Poster by Lisa Cowen
“Approaching Natural Mind” Retreat
with Lisa Cowen
August 3 - 7, 2023
The forest retreat environment of the Dharma Centre is a perfect place to develop familiarity with natural mind, from the thrill of a fleeting glimpse to the uninterrupted continuum we call awakening.
In this retreat we will rely on classical Buddhist meditations that have natural supports: the breath, the senses, nature (dappled light, trees, rock formations, the elements), humanness (our bodies, feelings and mental formations, as well as craft, food, energy cycles.)
Developing our supports but not gripping them tightly, we will invite, seek, and wait attentively for sightings of the ever-present natural mind.
The practices in this silent retreat are suitable for all levels of meditative experience.
Notes for natural mind retreat
Wondering what to expect from the Natural Mind retreat? Here is a loose course outline. Please note, not all exercises may be the best approach for each person at a given time, so these topics and exercises may be adjusted as we go along, on an individual or group basis.
Intro to Gardiner’s multiple intelligences: Naturalistic Intelligence
Exercise: the square foot of earth or the sitting-spot
Spiritual Naturalism: an antidote to Spiritual Materialism?
Exercise: walking meditation in the forest
Exercise: refuge, mandala offering
Biorhythms: Mindfulness, habits, healing and retreat-craft in a human body-mind.
Exercise: mindfulness of breathing
Exercise: mindfulness of eating
Exercise: body scan.
Wakeful, receptive waiting: how to get to know nature and invite awakening
Exercise: draw a pointillism leaf: exploring focus and field as they relate to meditation and experiencing nature
Exercise: beyond naming - get to know a found object in 100 ways
Exercise: ice cube meditation
Buddhism 101 in nature:
Looking at trees to explore impermanence, non-self, interconnectedness.
Looking at minerals to explore forming and dissolving
Looking at animals and insects to explore instinct, projection, empathy and emotion
Experiencing embodiment to explore suffering, bliss, striving for unfoldment and maintaining homeostasis.
Establish calm and then wake it up: finding dynamic balance and breaking through the veil of illusion:
Exercise: switching between samatha (calm) and vipassana (insight)
Uncontrived, just as it is:
Exercise: practicing switching between meditation and non-meditation, retreat and non-retreat
Lisa grew up studying with Namgyal Rinpoche directly as a child and young adult, and has continued on as a student of other great Dharma teachers since then. She has undertaken meditation retreats and intensive courses of study for about 25 years ranging broadly from Abhidharma to Vajrayana Yidam practices, and from Tarot to Dzogchen.
In addition to a passion for awakening, Lisa has specialized in Art and studied Psychotherapy.
She is the mother of a son who loves lego and minecraft, the custodian of an epic and rather wild vegetable garden, a working artist in the film industry, and a core founder of the Virtual Dharma Temple. She lives in Hamilton, Ontario.
Previously Lisa offered courses at the DCC such as Intro to Mindfulness, and Intro to Silent Retreat Practice, and continues a commitment to offering an accessible blend of the so-called transcendental and the so-called ordinary.
Important Details
When: August 3 - 7, 2023. Please plan to arrive between 3-5pm on the first day. The retreat will begin with a property orientation at 5:30pm followed by a light supper and the first evening class and will finish after lunch on the final day.
Rates: $500 - non-members $440 - members
(To find out how to become a member please visit our membership page)
Rates include: Single accommodation and all meals. They do not include instructor fees. Teachers are sharing their experience within the traditional Buddhist understanding of Dana. To understand more about Dana, please read the following:
What is Dana? Teachers give the teachings of awakening (Dharma) freely so that anyone, no matter their financial means can attend classes. Each time one receives teachings, it is an opportunity to consciously practice generosity. Giving money and other means of support expresses gratitude and support to the teacher and helps to ensure that these teachings continue. Each person receiving Dharma teachings determines the kind and amount of Dāna according to one’s heart and one’s financial means. When deciding how much to offer, one should think about what these teachings mean to you and try to give accordingly. It is recommended that students make an offering of dāna at the beginning of a class or retreat to establish the intention to make the most of this opportunity for one’s own progression and for the benefit of all others.
Deposit: A 50% deposit is required to hold your space upon registration.
Cancellation policy: Full refund up to 7 days before the commencement of the course. For cancellations less than 7 days prior to course begin, a $100 administrative fee will be charged.