Growing and Letting Go:
An Early Spring Retreat
Early Spring is a time of growth. In nature everything is blooming and blossoming. When we pause and get still, we can witness this new life all around us. On this retreat we invite you to pause from the busyness of life, to come into stillness and to observe this process in the natural environment of Hard Labor Creek State Park. We will use nature as a support to also look inward, asking the question, “what do we want to cultivate and grow?”
In the process of exploring what heart-mind qualities we are interested in growing, we will look at what can be let go. Just as in the natural world, there is always dying back and emerging, this is also true internally for each of us. Are there core beliefs, old habits, or narratives you would like to abandon? Are there ways of being that have not been nurturing to you or others?
This retreat is also a time to get in touch with these and remember the Buddha’s teaching.
“Abandon what is unskillful,
One can abandon the unskillful,
If it were not possible, I would not ask you to do so.
If this abandoning of the unskillful would bring harm and suffering,
I would not ask you to abandon it.
But as the abandoning of the unskillful brings benefit and happiness,
Therefore, I say, “abandon what is unskillful.”
Cultivate the good,
You can cultivate the good.
If it were not possible, I would not ask you to do it.
If this cultivation of the good would bring harm and suffering,
I would not ask you to cultivate it.
But as the cultivation of the good brings benefit and happiness,
Therefore, I say, “Cultivate the good!”
-Buddha
Join us for this day of sitting and walking meditation. We will also have unstructured time for a mindful lunch and simply being in nature.
Saturday, April 20, 2024
9am - 3pm
Join us for a day-long retreat at Hard Labor Creek State Park (map) on Saturday, April 20 from 10:00am-3:00pm. Coffee and pastries will be available from 9:15-9:45am for those arriving early.
Nestled at the end of a long grassy field and a still lake is a simple group shelter where we will convene for a day of rest, reflection, meditation, solitude, and connection. Spending time both outside the shelter and in, we will practice together in communion with nature.
In noble silence, we will be invited to listen to the wisdom of the natural world around us, attend to the vastness that holds aliveness and stillness, open into greater compassion, and deepen our felt sense of belonging.
We will alternate periods of sitting meditation with mindful movement. Susan and Stephanie will hold space and offer brief dharma talks and guided meditations to support the flow throughout the day.
Please wear layered clothing so you can regulate your own temperature and shoes comfortable for walking.
Bring $5 (cash) for parking.
There will be traditional metal chairs that are available but not necessarily comfortable for all bodies, so please feel free to bring your own chair or meditation zafu and Zabuton. You may also bring a yoga mat or blanket if you prefer lying down meditation.
You will want to bring a brown bag lunch. There is a microwave in the shelter (no oven), and there is also a refrigerator.
If you have specific questions regarding this event that are not covered here, please send an email to retreatinfo@atlinsight.org.
We hope you will join us!!!
Upon completion of your registration, you will be redirected to our Dana page where you can make your donation in any amount. We are suggesting a per person donation of $40 to cover the expenses of this retreat, including a baseline donation to the teachers. The generosity of donating over and above the suggested amount will enable the Sangha to continue offering opportunities for others to hear and practice the Dharma. Please include the word "Retreat" in the Notes section when using Paypal, Venmo, or Zelle. If you're using the Paypal Giving Fund, check the box to share your name and email with us.
