Trust all is well!
Wishing you a fruitful Year to Come
All Past Tips
Tip o’ the Day below
One of the Hindrances is Sceptical Doubt.
I taught my last New Year Retreat and in December the last retreat at the Buddhist Vihara in Birmingham. It definitely feels the right thing to do to slow down on the travelling, and also give more time to Satipanya.
The Winter Mahasi is full and it's the time of year suited to being more stationary inwardly and outwardly. It's limited to people who know what the Mahasi method is about so there are no beginners. This makes for a more concentrated atmosphere.
You may have noticed I did not post any talks up last year so busy with building and this and that. Though I gave talks I did not feel there was anything I had not said before. I've made a New Year resolution to do better this year and am determined to get at least four talks up on the website.
See calendar below for courses and Assistants needed. One during the Winter Mahasi would be greatly appreciated.
We have now completed the refurbishment of the kitchen You can see the transformation here: https://photos.app.goo.gl/7EEFdSmPFVw5Rpzs1
This year there is a pretty full calendar of retreats and the number of teachers is growing. Carl gained an MA for Buddhist Studies. Jenny has a group going in London. I met Guus in Myanmar about to start a two month retreat and he he should be here for his April retreat. Noirin is now teaching longer courses.
The development of the centre is slowly coming to a close. Just the air source heater and remaining beautifications. I hope you can take advantage of what is now an almost perfectly adapted centre for Mahasi practice in beautiful countryside. And if you do come, bring a bit of sun with you!
Karuna Book: Every morning at puja we call the names of those who are sick or dying, or are having a hard time.
Mudita Book: Every evening at puja we call the names of those who have something to rejoice about.
Assistants Needed
N.B. All the courses are serviced by assistants.
See website for up-to-date Assistant need: http://www.satipanya.org.uk/calendar/
As an assistant, we do not expect payment of the deposit because you have kindly offered your time.
And as usual any dana by you is entirely in your gift.
However, your commitment is essential, for the course would be very difficult to run without an assistant and may indeed have to be cancelled.
If you are interested, follow this link: Course Assistant
For info. about Retreats and teachers see website www.satipanya.org.uk
See drop down menus: especially About Us, Teachings and Retreats
Would you like to come and assist on a course?
Scroll down to see where we need you.
Teachers: Click on names for bio.
Day Retreat
Kick Start/Top up
Saturday 06 January
Bhante Bodhidhamma
Local Assistant : Marjorie Forrester
Arrive 09.30. Finish 17.00
Please bring veggie food to share.
Winter Mahasi
Bhante Bodhidhamma
Assistant(s) : Jim Tibby and Mark Blaxland with help from John Macdougall
Eight week roll-on, roll-off Retreat.
Start dates restricted to these Saturdays :
Sat 13 Jan – Sun 21 Jan : Sun 21 Jan – Sat 27 Jan Jim Tibby
Sat 27 Jan – Sun 04 Feb : Sun 04 Feb – Sat 10 Feb Mark & John
Sat 10 Feb – Sun 18 Feb : Sun 18 Feb – Sat 24 Feb Mark & John
Sat 24 Feb – Sun 04 Mar : Sun 04 Mar – Sat 10 Mar Assistant Needed!
Finishing Sat 10 March
Open only to those who have at least one Mahasi Retreat
either at Satipanya or with another teacher
Alternate Sundays possible: 21 Jan.; 04 & 18 Feb.; 04 Mar.
You are encouraged to stay for more than one week.
Day Retreat
Bhante Bodhidhamma
Local Assistant : Needed
Kick Start/Top up
Sat. 17 March
Arrive 09.30. Finish 17.00
Please bring veggie food to share.
Easter Mahasi Retreat
Noirin Sheahan
Assistant : Needed
Sat. 24 Mar – Sat. 07 April
The usual schedule and format – see website.
Preference given to those who want to stay two weeks.
Vipassana means “Seeing clearly”. When we see the world as it really is, we will be free from the distress that comes from identifying with a limited view of who and what we are.
During the retreat, we relax from all our usual busyness to give our full attention to present experience. We learn to see the world more clearly, and to disentangle the knots of confusion that bind us to emotional turmoil. At precious moments, the heart opens and we may sense what it means to be free.
Mahasi Retreat
Guus Went
Assistant : Needed
Sat.14 – Sun. 22 April
Sayadaw U Pandita's definition of Mindfulness: Mindfulness is the observing power of the mind, which clearly and simply experiences an object, without reacting to it.
We start actively to develop this power with the body as primary object. That makes it possible not to get fully entangled in the hindrances and to come to know something about them. Sitting meditation, walking meditation and daily activities are fully equal in importance. Gradually we come to know other objects of meditation, both internally and externally.
