Events

Sunday, November 19th

1:00 – 3:00 p.m.

Paul Derda Recreation Center

The mind which is stable, calm, and clear has innate qualities which naturally shine forth.  These qualities – loving kindness, compassion, joy, and equanimity – are what allow us to experience the best of human life, an open heart.

In this workshop you will learn or deepen your understanding of the practice of mindfulness meditation through teachings and direct experience of sitting and walking meditation practice.  Following the exploration of calming and stabilizing the mind through mindfulness practice, you will be guided in practices which cultivate the brilliant qualities of an open heart.

To register: PDRC

For more information and to register: Heart of Mindfulness

March 7–10, 2024

Drala Mountain Center

Inspired by the teachings of Jon Kabat-Zinn, this 3-day retreat offers both an introduction and a deepening experience of mindfulness, for being more fully present to our lives. Various tools for engaging the demands of our lives and for supporting inquiry into fundamental health and wholeness will be drawn from MBSR — the most universal expression of mindfulness.

Through embodied practices of stillness and movement — including sitting meditation, mindful yoga, mindful eating, and awareness in nature — the ongoing practice of being present to life will be further supported by periods of silence.

For more information and to register: Mindful Living 

April 21 – 26, 2024

Drala Mountain Center

with Janet Solyntjes

Mindfulness and awareness training allows one to fully receive the unpredictable, extraordinary, and sometimes heartbreaking dance of life, as it appears within our own personal experience. The inclination of our heart’s longing for contentment and freedom reflects our innate beauty and wisdom. Opening to this present moment illuminates the vividness of reality, the tenderness of the heart, and the magic of being alive, and prepares us to meet the challenges of this life with awareness and love.  It is through this path of opening and softening that we discover our own essential nature, our innate goodness, and the innate goodness of all humanity.

“Whatever exists in us is a natural situation. It is another dimension of natural beauty.  People sometimes go to great lengths to appreciate nature by climbing mountains, going on safari to see giraffes and lions in Africa, or taking a cruise to Antarctica. It is much simpler and more immediate to appreciate the natural beauty of ourselves.”      Mindfulness in Action, Chögyam Trungpa

The Sitting in Beauty retreat is an intensive 5-day silent meditation program that emphasizes the deep understanding and practice of mindfulness meditation in its most universal and secular expression. In this retreat we will explore the journey of opening and softening through periods of sitting and walking meditation practice, gentle movement exercises, and talks by senior teachers to deepen the understanding of the practice. Each afternoon there will be a period of time to rest or take a walk around the land of Shambhala Mountain Center.

While participants will be in silence for the majority of the retreat, there will also be an opportunity to meet with a teacher to discuss your meditation practice.

For more information and to register: Sitting in Beauty Retreat

For more information and to register: coming soon!

August 20–23, 2024

Drala Mountain Center

Inspired by the teachings of Jon Kabat-Zinn, this 3-day retreat offers both an introduction and a deepening experience of mindfulness, for being more fully present to our lives. Various tools for engaging the demands of our lives and for supporting inquiry into fundamental health and wholeness will be drawn from MBSR — the most universal expression of mindfulness.

Through embodied practices of stillness and movement — including sitting meditation, mindful yoga, mindful eating, and awareness in nature — the ongoing practice of being present to life will be further supported by periods of silence.

For more information and to register: Mindful Living

September 22–26, 2024

Drala Mountain Center

with Rob Dube and Janet Solyntjes

The Leading with Genuine Care Leadership Retreat (formerly the donothing Leadership Retreat) offers business leaders, entrepreneurs, and those seeking a more mindful life with the most rewarding challenge they may ever take — a leadership-focused mindfulness and meditation retreat.

Discover why meditation and mindfulness practices can positively impact your life. After slowing down, unplugging and looking within, you’ll grasp why presence and awareness is the greatest gift we can offer ourselves and others.

To find out more and to register:Do Nothing Retreat