___________________________________________________________________
To listen for free to all of the guided meditations, Dharma talks and check-ins on this retreat, click here. ___________________________________________________________________
Dear Friends,
Think of all the transcendent moments you've experienced in your life that are pure and beautiful impermanence meditations:
Marveling at shooting stars; champagne bubbles; a rushing river;
Watching a campfire transform from a blazing pyre to a softly
crackling and crumbling pile of glowing cinders,
to a bed of cold black ash;
Realizing life is finite and letting anger go.
You already know how to meditate on impermanence!
On this retreat, "A Secret Passageway to Joy," we'll follow the Buddha's exceptionally clear map to help us weave a deep knowing of impermanence into our daily lives.
In this way, we won't miss a moment of our one precious life.
Thich Nhat Hanh, the Zen teacher and poet of impermanence, will be one of our main guides on the retreat. He describes the practice of impermanence:
"The Buddha implored us not just to talk about impermanence
but to use it as an instrument to help us penetrate deeply into
reality and obtain liberating insight."
Practicing this way, Thich Nhat Hanh said:
"Impermanence becomes a key that opens the door of reality."
Bhikkhu Analayo, another of our guides, says the whole path to liberation taught by the Buddha is summarized in just four words:
"Keep calmly knowing change."
From first to last on Dec. 1-3, we will do just that.
We often turn to poetry on our retreats as a wonderful way to discover, explore and enjoy the world within. Poems give us fresh eyes to see the world around.
As the poet John Brehm says:
"Living in alignment with the truth of impermanence opens
a secret passageway to joy."
We send you a warm invitation to join! 🙏☀️
With love,
Doug
__________________________________________________________________
THIS RETREAT IS OFFERED FOR FREE
Donation is optional. If you would like to support our retreats you can:
1) Use PayPal on this page; or
2) Send a check made out to Doug McGill at PO Box 6513, Rochester, MN 55903
__________________________________________________________________
TO REGISTER, SIMPLY RETURN THIS EMAIL
__________________________________________________________________
THE RETREAT SCHEDULE
The retreat begins at 7 PM CST on Friday, Dec. 1, and ends at 5:30 PM on Sunday, Dec. 3.
Friday, Dec. 1
7 to 8:30 PM: Welcome to the Retreat! A guided meditation and a talk on “Keep Calmly Knowing Change.”
Saturday, Dec. 2
9 AM: “Fading Away, Ending, Letting Go” (A Meditation from Bhikkhu Analayo)
11:30 AM: Check-In
1:30 PM: “Looking Deeply Into a Flower” (A Meditation from Thich Nhat Hanh)
3:30 PM: Check-In
7 PM: Guided Meditation and Talk: “Impermanence: A Secret Passageway to Joy”
Sunday, Dec. 3
9 AM: “The Walk of Impermanence, Awareness and Joy”
11:30 AM: Check-In
1:30 PM: “In The Seeing, Only The Seeing'”
3:30 PM: "This World of Dew"
4:30 to 5:30 PM: Group Sit and Closing Circle
SPIRITUAL FRIENDSHIP
We retreat to enliven and refresh our practice, and to offer our supportive loving presence to others. Your presence is truly a tremendous offering. Gathering as a sangha, we see ourselves not as "others" but as one loving presence knowing itself. “Spiritual friendship is 100 percent of the spiritual life,” the Buddha said.
DAILY LIFE MEDITATION
Between the retreat sessions we go about our daily life as usual, doing errands and chores, reading, napping, taking walks, having meals, conversing with others.
DOUG MCGILL
I've meditated since my college years, starting with relaxation tapes and Transcendental Meditation. In my mid-20's, as a staff reporter at The New York Times, I used these techniques—plus weekends binge-reading books by Jiddu Krishnamurti—to cope with the stress of daily journalism. In the mid-1990's, while living in Hong Kong, I read "The Art of Living" by S.N. Goenka and learned insight ("vipassana") meditation, which became my root practice. In 2013, I met my non-dual teacher and friend, Rupert Spira, who taught me the Direct Path. This profoundly deepened my insight practice, and over time the two practices melded into one. Other highlights: From 2004 to 2020, I founded and was Guiding Teacher of the Rochester Meditation Center in Rochester, MN. In 2019, I edited “Relax and Be Aware: Mindfulness Meditations for Clarity, Confidence and Wisdom,” by Sayadaw U Tejaniya. Since 2013, I've published “The Daily Tejaniya,” a daily email practice reminder. And since 2013, I've taught a six-week “Introduction to Awareness Meditation” class several times a year.
TESTIMONIALS
From practitioners who have taken retreats with me:
> Doug is a welcoming, down-to-earth, relatable teacher who provides a safe and supportive container for spiritual friendship. His emphasis on relaxation, joy, patience and warm-heartedness has made a profound impact on my attitude and understanding.
— Michelle L.
> Doug knows how to connect, in love, with people. He brings the Dhamma close to home, and I feel a true sangha forming, even on Zoom! — Nancy H.
> More than any other teacher I've met, Doug radiates wisdom and compassion. He truly hears each participant's question, and he meets them exactly where they are. His presence and liberating offerings are truly a gift to the world. — Brian C.
> On Doug’s retreats you discover that meditation isn’t just for other people who are “smarter,” “holier,” or “more advanced.” It’s available for all of us to explore and experience! — Ellen O.
> Doug’s teachings have become an essential part of my life. His commitment to loving-kindness, which he calls “radiant warm-heartedness,” shines through his generous sharing and the interest and care he brings to each individual. — K.D.
> Doug initiates a curiosity to learn and grow. He creates a space of compassion and love. His generous gifts truly help me along through this beautiful life. — Pam H.