Practical thing: It is useful to take a small notebook and a pen, to make notes of observations after a session or during the day. This will be helpful to make the interview sessions useful and relaxed.
Mahasi Two Week Retreat
Noirin Sheahan
Assistant : Needed
Sat. 28 Apr. – Sat.12 May
The usual schedule and format – see website.
See above for Noirin’s description.
Buddha Day
Bhante Bodhidhamma
Local Assistant Needed
Saturday 19 May : Start 09.30
Honouring Our Exemplar and Teacher
Taking Refuges and Precepts Ceremony
Morning Meditation
Noon Lunch
Please bring veggie finger food for lunch.
Afternoon Talk : Taking Refuges and Precepts : Procession
Tea and Biscuits 16.00
.
Vipassana : Metta : Bodycare
Bhante Bodhidhamma
with Bryan Lester, Reiki Master
Assistant Needed
Come Friday evening if you want to join in Buddha Day Celbration
Fri 18 / Sat 19 – Weds 23 May
Towards a Right Lifestyle
The first weekend is devoted to Mahasi vipassana and metta /Loving-Kindness
and exercises that heal and/or invigorate the body.
After that, one can choose what to practise.
Discussion on how to develop the spiritual life.
Mahasi Weekend Retreat
Jenny Birkett
Assistant Needed
Fri. 01 – Sun. 03 June
The usual schedule and format – see website.
Mahasi Weeklong Retreat
Carl Fooks
Assistant Needed
Sat 16th – Sun 24th June
The Mahasi system can feel challenging, and its emphasis on moment-to-moment mindfulness can prove to feel particularly difficult.
Carl teaches a gentle approach to the practice encouraging a skilful and effective orientation that helps practitioners to commit themselves fully to the practice and the schedule, and thereby get the most out of the course.
Summer Mahasi Retreat
Bhante Bodhidhamma
Assistant Needed
Eleven week roll-on, roll-off Retreat.
Minimum stay eight nights.
Start dates: Saturdays:-
30 June & 14 & 28 July; 11 & 25 Aug. 08 Sept.
Finishing Sun. 16 Sept
Celebration Sat 15th Sept. See below
N.B. Start restricted to listed Saturdays.
Alternate Sun. possible for Mahasi devotees.
A challenging Retreat easily modified for beginners.
See Beginner’s Testimonials on website.
You are encouraged to stay for more than one week.
Assistants : Needed
Starting and ending on following Saturday.
30 June – 14 July : Ignacio Duque Sanchez
14 July – 28 July : Assistant : Sita Brand
28 July – 11 August : Assistant Needed
11 – 25 August: Assistant Needed
25 August – 08 September: Assistant :Jim Tibby
08 – 16 (Sunday) September: Assistant : Dea Paradisos
Sangha Day : Ninth Anniversary
Bhante Bodhidhamma
Local Assistant Needed
Saturday 15 September
Please bring veggie food to join us for communal lunch at noon.
Ceremony starts 13.30
Talk: To be announced.
Weekend Retreat
Fri. 28 Sept.– Sun. 30 Sept. (Finishes 13.00)
Carl Fooks
Assistant Needed
See usual weekend Schedules
Mahasi Two Week Retreat
Sat. 06 Oct. – Sun. 21 October
Noirin Sheahan
Assistant Needed
See above for Noirin’s description.
Preference given to those who want to stay two weeks.
The usual schedule and format – see website.
Day Retreat
Saturday 27 October
Jenny Birkett
Local Assistant Needed
Kick Start/Top
Arrive 09.30. Finish 17.00
Please bring veggie food to share.
Autumn Mahasi Retreat
Sat. 03 – Sun. 25 Nov.
Noirin Sheahan
See above for Noirin’s description.
Assistants Needed
Preference is given to those who wish to stay for the full three weeks.
The usual schedule and format – see website. www.satipanya.org.uk
See Bhante's Away Calendar below
First time on a diving board and we doubt we can do it. It is fear, of course, that is rationalising. So you climb down.
Applying for a job, a job for which you doubt you have the ability. The mind offers a rational argument for your fear of failure.
You doubt whether the person you love, can really love you, carbuncles and all, so you delay ... and delay for fear of rejection. And they find someone else.
Sometimes you have to make a leap of faith.
This is easier if we abandon the notion that life is a series of successes and failures, and instead see it as an exploration - a series of trial and errors. Then we can jump. We can 'fail'. We can try again.
So it is with the Buddhadhamma.
We may have all sorts of doubts. Doubts in the Teaching, in the practice, in the teacher and most often in ourselves.
