ELEMENTAL TRUTH
Silent meditation retreat with Mala Sikka and Terry Hagan
“Elevate your experience and remain wide open like the sky.
Expand your mindfulness and remain pervasive like the earth.
Steady your attention and remain unshakable like a mountain.
Brighten your awareness and remain shining like a flame.
Clear your thought free wakefulness and remain lucid like a crystal”.
– Dakpo Tashi Namgyal (16th Century)
~ Do you ever find yourself trapped by emotional patterns of action and reaction?
Join Terry and Mala to meditate with the Five elements of Earth, Water, Fire, Air and Space. By directly experiencing the qualities of stability, flow, temperature, vibration and space we create the skill and means to see the truth of each situation and free ourselves of habitual limitations.
Throughout the day, we are moved, pulled, and occasionally trapped by thoughts, feelings, and emotions. Shifting states of mind are subtle and may keep us from being present, as mood changes are often only recognised when mind is already lost. Through the direct experience of elemental qualities of stability (earth), flow (water), temperature (fire), vibration (air), and space, we will cultivate the skill and means to see the truth of each situation. Meditating on and being aware of the movement of elemental forces within the body/mind deepens insight into shifting states of mind, catches unseen emotional patterns, balances the mind, and grants freedom.
This retreat with include dharma talks and meditation classes with time to ask questions, gentle movement practice to assist this magical dance of the elements, working indoors and outdoors, using the natural mind and environment as our guide.
We will do specific daily elemental meridian stretches( based on the 5 elements) and some basic chi gung working within our own abilities.
The retreat will be held in silence apart from daily classes.
There will an opportunity to have one on one interviews and support for your on going practice.
Please note: Registration is accepted for anyone who can come for less if they sign up for the beginning of the retreat. Priority will be given for those signing for whole course.
Mala Sikka and Terry Hagan have committed most of their lives to Dharma and have been practicing meditation for over 40 years. Together they completed a three year retreat in India under the guidance of Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche. Both Terry and Mala enjoyed their role as resident teachers of the Dharma Centre of Canada for over a decade and during this time served as spiritual advisors to the board. Terry also served a three year term as a spiritual director for the Dharma Centre. At present, they serve as the resident teachers of the Namgyal Dharma House and continue to support the Dharma Centre as Core Teachers.
Important Details
When: May 5-14, 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 at 5pm on the last day.
Rates: $1,062 - non-members $945 - 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. Mala and Terry 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.