Joy, Grace & Awareness
Retreat with Greg Bender • May 21-22
Friday, May 21 - 7:00-9:00 pm (Doors open 6:15 for registration)
Saturday, May 22 - 10:00 am-5:00 pm with optional group lunch* (vegetarian & non)
Location: Scarritt-Bennett Center, Raintree Room -- 2nd floor of Bennett Hall
Love offering (We will share our per-person cost for the retreat and you may donate according to your capacity)
By recognizing and cultivating a manner of being alive, awake and aware in our world, we can embrace the gift of grace, its beauty, kindness, love and compassion. By embracing and sharing grace we come into a sense of joy which engages the world and brings comfort and abundance for ourselves and others around us.
We will discuss the ideas around awareness, grace and joy, contemplate their experience and through meditation open the gate of possibility.
Greg Bender has been a practitioner for over 30 years and has been encouraged to teach Mahamudra, a method of direct awareness in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition. He has helped organized conferences with His Holiness the Dalai Lama and has travelled extensively to Buddhist sacred sites in India.
Location: Scarritt-Bennett Center, Raintree Room, 1008 19th Avenue South. The Raintree Room is located on the second floor of Bennett Hall. Elevator available. The closest parking lot is Parking Lot B. From there, walk past the dining hall to Bennett Hall (you'll see the high tower above). To download a map of the campus including parking, click here.
*Saturday Lunch: If you register by Thursday morning, 11:00, May 20, you can be included in the fabulous buffet lunch on campus for $11.50 including tax. The meal will include meats, vegetarian options, vegetables, salad, desserts, tea and water.
Registration deadline: If you would like to dine with the group, please register by Thursday morning, 11:00, May 20. If you register after that date, you may be on your own for lunch. We'd like to know you're coming, but if you show up at the last minute, you are completely welcome.
Overnight Accommodations are available at Scarritt-Bennett Center for a more complete retreat experience. Go here to find out more and call the Scarritt Bennett front desk at 615-340-7500 to make an individual room reservation.
Helpful Tips:
- Bring your own water, coffee, and or tea Friday night and Saturday morning. Water pitchers will be available in the room Saturday afternoon. If you desire fresh tea or coffee Saturday after lunch, Starbucks and Panera are a short car trip away.
- Plenty of comfortable chairs are available for sitting, or you are welcome to bring your own cushion. The floor is carpeted.
- The Raintree Room is on the second floor of Bennett Hall. An elevator is available if needed.
- There is a landscaped labynrinth near our building, perfect for walking meditation.
- A few dharma items will be available for sale to benefit Luminous Mind.
- You can attend any or all of the sessions. Please feel welcome.
Volunteers are needed for a few small functions. If you can help, please email Rita by clicking here.
No Set Fee: Our costs will be a little more than $40 per person. Love offerings are welcome to cover this expense, plus a teacher offering at your discretion. Extra donations will help cover the costs for others. No one will be turned away for lack of ability to pay.
To download a retreat flyer, click here.