Join Jon Aaron as he shares his wisdom of living from an open heart in stillness and peace. We are offering a Four-Day Meditation Retreat with time for Q&A and reflection, May 15-18, 2025, beginning with dinner at 5pm and ending at noon.
Peace as Practice: Strengthening Compassion and Expanding Mindfulness While Living in a Frantic World
Together we will explore ancient teachings about heart practices, and how these work in tandem with mindfulness. Grounded in a Buddhist orientation as well as drawing on other wisdom traditions, we will learn and deepen our practice of what is referred to as the Four Divine Abodes: loving-friendliness (metta), compassion (karuna), resonant joy (mudita) and equanimity (upekkha). Each of these practices is understood as appropriate responses to what arises internally and in our world. In this way, we can develop a more capacious, sustainable and creative way of meeting life’s challenges.
These days will be held in Noble Silence, including giving ourselves a well needed break from our devices. This can support us to unravel our nervous systems and experience a more natural, luminous nature of mind.
The retreat will include guided and silent sitting meditation, walking meditation, chanting, poetry and dharma talks. Prior retreat experience will of course be helpful, though it is perfectly appropriate for first timers as well. There will be several opportunities during the retreat group for Q&A and 1:1 meetings.
Cost and Location:
Colombiere Conference and Retreat Center, Clarkston, MI
Private rooms with shared bath; vegetarian meals
Cost for Room, Board and Facilities: $440. For information about scholarships please contact the Still Mountain Teacher’s Council.
In keeping with Buddhist practice, the teacher is not paid from the registration fees. During the retreat, you will be given the opportunity to practice generosity by offering dana (monetary gifts) to the teacher.
For more information, email retreats@stillmountainmeditation.org.