Summer Art & Meditation Retreat

This meditation retreat is open to anyone. It can be a very powerful introduction to mindfulness-awareness for the beginning meditator or an opportunity to deepen an existing meditation practice for a long-time practitioner. The basic daily schedule consists of alternating periods of sitting and walking meditation with time for talks, study, and a short work period. Contemplative art exercises and activities will also be incorporated into the schedule. These exercises allow the participant to explore how meditation practice can be extended into other activities in their everyday lives.

The theme for this meditation retreat is "Contemplative Art". Having a theme allows the basic mindfulness/awareness technique to be connected with other forms and activities. These activities have the potential of enriching or extending the mindfulness/awareness practice into other contexts besides sitting meditation. For this program, we will use the contemplative arts to explore working intensely with the mind/body as a unit. This exploration can become the ground of discovery for leading a more creative, mindful, and artful life.

This program is not meant solely for practicing or aspiring artists. Nor is it meant to substitute for parts of the formal Shambhala Art program. The exercises and activities involving contemplative arts will be used to explore how meditation practice can be extended into our daily lives; whether we are making a cup of tea, having a conversation, painting on canvas, or writing a poem or novel. Whether or not we are practicing artists, when we wake up we can all lead our life as a work of art.

• Silence and functional speech will be observed during the retreat
• Sitting Meditation: We will work with basic sitting meditation or shamatha practice. Shamatha ("peaceful abiding") allows us to experience the present moment with a light and intimate touch.
• Walking Meditation: Mindful walking practices are incorporated into the daily schedule, cultivating a sense of presence while in motion.
• Individual Meditation Instruction: Each person receives guidance and support from an experienced Meditation Instructor. Your individual questions about your own practice can be answered during these meetings.
• Contemplative meals: Meals are taken in the shrineroom while maintaining silence and mindfulness.
• Talks given by Senior Teachers: The senior teachers will share their understanding and insight of the view and path of meditation.
• Study Periods and Group Discussions: Time is set aside for study and contemplation, allowing participants to explore the concepts behind mindfulness-awareness meditation. We will also engage in group discussion in order to share experience and learn from one another.
• Nature: Karmê Chöling is spectacular in the summer. Much time is spent outdoors, experiencing and appreciating the natural world and bringing that into the various art projects.
• Open time: Get ready for garden walks, singing frogs, ‘looking and seeing’, object arrangement, open hearts and much more. Come play, dance, and create!

In the face of all the uncertainty and changes in our world, a meditation retreat with emphasis on contemplative arts restores and refreshes our capacity to live. On all levels, it allows us to communicate and work with joy, skillful means, creativity, and compassion.