join our e-mail list
December 2006 / January 2007 Issue
An intensive meditation experience for teenagers
Five-day retreat at Land of Medicine Buddha, California, December 27 to January 1
|
“These Teen Retreats are a ‘don't miss!’ for any teen interested in experiencing meditation and mindfulness practices, truthful/heartfelt communication, wonderful mentors, safe community, great food, and a time to relax and reflect on the mysteries and truths of our lives,” says Heather Sundberg, Family/Teen Program Manager, Spirit Rock. “They offer a profound opportunity to explore how to live our lives with kindness and wisdom.”
Besides learning formal meditation practices, there are times to go for walks, play music, tell stories, and enjoy a bonfire on the last night. Since meditation practice may be new to some teens each period of sitting meditation will be limited to half an hour. Teachers include Tempel Smith who has been leading residential youth retreats for many years at Insight Meditation Society in Barre, Massachusetts; Spring Washam, the executive director of the Mind Body Awareness Project, an organization that teaches meditation and yoga to at-risk youth, Marvin Belzer who teaches philosophy and meditation at Bowling Green University in Ohio, and has helped develop the Teen Retreat from its beginning fifteen years ago; and Heather Sundberg. Facilitators will be available to support teens whenever needed. Meals are vegetarian and are prepared with tastes and preferences of young people in mind. This retreat is endorsed by the Buddhist Peace Fellowship, Land of Medicine Buddha, Insight Meditation Center, San Francisco Zen Center, Spirit Rock, Jack Kornfield, James Baraz, and Gil Fronsdal. The total cost of the retreat is $395 - $325 sliding scale. Teens with financial limitations may be eligible for a partial scholarship, small grant, or payment plan. Contact Erin Hill to receive the application form by email: teenretreat@bpf.org or call 510-847-9677 to ask for the form by mail. [Mandala recorded the experiences of a previous Teen Retreat in the December 2005 January 2006 issue.]
|
