitioners throughout France–let’s bring it to Austin! This is an exploration in finding ways for us to practice mindfulness and meditation in community in the 21st century.  Are you up for it? Sign up at – http://tiny.cc/moehs For more information, please send reply to this email or give us a call – 909 503 5296.

In gratitude,  Wake Up House