FWBO Regulars Retreat 2008 - (updated 05/05/08)

The following FWBO Regulars Retreats are suitable for those who already practice the mindfulness of breathing and metta bhavana meditations and are familiar with the 7-fold puja, as taught within the Friends of the Western Buddhist Order. These retreats will be more intense than introductory retreats involving more meditation and silence.

May
Spaces Available	2-9	Compassionate Communication
June
Full - waiting list	6-13	Wolf at the Door - Writing as Awakening
July
Full - waiting list	25-1 Aug	Families Retreat
November
Spaces Available	7-14	NVC
December
Spaces Available	22-29	Stilling & Seeing Through
Spaces Available	29-5 Jan	Women's Winter Retreat

*It may be possible to book for the weekend only of any retreats marked with an asterisk. Please contact Dhanakosa for details

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Stilling and Seeing Through
Feb 1 - 8 (For men & women)
Dec 22 - 29

Led by Smritiratna

This retreat offers a way to use your mindfulness and metta meditations (stilling) as the basis for cultivating insight (seeing through) into impermanence, interdependence and the Dharma refuge. The Dharma refuge is a way to find your balance in the midst of the inter-flowing nature of reality, and then take heart. This ‘balance’ depends upon many supportive conditions. Drawing upon the Buddhist tradition, we will be exploring these conditions as the ethical, devotional and meditative basis for developing insight. Meditation retreats are generally held mostly in silence. However this introduction to insight meditation will include a shorter, 3 day silent period.

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Wolf at the Door Creative Writing Retreat - Writing as Awakening
June 6 -13

Led by Ananda & Manjusvara

Imagination is the secret ingredient in spiritual life, the faculty that brings everything into relationship and generates empathy with others. On this week we enter the imagination through writing practice, meditation, devotion and discussion, and employ these techniques to enhance both our experience of being alive and our communication with others. In the process we turn Dhanakosa and its surroundings into a magical place. You need be neither a writer nor an experienced meditator to share in this journey; just willing to let language work through you and reveal the world. Suitable for those familiar with basic FWBO meditations. Ananda and Manjusvara have led these popular workshops for ten years throughout the world. They are well-known for their generous and encouraging teaching. Manjusvara's book "Writing your Way" is published by Windhorse.

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Compassionate Communication
May 2 - 9

Led by Vajrasara

Want to listen to yourself and others in a kinder, deeper way? Want to tackle difficult conversations with skill and confidence? Nonviolent Communication has practices that help us open our hearts and be more alive to our values and motivations. This retreat will introduce the principles of NVC, with a chance to experience them in lively exercises. There will be meditation, ritual and free time for walking and reflecting. Suitable for those who are familiar with meditation as taught in the FWBO. No experience of NVC is required. Led by Vajrasara, an experienced retreat leader and NVC trainer, supported by Abhayakirti & Karunavaca.

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This popular retreat for regulars is held over an especially reflective time of year. It offers an opportunity to look back over the previous year and to anticipate the next - with meditation, discussion, dharma study and a big ritual on New Year’s Eve. Suitable for friends and mitras who wish to deepen their Buddhist practice and who have been on at least one week-long retreat with the FWBO. Led by Parami & Vajrasara.

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Families retreats
Mar 21 - 28
Jul 25 – Aug 1

These popular retreats allow Buddhist families to enjoy the benefits of practicing with others. Adults and children can have an enjoyable and enriching time exploring the Dharma both together and separately.

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