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9-Day Retreat - Natural Samādhi with Bhante Ānanda
Boundless Love Meditation to Nibbāna
With Bhante Ānanda [ngg src="galleries" ids="3" display="basic_thumbnail" thumbnail_crop="0"]March 29th - April 7th
The Karuna Sanctuary, Saywell Rd, Katoomba NSW 2780
Natural Samādhi is the original teaching of the Buddha on how to develop mental collectedness (Samādhi), by way of uplifting the mind and relaxing bodily tension. This is what the Buddha called wise practice (Right effort). Learning to use the vehicle of Calm and Clarity (Samatha-Vipassanā), meditators deepen in their experience of a happy and composed mind, and drink deep, the bliss of the higher mind (Adhicitta). For a mind well trained in this timeless wisdom and free from the five mental obstructions, there is no need to wish for happiness, since happiness pervades every moment of existence. The collected mind is happy, and a happy mind is collected (Sukhino cittaṃ samādhiyati). Developing awareness of Loving-Kindness to Nibbāna, using right effort (6Rs). In the spirit of Tranquil Wisdom Insight Meditation (TWIM) taught by Most Ven. Bhante Vimalaramsi, Bhante Ānanda’s teacher.Retreat Experience
The Karuna Centre is located in 374 acres of natural forest 1000 metres above sea level. The surrounding area is a habitat for Kangaroo families and native birds such as wattle birds and kookaburras. Within the grounds of the Karuna Centre, there are scenic bush walking tracks. Meditators can enjoy walks that lead to a beautiful waterfall and dramatic cliff-top views of the Megalong Valley.
For all inquiries:retreat@mettacentre.com
About the Teacher
Bhante Ānanda
Bhante Ānanda is a Canadian Buddhist monk trained in the teachings and the monastic way of life of early Buddhism. In 2018, after practicing and learning from a vast spectrum of different spiritual practices including Hinduism, Hatha yoga, traditional Native American wisdom, Ayurveda, Traditional Chinese Medicine, Vipassanā meditation and much more, Bhante Ānanda discovered the Teachings of Bhante Vimalaramsi.
Highly impressed with his meditation technique and his wisdom, he decided to go forth (Pabbaja) at his center, Dhamma Sukha Meditation Centre (DSMC) in Missouri, and spent a whole summer in the presence of Bhante Vimalaramsi. During his stay at DSMC, he had the opportunity to attend closely on his teacher and to sit on meditators’ interviews by Bhante Vimalaramsi’s side for the whole summer, directly learning from him for several months.
At the end of the summer, Bhante Vimalaramsi gave Bhante Ānanda his permission to teach. Bhante Ānanda then moved to Canada as a solitary forest monk and founded the HeartDhamma community and the Heartwood Hermitage.
Begin the Journey
Embracing the whole of the Buddha’s teaching, Bhante Ānanda’s approach tends toward Natural collectedness of mind (Dhamma Samādhi) through, what he calls the two wings of awakening; Joy and letting go. Which culminates in the direct experience of Nibbāna, by way of wisely developing the seven supports of awakening (Sambojjhaṅgas) and Boundless Love (Mettā).
He is the author of:
Open Heart
A Guide from Boundless Love Meditation to Nibbāna
Bhāvanā
The Buddha’s Path to Awakening & Wholesome Mental Development
Pūjā
Recitals of Dhamma
Most Ven. Bhante Vimalaramsi's Teaching
But it is only after many long retreats that he discovered the first modern translation of the the Majjhima Nikāya, the Buddha’s original discourses by Bhante Ñāṇamoli and Bhikkhu Bodhi.
He was then so inspired by the Buddha’s own words that he left for a cave in Thailand, where he started practicing directly from the Buddha’s own words. His discovery was life changing and shortly afterwards, he synthesized a meditation technique which called Tranquil Wisdom Insight Meditation (TWIM).
TWIM teaches how to use the four immeasurable states of the heart: Boundless Love, boundless compassion, boundless joy and boundless calm, in a natural, gradual and linear sequence, using, as a compass, what he called the 6Rs (Recognize, Release, Relax, Re-Smile, Return, Repeat). The culmination of which leads to a perfectly clear and still mind and the direct experience of Nibbāna.
