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Mountain Meadow Meditation
August 30, 2015 @ 2:30 am - 9:00 am
“There are these roots of trees, these empty huts. Meditate, bhikkhus, do not delay or else you will regret it later.” – the Buddha’s instructions to his followers
Buddhists have a long tradition of entering the wilderness – from the Buddha and his followers meditating in caves on Vulture Peak over two thousand years ago; to Tibetan monks who even today sit in caves throughout the Himalaya; to the wandering Zen monks of Japan; to the forest tradition of Thailand.
“The Buddha got enlightened in a forest… Being in natural surroundings, you don’t have to perform; you don’t have to be anything. Your role as someone with a university degree or as the third sibling in your family is irrelevant to the lizards and the trees. You’re just another thing in the forest. .. you’re there with the simplest elements of your being: breathing, feeling the heat or cold, learning to live with the other creatures of the forest. You’re moving from a person-centered perspective to one centered on nature.” – Ajahn Amaro
Join us for a day in our own beautiful forests and mountains.
We will gather at the Big Meadow trailhead and walk together to Big Meadow, about a 25-minute walk at a moderate pace up a rocky but well-maintained trail. At Big Meadow we will establish ourselves in a lovely glade on the far side of the meadow, and then alternate between sitting and walking for the day, with a break for lunch and a dharma talk. Meditation subjects will include a big sky meditation, contemplation of the lives of other living creatures, and more.
Please see the attached flyer for more info on logistics, what to bring, physical demands. An RSVP is strongly requested for this retreat.