Silent Vipassana Retreat
Thanksgiving Meditation Retreat in Chilliwack, with Brian Ruhe
Practicing Breath, Loving Kindness and Walking Meditation in the Theravada Buddhist Forest tradition
Saturday 10:30 am Oct. 10 – Monday 4:00 pm Oct. 12, 2015
Listen to talks from the greatest minds among Western Buddhist monks and nuns.
Join Brian! Retreat held at the Vipassana – Bhavana Retreat Centre in Chilliwack which is two farm houses on an ideal eight acre farm. We finish on the holiday Monday at 4:00 pm.
RETREAT FORMAT
This will be a silent retreat and an ‘eight precept retreat’ (you can Google that) meaning no food after lunch, unless you have health reasons. Silence means no talking unless it is discussion during talks. This is to allow yourself and others to get into the meditative space. Experienced meditators come for that silence so this needs to be respected.
Meet anytime after 8:00 am on Saturday morning. First meeting at 10:30 am, then lunch at 12:00 pm. Wake up at 6:00 am. We will have three hour periods in the mornings and afternoons where you can practice walking meditation and sitting meditation for as long as you like. In addition to Brian’s talks, we will have recorded dhamma talks by Ayya Khema, Ajahn Thanissaro and other Buddhist monks. If you have a meditation cushion you can bring it but they have a good supply. Dress should be modest in the monastery. You have the option of wearing all white, if you want, which denotes an eight precept retreat.
The retreat committee will arrange vegetarian meals for the group. We have a full kitchen; people can take turns cooking and cleaning up.
ACCOMMODATION
The sleeping conditions are dorm style for men and women with two to five to a room. Retreatants need to bring a mattress or camping foam or some kind of cushion for their bed and a sleeping bag or blankets, and pillow cases for the sitting cushions provided. You may be sleeping on a hard wooden board with no mattress, or on the rug. You can also use a tent if you want a quiet corner of the field. There will be some blankets available there. Bring your own towel and toiletries.
TEACHERS
The instructor, Brian Ruhe has taught Buddhism and meditation for 20 years. He follows the Theravada Forest tradition at forestsangha.org . He is the author of two Buddhist books and guided meditation CDs, which will be available. Ajahn Santy is the resident monk from Lao and he will give some teachings as well.
LOCATION
Vipassana – Bhavana Retreat Centre 4214 Wilson Road, Chilliwack in Yarrow. Google Maps location:
Photos of a previous retreat are on the website at: https://www.brianruhe.ca/category/retreat-photos/
All photo albums at: https://picasaweb.google.com/home
A YouTube video from our Nov. 2014 retreat here is at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ziYtyMZjFYo
COST
There is a deposit of $50 to confirm a space. It is refundable if you cancel more than a week before the retreat. Send deposit to Brian Ruhe by PayPal using the Donate button on the brianruhe.ca website or email address brian@brianruhe.ca or use another method. There will be one donation box for Brian and one for the retreat centre. Suggested donation of $100+ in total (includes the deposit) for Brian, includes the food cost. No suggested donation for the centre. Donations are essential and gratefully accepted to support the centre and to go to Brian’s work supporting the dhamma. Dana, which means generosity, is the Buddhist practice of extending generosity in gratitude for the teachings.
CONTACT
Brian Ruhe email: brian@brianruhe.ca Tel. 604-738-8475. Cell. 778-232-2282.
TRANSPORTATION
A car pool is being arranged. Contact Brian if you need a ride or can offer a ride.
VOLUNTEERS
Please let me know if you would like to help planning or promoting the retreat, getting some food, preparing meals or managing things at the retreat.
2 Responses
Martin Oei, your brother is adaolbre! I believe in “唔係呢類人係唔會做呢類嘢 ” Even if your brother works at IBank, he wouldn’t be interested in nightlife. Maybe out of curiousity, some nerds will go check out what’s fun out there. But if they are not really interested, they wouldn’t be having fun. I believe in “free will”, people choose what they enjoy to do with their lives. And we can see their 品質 by looking at their hobbies/activities.
This is my second rtreeat for the month of May at my brother’s cabin in Lake Almanor CA. It’s in northern CA. between Red Bluff and Susanville. There’s a period of adjustment in being here as I have to adjust to the higher altitude and the fact that I’m quite alone in this rustic cabin on a quiet lake. It’s already the 16th and I’m still adjusting in that I have had the flu for the past ten days or so. It’s just beautiful here. My few visitors are the Canadian geese that come by every day.I’m up here to work on my second book and still struggle with getting the words onto the page. So much easier to journal and do exercises or prompts to keep me writing.As they say, No matter where you go, you take yourself with you.