| Deep Spring Center for Meditation and Spiritual Inquiry |
| Meditation and Other Retreats (updated 7/22/08) |
A Meditation Retreat
A meditation retreat is a wonderful opportunity to experience our own inner being while sharing in the support of others. Mindfulness throughout the day will be a focus, with alternating periods of sitting and walking practice. The retreat will be held in silence, with instructions for beginning and advanced meditators, evening talks, optional group meetings and private interviews with the teachers.
This kind of retreat may not be appropriate for all people. If you have concerns about your emotional stability under the pressures of a deeply introspective meditation experience, please discuss your concerns with a Deep Spring teacher prior to registering.
Retreat costs represent our expense to rent facilities and provide meals and other services. Teachings are offered on a dana basis. If finances are a concern, please let us know.
Dana (pronounced "dah-na") is a Pali word meaning "gift" or "giving." It is closely related to the virtue of generosity and is expressed in many forms—the offering and sharing of our time, energy, knowledge/expertise, material items and financial resources. Dana is a purely volitional act of giving in which we develop our ability to let go, convey our compassion and caring, demonstrate our commitment, and acknowledge our interdependence and connectedness.
The monthly calendars show the schedule of retreats, classes and other events.
DSC Retreats
| Unless specified otherwise in retreat's description, to register
for the DSC retreats, mail the full fee or a deposit of 50%
(check payable to Deep Spring Center) to Pat Shalis, 2250 Chaucer Drive, Ann Arbor, MI 48103.
Please identify the retreat (name and dates) and include your name, mailing address, phone
number and email address with your registration. For more information contact DSC or Pat
at pshalis@tds.net or
734-996-3743. Full payment is requested by 15 days prior to retreat. Your payment/deposit is refundable up to one month prior to the retreat; after that it is refundable only if someone is on the waitlist who can take your place. A $25 cancellation fee will be assessed. Note: Registration requirements and refund policy that differ from the above will be so stated in the retreat's description. |
| Meditation: Day of Practice Carol Blotter All levels | Chelsea, MI |
Sundays as scheduled |
|
| $30 per day paid to Michigan Friends Center; no one denied participation for financial reasons. One-day retreats are a great opportunity to enjoy deep meditation and to experience support for our practice. The day includes brief meditation instructions, sitting and walking meditation, a dharma talk and, if requested, private interviews with a teacher. Please bring your own lunch (there is a refrigerator). Chairs are available; but please bring your own cushions if you prefer the carpeted floor. In the tradition of dana, gifts of generosity, the teachings are offered freely. The teacher receives no payment. At the program, there will be a dana basket for free-will offering. These retreats are fundraisers for the Michigan Friends Center and Deep Spring Center: all proceeds above expenses will benefit these two non-profit organizations. For more information or to register, please call Carol Blotter, 734-475-0942. | 9:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. check-in begins at 8:30 a.m. |
Aug. 3, 2008 Oct. 5, 2008 Nov. 2, 2008
|
|
| Day of Meditation at
Michigan Friends Center Barbara Brodsky and Carol Blotter All levels | Saturday and/or Sunday |
Sept. 20–21, 2008 | |
| $30 per day paid to Michigan Friends Center; no one
denied participation for financial reasons. Join us for a day in a woodland sanctuary on the
lake at Michigan Friends Center in Chelsea. Bring a bag lunch (and your swimsuit). This
meditation day is held in silence and is appropriate for beginners and those with Vipassana
(insight meditation) experience. Experienced practitioners may choose the quiet room some of
the day and will have separate instruction. Instruction in sitting and walking meditation will
be provided at all levels, and there will be time for questions. This retreat is a fundraiser
for the Michigan Friends Center and Deep Spring Center: all proceeds above expenses will
benefit these two non-profit organizations. Dana will be accepted by the teachers. For
more information, call Carol at 734-475-0942. To register, send payment with your name, address, phone and email to Carol Blotter, 780 N. Freer
Road, Chelsea, MI 48118. See flyer with registration form. Attend both days, $50, to create a weekend retreat! |
9:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. check-in begins at 8:30 a.m. | ||
| Fall Retreat at Howell Nature Center Dhamma as the Base for Deepening Practice Barbara Brodsky, John Orr and Aaron Experienced | Howell, MI | Oct. 24–26, 2008 | |
| $160; $135 if paid in full by October 3. This will be a silent practice weekend, interspersed with dhamma discussions focused on understanding how the many teachings of liberation fit together and support practice. This retreat is for experienced meditators, such as students in the fall 2008 class with Barbara and meditation teachers; for others, permission of Barbara is required before registering. | |||
| Spring
Vipassana Basics Retreat
DSC Teachers All levels—especially for first-time retreatants, beginners and anyone wanting to work with the basics | Ann Arbor, MI | Mar. 20–22, 2009 |
|
| Costs and details to be determined. Residential and commuter options. Held at the Rudolf Steiner House at 1923 Geddes Avenue. | |||
| For registration or more information, contacts are listed below. |
| Southern Dharma Vipassana
Retreat Barbara Brodsky and John Orr | Hot Springs, NC | Oct. 10–15, 2008 | |
| A small retreat; a wonderful opportunity to deepen practice in a beautiful and intimate setting. For information contact info@southerndharma.org. | |||
| Val Halla
Vipassana Retreat Barbara Brodsky, John Orr and Aaron | Chapel Hill, NC | Oct. 31–Nov. 2, 2008 | |
| For more information contact John at 919-286-4754 or email retreat@newhopesangha.org. | |||
| Seattle Area Vipassana
Retreat Barbara Brodsky and Aaron | Seattle, WA | Nov. 14–16, 2008 | |
| Instruction will be provided for beginning and experienced meditators. For more information contact Doron at 206-779-9808 or Doron@Weisbarth.com. | |||
| Vipassana & Healing Retreats Barbara Brodsky, John Orr and Aaron |
Abadiânia, Brazil | Jan. 11–25,
2009 May 17–31, 2009 |
|
| A retreat at Casa de Dom Inácio, John of God's healing center in Brazil, includes guidance for the center, regular group meditation and private/group interviews with the teachers. For more information see www.vipassanahealing.com. | |||
| Senior Student Personal Meditation Retreat Barbara Brodsky |
Brooklyn, MI | Feb. 28–Mar. 6, 2009 | |
| For more information contact Dorothy Ann at 734-930-0192 or mickeyda@sbcglobal.net. | |||