There are also many teachings which may be difficult for us: not-self, karma and rebirth, transcendence and Nibbana, no personal, all-loving God.
If we allow these doubts to overwhelm us, we will stop the practice. We will commit spiritual suicide!
Yet the Buddha does ask us to have doubt - an honest doubt. It is the wonder of the philosopher.
This wonder, this curiosity will overcome any fears we have. And fears there will be as we explore our unknown inner territory.
For the Buddha did not ask us to believe what he said, but question it.
And he gave us a process on how to investigate - vipassana.
To question not intellectually, but experientially. To discover whether his teachings are true for us.
This very exploration is the process of liberation for it dissolves our delusions.
This exploration demands we overcome our sceptical doubts.
​Such doubts often arise also when we are asked to abandon our cherished certainties. But do we know whether these certainties are true by our own experience? Or are they rather beliefs we have unquestionably accepted on the word of others, of family tradition, of culture?
Can we remain in that place of 'don't know', 'not sure'.
After all, why come to a conclusion anyway when in truth we don't actually know whether it is true or not by our own personal experience.
Also if you fail to receive a monthly NEWSBYTE, please, look in spam
or re-establish the email by filling in the form in MAILING LIST at the bottom of the front page of the website.
Many thanks.
Finally, please forward this email if you know someone who may be interested. Thanks.
Bodhidhamma
www.satipanya.org.uk
Directors - Jim Tibby Richard Benjamin Maureen Tibby Mike Regan
Limited Company Number 05924965 Registered Charity Number 1116668
Satipanya, White Grit, Minsterley, Shropshire SY5 0JN
T: 0044 (0)1588 650752
email: bodhidhamma@satipanya.org.uk info: info@satipanya.org.uk
| Calendar 2018 | Bhante’s Calendar away from Satipanya | ||||||||
| These are my courses when I am away from Satipanya Buddhist Retreat. Please confirm all dates with contacts below. Beginners are welcome on all retreats. |
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| PLACE | CONTACT | DATE | COMMENT | ||||||
| SPRING COURSES | |||||||||
| Madrid | Ignacio Duque <igduque@gmail.com> |
Two Days April 14/15 |
Arrive 09.30 Finish 17.00 |
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| Gaia House,West Ogwell Newton Abbot, Devon TQ12 6EW |
Bookings : 01626 333613 info@gaiahouse.co.uk |
Weekend Fri 04–Sun 06 May Weeklong Fri 04–Sun 13 May |
You can come for the first weekend only. The course is challenging, but easily modulated for beginners. |
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| Friends Meeting House 12 Jesus Lane Cambridge CB5 8BA |
David Brown davidbrown1000@btinternet.com |
One Day Sat. 26 May |
Arrive 09.30 Finish 17.00 Bring veggie food to share | ||||||
| The Dharma School 149 Ladies Mile Rd. Brighton BN1 8TB |
For enquiries, Rosie or Richard info@bodhigarden.org |
One Day Mon 28 May Communal Walk on Sunday! |
Ditto Register online at www.bodhigarden.org from 29th March. |
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| Pian dei Ciliegi 29028 Ponte dell’ Olio, (PC) Italy |
Gianni Burgazzi T: 0039 (0) 523 878 948 E: info@piandeiciliegi.it www.piandeiciliegi.it |
Weekend &Weeklong Fri. 15 June p.m. to Sun 24 June a. m. |
You can come for the first weekend only. The course is challenging, but easily modulated for beginners. |
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| AUTUMN COURSES | |||||||||
| Teach Bhride, Tullow, County Carlow Ireland |
Margaret Groome Tel: 00353 1 282 8199 margaretgroome2@gmail.com |
Weekend Fri. 28 Sept To Sun. 29 Sept. |
Arrive 1830 Friday. Finish 1600 Sunday Can also come for a day. |
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| Association Terre d'Eveil |
DE OBALDIA Gilles <gilles2obaldia@gmail.com> |
Sat. 06&Sun 07 Oct. |
Two separate day longs | ||||||
| Mudita | Anne Michel info@mudita.ch www.mudita.ch |
Five Days Fri. 12 Oct to Tues. 16 Oct |
Arrive 1830 Fri. Finish Tues. 16.00 Can also come for the weekend. |
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| Oxford Retreats Headington Parish Hall, Dunstan Road Oxford OX3 9BY |
www.oxfordgaiahouseretreats.co.uk |
One DaySat. 20 Oct. |
Register 09.15 Finish 17.00 Bring veggie food to share. |
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| London Insight King Alfred School, 149 North End Rd. London NW11 | Louise Kennedy admin@londoninsight.org |
One Day Sun. 21 Oct |
Arrive 09.30 Finish 17.00 Bring veggie food to share. |
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