SAT CHIT ANAND

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MINDFUL AWARENESS IN ACTION

Retreat with Heila and Rodney Downey

From Dharma Centre in Robertson

Friday 12 - Sunday 14 May 2006

Zen Buddhism

 

 

 

Many people spend their lives running around doing lots of things, but there is often not much wisdom there. From non-doing comes wise doing. Learn how to bring meditation into daily life. You will learn a 20-step programme to bring awareness to all that you do. This will profoundly effect the way you live and do things, bringing quality and calm presence to even the most mundane things. The ordinary becomes extra-ordinary with the Zen approach to life, which emphasises simplicity and contentment. Its not what you do, its how you do it that makes all the difference. This retreat will include bowing, chanting, sitting in zazen, walking and working Zen. There will be meditation instruction, awareness training and koans. Don’t think about it, just do it!   

 

HEILA AND RODNEY DOWNEY are formally authorised Zen teachers in the Korean tradition. They are both teachers with over 20 years experience. Heila received teaching permission in 1996, becoming the first African master Dharma teacher in the Korean tradition, officially authorised to lead retreats and teach koan practice. Rodney is Abbot of the Dharma Centre and senior Dharma teacher. They lead Zen style retreats at their lovely home and Dharma Centre in Robertson, as well as teach in Cape Town at the Rondebosch Centre, UCT Graduate School of Business, Malmesbury Prison, and overseas. 

 

For retreat review with HEILA and RODNEY

See June 2005 newsletter

 

SAT CHIT ANAND is a Buddhist Centre and Guesthouse in Plettenberg Bay. It is our delight to host meditations, Buddhist teachings and weekend spiritual retreats, which may be attended on a residential or non-residential basis. A retreat is a time to remove oneself from the distractions of the world, and focus on one’s spiritual practice. Traditionally this involves receiving and contemplating teachings, meditating and doing spiritual practices.

 

WEEKEND RETREAT SCHEDULE

 

THURSDAY:

19h00: Free talk by Heila and Rodney

 

FRIDAY:

19h00 – 21h00: Homage to Buddha and introduction

Periods of noble silence will be observed during retreat

Private interviews with the teachers by arrangement

 

SATURDAY:                                                   

07h00 - 08h00: Bowing, chanting, morning meditation

08h00: BREAKFAST (residents only)

09h00 – 10h00: Dharma talk, meditation instruction

10h00 – 11h00: Walking and sitting meditation              

TEA BREAK                                          

11h30 – 12h30: Walking and sitting meditation

12h30: LUNCH                                        

14h00 – 15h00: Walking and sitting meditation

15h00 – 16h00: Tea ceremony

BREAK                   

18h00: SUPPER (residents only)

19h00 – 20h30: Bowing, chanting, evening meditation

 

SUNDAY:

07h00 - 08h00: Bowing, chanting, morning meditation

08h00: BREAKFAST (residents only)

09h00 – 10h00: Dharma talk, meditation instruction

10h00 – 11h00: Walking and sitting meditation

TEA BREAK

11h30 – 12h30: Walking and sitting meditation

12h30: LUNCH

14h00 – 15h00: Walking and sitting meditation

15h00 – 16h00: Questions, sharing, dedication of merits

TEA and depart home

 

COST

 

RESIDENTIAL: Retreats commence on Friday evening and finish on Sunday afternoon. Price includes 2 nights shared accommodation in garden cottages, all meals (vegetarian food only), and teacher’s dana. Residential: R600

 

NON-RESIDENTIAL: Special price for local residents who wish to attend the retreats, excluding accommodation, but including specified vegetarian meals, and teacher’s dana. Non-residential: R400

 

Deposit of 50% is payable upon reservation of place for residential retreats, and balance payable in cash or cheque upon arrival. Deposit may be posted or paid into bank account, details of which will be provided when booking is made. If booking is cancelled 2 weeks prior to retreat, the deposit will be refunded, less cancellation fee of R100.

 

Plettenberg Bay is a popular holiday destination. It is possible to come early and/or stay after the retreat. Special rates for retreatants participating in our conducted retreats, who wish to stay longer in our self-catering cottages, are R150 per person per night.

 

GENERAL

 

SCA is a non-smoking space. Retreatants to uphold the 5 Buddhist Precepts (see Code of Conduct). We hope you can join us on the retreat. You don’t have to be a Buddhist, because anyone can benefit from the Buddha’s teachings. Number of places limited, so early booking is advisable: phone (044) 533 0453 or email satchitanand@global.co.za for further enquiries and bookings.

 

DIRECTIONS

 

There are 3 entrances to Plett: Coming from Cape Town side, take first entrance into Piesang Valley. Coming from Port Elizabeth side, take third entrance into Piesang Valley. Drive down the valley, till end of the road. There is a traffic circle, garage and some shops. Turn right towards the BI Hotel (left goes up the hill into town). Pass 1st right being Longships Road. Take 2nd right into Longstone Road. There will be a small park on your left hand side, and we are in the road that runs behind this park: no 16 Great Basses Road, large sea-sand coloured house. NB please phone on arrival, because we do not always hear the doorbell.

 

J SAT CHIT ANAND namaste to you Buddha-to-be! 

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