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March 17-25, 2018 Gainesville, Florida
This 9-day residential retreat will take place at the Gainesville Retreat Center in Gainesville, Florida. Participants will be instructed and guided by the Venerable Bhante Vimalaramsi in the practice of Tranquil Insight Wisdom Meditation (TWIM). It is a form of meditation based upon the earliest Buddhist texts (suttas). TWIM is ideal for beginning students or advanced meditators seeking to cultivate deeper experiences in wisdom and contentment.
The retreat is limited to 20 participants and is conducted in silence. However, mindful speech is encouraged during the evening Dhamma talks. Participants are requested to observe the Eight Precepts that comprise a code of conduct in Buddhist retreats and serve as a foundation for meditation practice. 
The 2016 Gainesville TWIM Retreat with Bhante Vimalaramsi
The daily schedule includes a morning group practice session with a short reading of the Refuges and Precepts followed by a mix of seated and walking meditation for the remainder of the day. Meditation practice is reviewed by Bhante in one-on-one daily interviews that assess and guide each student's abilities and progress. This approach to teaching results in smooth progress through the stages of awakening.
Accommodations
The Gainesville Retreat Center is a hub of the Dhamma in Gainesville. Located on a 108-acre wildlife refuge, the Center is nestled in a lush forest with deer, sandhill cranes and owls to accompany you on the spiritual path. It hosts retreats and weekly meetings for various Buddhist and non-Buddhist groups. Located just to the east of the University of Florida, the Center is run by a non-profit corporation which also manages the property as a wildlife refuge. It offers two main residential buildings, a 1,200 square foot meditation hall, a full vegetarian kitchen and miles of hiking trails. In residence at the center is Shana "Shana Banana" Smith, who is an accomplished folk musician, yogi, Zen, and Kirtan practitioner. Shana and her family are devoted to the center and helping others achieve their spiritual potential.
Fees
Fees include meals and specific accommodations on a first-come, first-served basis. Main Houses (all bathroom facilities are shared) Single Room $725, Deposit is $200 Double Room $520, Deposit is $200 Cabin (all bathroom facilities are shared) Single Occupancy $650, Deposit is $200 Double Occupancy $470, Deposit is $200 "Rustic" Cabin (only one available -no bathroom - very rustic!) Single Occupancy $560, Deposit is $200 Double Occupancy $420, Deposit is $200 Camping (full access to all bathroom facilities in the Main Houses) $420 per tent; Deposit is $200 For more information about the facilities, visit www.gainesvilleretreatcenter.com To ask further qu"estions, email the Retreat Manager, Rachael O'Brien, at gainesvilletwimretreat@gmail.com The deposit of $200 is refundable until February 15, 2018. After that date, the deposit is not refundable. Full payment of fees is due on March 1, 2018. Fees cover the costs for facilities, lodging, meals, and expenses. A mailing address for payment by check or money order will be provided by email as soon as your reservation is confirmed. Pay by Check Please Payments should be made by contacting Rachael O'Brien, retreat manager for payment instructions. Contact Rachael at: www.gainesvilletwimretreat@gmail.com DO NOT PAY FEES TO GAINESVILLE RETREAT CENTER WEBSITE OR
MAIL PAYMENT TO THE GAINESVILLE RETREAT CENTER Meals and Dining
Arrivals and Departures
Please arrive at the Gainesville Retreat Center on Saturday, March 17, 2018 between 3:00PM and 4:00PM to register and get settled. Parking areas will be posted. The retreat will end after breakfast on Sunday, March 25, 2018. There will be time to socialize, take photos, and pack following breakfast. Registration and Orientation
Room assignments will take place on Saturday, March 17, 2018 between 3:00PM and 4:00PM. Orientation followed by dinner will be at 4:30pm. At 6:00PM, opening comments and a Dhamma talk will be given by Bhante Vimalaramsi. What to Wear
Temperatures in Gainesville in mid to late March normally average in the mid 70's during the day and the lower 50's at night. However, please dress in layers as the weather can turn unpredictably hot or cold in the Spring. It is normally a dry time of year with little rain. Bring comfortable but modest loose fitting clothes that facilitate sitting and walking meditation. Sweat pants and easy slip-on/off shoes are recommended. It is advisable to bring a knit cap and gloves just in case the weather turn cold. Sweaters or jackets are generally needed at night. Shoes are not permitted in the building. Socks or soft slippers are appropriate in the meditation hall. Shawls and body blankets are recommended for sitting and walking meditation. What to Bring for Meditation Chairs and cushions Cushions (zafus) with mats (zabuton) and comfortable padded chairs will be provided by the Gainesville Retreat Center. However, feel free to bring a special chair or cushion if you have a special need. It is not required or even