(This retreat has a waiting list for women; two places remain open for men.)

New Year Monastic Retreat with
Ajahn Thanasanti, Ajahn Anandabodhi and Ajahn Santacitta

December 27, 2008 - January 1, 2009

"Renewal and Letting Go"

Saranaloka Foundation is pleased to invite you to participate in a 5-day meditation retreat at Hidden Villa (26870 Moody Road, Los Altos Hills, California 94022). This is an opportunity to end the year in a quiet, reflective environment, being guided in developing a heart of loving kindness and clarity to bring to the New Year.

The retreat will be an opportunity to deepen practice using the Four Foundations of Mindfulness as the basis for contemplation. Bringing compassion, mindfulness and clear understanding into the mind/body process allows the release of habits that cause stress. Joy, inner contentment and confidence are the fruits of such release. Insight meditation is a simple and direct practice; the moment-to-moment investigation of the mind/body process through calm and focused awareness. Liberation from suffering occurs with letting go.

Over the course of each day, there will be meditation instructions, Dhamma talks, discussion, devotional chanting (puja) and some gentle physical exercises. The eight precepts as well as noble silence will be observed. Breakfast and a midday meal will be served each day, with hot and cold beverages provided in the evening.

Accommodation is multiple-occupancy dormitory-style rooms, and the facility has limited wheelchair accessibility. We are unable to accommodate any special dietary or environmental needs. Incense and candles are used at the morning and evening chanting periods. This monastic residential retreat for women and men will fill quickly as spaces are limited at the Hidden Villa to 26 retreatants.

Upon registration, you will receive an e-mail or (if necessary and requested) postal confirmation, followed later by an information packet which will detail directions to the retreat location, times of arrival and more information about living in a sacred, monastic space. It will also include a registration form, which will need to be completed and returned.

The retreat will be offered solely on a dana (donation) basis, and dana will be tax deductible. A refundable registration deposit of $100 is required to register for this retreat. For those who attend the retreat the deposit can be refunded in full or can be offered as a donation to Saranaloka Foundation to help defer costs incurred. If you must cancel, please give as much notice as possible, preferably at least 30 days in advance, by emailing Cyndia Biver and your deposit will be refunded or redirected upon request. Out of respect for others, please register only when you can make a clear, wholehearted commitment to attend.

Please download and print the registration form, complete it, enclose a deposit check for $100 payable to Saranaloka Foundation, and mail to:

Cyndia Biver
160 Graystone Terrace #4
San Francisco, CA 94114
email: seebee3@gmail.com

Download registration form

Download flyer with info about the retreat for posting at your group and sharing with others.