Why take time for an extended meditation practice?

As late winter moves into the gushing of spring, the busyness of life tends to get in the way of our desire to start or to re-commit to a meditation practice and to mindful living. This half-day retreat is a way to set a marker, to allow the possibility for a new beginning or for a deepening of experience.

We all experience too many distractions, maybe a loss of interest in our practice, or a loss of focus on what and how to do it. This mini-retreat is a chance to experience the benefit of taking a pause and detaching from the regular schedule of busyness. In the midst of all the doing, gift yourself an extended period of simply being. This will help to:

• steady your mind and recover your sense of calm
• reconnect with your center and what matters to you
• reclaim your sense of balance.

What to expect during the day

Alfie and Christiane will offer a series of mindfulness meditation practices – sitting, walking and eating – all with the aim of steadying the mind, warming the heart, establishing a sense of equanimity, and reminding ourselves of what is most important to each of us in this business and busy-ness of being human. The majority of the day will be held in silence to promote an inner focus while being supported by practicing with a community.

Those who have limited experience with meditation are most welcome. The practices will be relatively short, varied, and accessible to beginners and experienced meditators alike. There will be ample instructions throughout the morning. Time to process your experience and engage with the teachers will be offered as well.

Individuals who have never participated in a retreat may feel daunted by the prospect of being silent for an extended period of time. Invariably, people discover not only that they can do it, but that the experience is profoundly enriching.

What to bring along

• Wear comfortable clothes and shoes that are easy to remove and put back on.
• Bring a yoga mat / blanket(s) to lie on and a pillow to support your head.
• Bring a light lunch that will be used for a mindful eating exercise in the middle of the day. A refrigerator will be available if you need to store your lunch.
• Plan to spend the day detached from electronic devices.