encouraged that seated meditation take place on a cushion on the floor. Use of a chair seems to be most popular, and that will do nicely. Other Necessities to Bring: Bed linens, blankets, and towels are provided by the Gainesville Retreat Center. Bring a special personal pillow or blanket if desired. Bring personal toiletries (toothpaste, bath soap, sunscreen, Kleenex, etc), insect repellant, a flashlight or headlamp with extra batteries (we are in a dark forest at night), an alarm clock or watch with an alarm, and a water bottle to be filled at the center with filtered water as needed. What to Leave at Home: Do not bring valuables, or nonprescription drugs or alcohol. Avoid using scented cosmetics or perfumes that may be allergenic to others. Reading and writing are discouraged during this training period, except during the evening Dhamma talks by Bhante. Candles, incense, and smoking are not allowed in any rooms. Clocks and Phones: Please be punctual for all group events. Turn sound off clocks and watches that might makes sounds. There is no public phone on the facility. Cell phones will be collected at the beginning of the retreat and returned during breakfast on the closing day of the retreat. Computers and electronic notebooks are prohibited during the retreat. Safe and secure storage for personal computers and cell phones will be provided. |
Bhante Vimalaramsi
Bhante Vimalaramsi, Abbott of Dhamma Sukha Meditation Center in Annapolis, Missouri.
Bhante is a distinguished American Buddhist monk with more than 40 years of meditation practice. He is regarded as a master meditation teacher leading Tranquil Wisdom Insight Meditation Retreats in Europe, Asia, and North America.
He founded the Dhamma Sukha Meditation Center near Annapolis, Missouri, after returning to the USA having practiced twelve years in Asia. He is the author of The Anapanasati Sutta: A Guide to Tranquil Wisdom Meditation, Breath of Love, and Moving Dhamma Volume 1. Bhante is the American representative to the World Buddhist Summits.
Most Americans are not familiar with traditional and appropriate conduct when interacting with Buddhist monks or nuns. The downloadable PDF below is a brief summary that you many find helpful in guiding your interactions.
Transportation
Flights should arrive at the Gainesville Regional Airport (GNV) at 2:00PM. Pick-up from GNV is easily accomplished and free of charge. Please provide time of arrival to Rachael O'Brien, retreat manager at: GainesvilleTWIMretreat@gmail.com Pick up from other airports by the retreat staff is not possible but carpooling with other participants may be possible depending upon their travel arrangements and points of origin. Driving Directions to Gainesville Retreat Center is located at 1605 SE 51st Street, Gainesville, FL 32641. More at: http://gainesvilleretreatcenter.com/faq.html If you are arriving before the retreat and need a hotel, the Hampton Inn located in downtown Gainesville is the best option. Pick up from the Hampton Inn is free of charge. More at: http://www.hamptoninnandsuitesgainesville.com/ Practice Schedule
All participants are required to be present and seated in the meditation hall for the 5:30 AM and 6:00 PM sessions. A daily 10-minute teacher interview will be scheduled for each person. During practice periods, participants will balance periods of sitting and walking meditation to suit their individual needs. Indoor and outdoor meditation practice is encouraged. FIRST DAY______________ 3:00 - 4:00 Registration 4:30 - 6:00 Dinner & Orientation 6:00 - 8:00 Introduction 8:00 - 10:00 Self-directed meditation DAILY SCHEDULE_________ 5:00 am Wake up 5:30 am Group Sitting practice 7:00 am Breakfast 8:00 am Self-directed meditation 11:00 am Lunch 1:00 pm Self-directed meditation 5:30 pm Tea time 6:00 pm Dhamma talk 8:00 pm Self-directed meditation 10:00 pm Further practice or sleep LAST DAY_______________ 5:30 - 7:00 Meditation & Closing 7:00 - 9:30 Breakfast, & Socializing 9:30 - 10:30 Departure Emergency Number
Gainesville Retreat Center Business Phone: 352-213-2221 
Gainesville
Gainesville is a beautiful and progressive town that is home to one of the largest universities in the country. Go Gators! There are many places of natural beauty including Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park, the Devil's Milhopper State Park, and several local springs. Gainesville also hosts notable cultural and educational centers including the Florida Museum of Natural History and Butterfly Rainforest, the Harn Museum which includes a large Himalayan Buddhist art exhibit, and Kanapaha Botanical Gardens. | ||||||
Simplicity
Meditation retreats offer a sacred space that is protected and removed from the world. They allow participants a rare opportunity to look deeply inside, quiet the mind, and open the heart. Often the most beneficial and rewarding experiences of spiritual life happen at a meditation retreat. The sheltered and quiet setting is a key element that enables participants to develop patience, steadfastness, lovingkindness, generosity, joy, and wisdom. These are the seeds that grow insight, compassion, and contentment.
