REGISTRATION IS FULL
3-Day Non-Residential Retreat @ Dharma Gate
September 7-9, 2018
DAY OF DETAILS:
If you signed up for a volunteer task position or to bring food for the common meal on Saturday evening, Ellie Graham (
elinoragraham@gmail.com) will have contacted you to confirm details.
A number of sangha members have volunteered to lead different aspects of practice that will occur during the retreat; Elaine Waller-Rose, Sharyne Chiu Thornton, Bk Kimmel, Vera Garibaldi, Genevieve Hicks, Elizabeth Donahue, Ruby Phillips, and Anita Graham. Thank you!
Outline Schedule of NRR:
(A more detailed schedule will be available at the retreat.)
FRIDAY: Please arrive at 6:00 PM to sign-in. We will finish at about 8:30 PM.
SATURDAY: Optional sitting at 8:00 AM with Jon and Mike, formal program begins at 9:00 AM, and ends at 9:00 PM.
SUNDAY: Optional sitting at 8:00 AM with Jon and Mike, formal program begins at 9:00 AM and ends at 3:00 PM.
Food and Drink:
There will be tea and water available during the entire retreat, and participants are expected to bring a brown-bag lunch for Saturday and Sunday. Please provide a way to store your food and have it ready-to-eat. We will have a eat lunch together formally on each day. Some coolers will be available in addition to the refrigerator.
Saturday evening food will be provided, gluten-free and vegan. If you have additional allergies, please contact Ellie Graham,
elinoragraham@gmail.com and we will see what can be worked out.
If you have any other questions or concerns, please contact me as below.
Thank you for reading and I look forward to practicing with you!
John
cell (voice, text): 206-724-9510
RETREAT DESCRIPTION:
The Buddha once told his friend Ananda that ‘The whole of the holy life is good friends’. Join Michael Melancon and Jon Prescott as we explore how friendship supports mutual awakening. Drawing from the Zen practice that has long framed their own deep friendship, they will offer teachings, practices, and activities to help you nourish your own spiritual friendships. This retreat will be at Dharma Gate, and will include silent sitting, walking, and eating; individual and group activities; relaxation; and Dharma talks offered together by dear old companions. Various members of MCPS will also be leading practices within the retreat.
Mike and Jon at the top of Yen Tu Mountain, Vietnam
Primary Topics We’ll Explore:
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Exploring the role of friendship in Buddhist practice
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Knowing the joy of walking the Path together
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Nurturing and watering seeds of camaraderie
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Offering and accepting friendship without reservation
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Practicing the vulnerability of sharing your best, and your worst
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Becoming a clear mirror for each other
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Learning to value both supportive and adversarial friends
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Identifying spiritual friends you already have
Jon Prescott and Michael Melancon began their spiritual friendship as Order of Interbeing aspirants in 2003. Both were early members of MCPS. Although Michael now facilitates Two Palms Up Sangha in Palm Springs and Jon facilitates The Anacortes Mindfulness Community and The Island Sangha on Guemes Island, they deepen their friendship through frequent contact and an annual private retreat.