Since then, thousands of meditators have greatly benefited from Bhante Vimalaramsi’s teaching and have experienced profound levels of liberation, freedom and happiness.
Retreat Overview
This is a time for simple living and participants need to bring their own pillows, sleeping bags or bed sheets and doona, towels, torch, toiletries etc. Accommodation is selected on a first come first serve basis so it's important they attend on time for the registration. We recommend wearing indoor shoes or warm socks in the meditation hall, a shoe-free area, and mosquito repellent for the warmer season. Orientation:
The retreat welcomes you with a grounding orientation, along with beginning Loving-Kindness (Mettā) meditation instructions on the first day, as well as how to use the 6Rs.
Meditation periods are flexible and alternate between sitting and walking meditation, as per everyone’s level. There are mainly two blocks dedicated for meditation, which allows advance meditators to sit for longer periods of time, without being disturbed and insures that those who begin on this path, have the freedom to follow their own needs, under the guidance of the teacher.
Waking up early to make the most of the day, meditators gather in the meditation hall every morning to freshen their minds with renewing their virtue and remembering the highest refuges, and letting their minds soak in a few short essential sayings of the Buddha.
Participants will receive personal guidance from the teacher, on meditators’ interviews. This ensures that each participant’s meditation is carefully nurtured by insightful advice and ensures good, steady progress. Since this meditation changes and evolves constantly, close monitoring is necessary and new meditation instructions are usually given during these personal interviews.
Breakfast is served early and lunch is taken before noon to allow an optimal diet for meditation, following the Buddha’s advice. Tea is available in the afternoon and no evening meal is served in order for meditators to enjoy lightness and strength in their meditation. An exception is made for participants with a medical condition who require an evening meal.
Every evening at 7 pm, all meditators gather in the hall of a discourse on the Buddha’s teaching (Dhamma). The talks are framed around the original discourses of the Buddha (Suttas). Themes vary and include practical, down to earth meditation instructions, methods to let go of mental distractions, the development of the Buddha’s wisdom, the cultivation of wholesome, skillful mental states and so forth… Meditators will get to hear various suttas complimented with anecdotes, real life stories, relevant and inspiring poems along with a certain dose of good humor.
At lunch, Bhante Ānanda comes for alms in the dining area. Participants may get a chance to practice their generosity and offer food in his bowl and receive a good wishes.
Accommodation
The Train Kutis
[ngg src="galleries" ids="5" display="basic_thumbnail" thumbnail_crop="0"]Main Lodge
[ngg src="galleries" ids="6" display="basic_thumbnail" thumbnail_crop="0"]Price
On a Donation Basis /// The Dhamma is priceless /// There is no fixed price.
This retreat is sponsored by the generosity of old students who have benefited from these retreats in the past and faithful donors who genuinely wish to see the teaching of the Buddha on mental development and meditation help as many as possible. Participants are invited to practice their generosity in order to make these retreats possible to all in the future! Without your support, these retreats cannot exist!
Sponsorship Program
In collaboration with the Mettā Centre, we have developed a sponsorship program that aims at offering the retreat on donation basis (free) to meditators on retreat. Each place on retreat is sponsored by an experienced student or a generous donor who felt moved to offer a meditator the chance to sit the retreat. The idea was instigated by Tina, the mother of Mettā Center, in the spirit of World Vision’s “Sponsor a hungry child”, we are pleased to announce our new philathropic program “Sponsor a Meditator”! Learn more on the program’s page by clicking below.
We have done everything we could to keep the price as low and accessible as possible. We are hoping to be able to make this retreat by-donation only next year or in future years.
For all inquiries:
retreat@mettacentre.com
On retreat, meditators are expected to follow instructions precisely and practice sitting meditation for a minimum of 7 hours everyday, without any other activities than meditation, as taught by the teacher.
Please book a retreat only if you are certain to fulfill these conditions and are certain to attend. Those who do not follow these criteria will be asked to leave. This is not a free vacation. Please respect the donations of those who have truly benefited in the past and practice wholeheartedly!
Previous Retreats
2023 - Blue Mountains Retreat Album
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