Basic Buddhism: Cultivating Your Innate Goodness

A DHARMAKAYA CENTER RETREAT

We are all born with compassion, generosity, patience, appreciation, love, and kindness. But it’s not always easy to access these qualities during our day-to-day lives—despite repeated vows to do better. This weekend we will explore ways to cultivate our innate goodness, as a fundamental element of our overall meditation practice.

“Another fabulous and spiritually uplifting time. Thank you.”

ADDITIONAL BASIC BUDDHISM PROGRAMS: You may also be interested in:

• Basic Buddhism: Immersive Meditation Retreat, August 20-22

STAY SAFE DURING COVID-19: In the interest of safety, we are strictly limiting enrollment to 10 people; please read our COVID-19 Precautions & Preparations to understand our additional strategies.

BRING A FRIEND DISCOUNT: Do you know someone who would like this program, but hasn’t been to the Center? Bring them, and you both get a 10% discount on your entire program package. For the discount to apply, there must be two reservations, at least one of whom has not taken a Dharmakaya Center class previously. At checkout, apply the Discount Code: BringAFriend.

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

Love and compassion are central to Buddhist practice—they empower wisdom. Yet in daily life we are often faced with negative emotions—anger, hurt, jealousy—that cause us to react in unloving ways. We then set off a negative cycle that colors our experience in the future.

But what if you could stop yourself before you react? What if you could be genuinely empathetic to the person who is causing you harm? Not that you condone their actions, just that your reaction is born of logic, not emotion. Through intentional practice it is possible to shift your automatic responses, and to grow your compassion and kindness for everyone—starting with yourself.

This weekend we will focus on the teachings and meditation practices of loving kindness and compassion, jointly exploring the nature of our essential goodness. Together we will learn to break negative cycles, reduce suffering for ourselves and others, and open our hearts.

You will leave with a deeper appreciation for your own inner goodness, and the skill to choose how you relate to, react to, and view the world around you.

When not in class, relax in the Center’s beautiful and tranquil environment. Enjoy the view from the patio or a nearby hike, curl up with a book in the library or contemplate the stars while sitting by the fire pit. You are always welcome to join the regularly scheduled Center activities, including the Center’s Sunday study program.

EVENT HIGHLIGHTS

• Intimate setting with personal access to the teacher
• Interactive sessions with question and answer periods
• Personal and guided meditations
• Delicious all-vegetarian meals with locally sourced ingredients
• Option to extend stay on Personal Retreat
• Extensive library of dharma books
• Expansive wooded grounds with beautiful flora and fauna

OPEN TO ALL

There are no prerequisites for this program; it is appropriate for meditators at all levels and those simply interested in exploring the teachings.

SCHEDULE

(subject to change)

Friday, June 4

Saturday, June 5

Sunday, June 6