Participants are requested to let go of concerns for daily life and embrace an attitude of simplicity and renunciation by adopting a traditional spiritual practice that is called “taking what is offered”.
1. Taking Any Residence – whatever quarters are offered. We ask participants to happily accept the accommodation assigned and continue to practice in this spirit throughout course of the retreat.
2. Taking food that is offered – Happily accepting food that is offered is part of the practice.The cook lovingly prepares tasty and nutritious vegetarian meals. Alternative dishes will be available for those with medically required dietary restrictions. Participants with special dietary needs are encouraged to bring ready-to-eat supplemental food items that may be kept in the central refrigerator located in the dining room. Hot water and a microwave oven are available 24/7. Food items are prohibited in rooms and the meditation hall. Food preparation is not allowed in the kitchen or dining area.
3. Silence – In fostering an atmosphere of contemplation and meditation, retreatants are requested to embrace the practice of Noble Silence during the retreat. Living in silence is the practice of observing within and not communicating with others. This includes reading or writing, using telephones, computer, email or text messages. Talking is permitted during the evening dhamma talks and teacher interviews when questions are encouraged. Inquiries about the retreat may be directed to a retreat manager or whenever necessary in the case of an emergency.
4. Serving the Community – Retreatants may wish to volunteer for community work as a dailyperiod of meditation in action. This activity acquaints yogis with meditation practice in daily activities and helps the retreat function more smoothly. A sign-up sheet for yogi jobs will be available during registration.
The retreat is organized and managed by volunteers as a community service. Bhante Vimalaramsi freely gives the teachings and his time to be of service to the Buddha, the Dhamma (the teachings), and the Sangha (the community).
We deeply value the benefits of these profound spiritual practices and are honored to share these blessings with you. Thank you for your participation.
Meditation retreats offer a sacred space that is protected and removed from the world. They allow participants a rare opportunity to look deeply inside, quiet the mind, and open the heart. Often the most beneficial and rewarding experiences of spiritual life happen at a meditation retreat. The sheltered and quiet setting is a key element that enables participants to develop patience, steadfastness, lovingkindness, generosity, joy, and wisdom. These are the seeds that grow insight, compassion, and contentment.
Participants are requested to let go of concerns for daily life and embrace an attitude of simplicity and renunciation by adopting a traditional spiritual practice that is called “taking what is offered”.
1. Taking Any Residence – whatever quarters are offered. We ask participants to happily accept the accommodation assigned and continue to practice in this spirit throughout course of the retreat.
2. Taking food that is offered – Happily accepting food that is offered is part of the practice.The cook lovingly prepares tasty and nutritious vegetarian meals. Alternative dishes will be available for those with medically required dietary restrictions. Participants with special dietary needs are encouraged to bring ready-to-eat supplemental food items that may be kept in the central refrigerator located in the dining room. Hot water and a microwave oven are available 24/7. Food items are prohibited in rooms and the meditation hall. Food preparation is not allowed in the kitchen or dining area.
3. Silence – In fostering an atmosphere of contemplation and meditation, retreatants are requested to embrace the practice of Noble Silence during the retreat. Living in silence is the practice of observing within and not communicating with others. This includes reading or writing, using telephones, computer, email or text messages. Talking is permitted during the evening dhamma talks and teacher interviews when questions are encouraged. Inquiries about the retreat may be directed to a retreat manager or whenever necessary in the case of an emergency.
4. Serving the Community – Retreatants may wish to volunteer for community work as a dailyperiod of meditation in action. This activity acquaints yogis with meditation practice in daily activities and helps the retreat function more smoothly. A sign-up sheet for yogi jobs will be available during registration.
The retreat is organized and managed by volunteers as a community service. Bhante Vimalaramsi freely gives the teachings and his time to be of service to the Buddha, the Dhamma (the teachings), and the Sangha (the community).
We deeply value the benefits of these profound spiritual practices and are honored to share these blessings with you. Thank you for your participation.