Cultivating The Heart of Love: A Daylong Meditation Retreat

Saturday April 6 from 10 am to 4:30 pm ET
Retreat Cost: $40 registration fee plus dana* for the teacher

This retreat will focus on cultivation of Lovingkindness (Metta) and Mindfulness (Sati).

“Loving Kindness is in everybody’s heart, everybody’s mind, everybody’s life. There may not be a single living being who does not have the root of Loving Kindness. Most human beings don’t know this. They don’t know how much loving friendliness they have within themselves. It is buried under the rubble of hatred, anger, and resentment. It is something we have within ourselves all the time and we have to find a way to bring it out. When somebody cultivates Loving Kindness, that person’s heart becomes warm. When we cultivate Loving Kindness within ourselves, only then do we know how relaxed, how comfortable, how peaceful we can feel.” – Bhante Henepola Gunaratana

The retreat will be held in noble silence and will include alternating periods of sitting and walking meditation, mindful movement, instructions, and reflections, with a mid-day lunch break to practice mindful eating. The schedule will also include an optional discussion period to reflect on how to skillfully apply the wisdom of the practice in our daily life. This retreat is suitable for all levels of practice; however some meditation experience is suggested.

Bring your lunch and any appropriate props you will need for your sitting meditation practice. Rising Fawn Gardens has chairs, large bolsters, and blankets.  Wear comfortable clothing and shoes for walking outside.

*Dana or generosity, the practice of giving and receiving, is the heart and foundation of the Buddhist path. The Buddha taught generosity as a means of liberating our hearts, transforming clinging and encouraging non-attachment. Janka is dedicated to offering the teachings, and her guidance freely. What this means is that she receives no compensation for teaching retreats and relies instead on the generosity of retreat participants. There will be an opportunity to offer Dana to Janka at the end of the retreat.

Read more about dana practice.

There is one work-study scholarship available for those in need. Please contact us to inquire or if you have any questions about the retreat.