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Thanksgiving Retreat November, 2017
This 7-day Tranquil Wisdom Insight Meditation (TWIM) residential retreat will be guided by David Johnson. David is a resident at the Dhamma Sukha Meditation Center in Missouri and author of The Path to Nibbana. The retreat covers the Thanksgiving holiday week and weekend. The full retreat begins on Sunday, November 19 and ends on the following Sunday, November 26.
This annual retreat is held at the beautiful St. Francis Retreat Center, near San Juan Bautista, California. The quiet and spacious facility is nestled amid rolling green hills and vineyards east of Monterey Bay and a two hour drive south of San Francisco. Round trip ground transportation is available from local airport by arrangement with the retreat managers.
Participants will be instructed and guided in the practice of TWIM. This is the earliest form of Samatha-Vipassana meditation the combines tranquility and awareness practice. It is the method taught by the Buddha and described in the earliest Buddhist texts. TWIM's emphasis in using Loving-kindness (the Brahmaviharas) as its object of meditation. This approach is ideal for beginning students or advanced meditators seeking to cultivate greater wisdom and deeper insight.
This year there are special content sessions on a variety of meditation related topics every afternoon. David Johnson will lead a traditional evening talk and discussion.
Located 83 miles south of San Francisco International Airport, the St. Francis Retreat center is situated on a sunny hillside only a few miles from the historic San Juan Bautista Mission. The contemporary Spanish-style building complex is nestled among shade trees and vineyards on 70 acres of rolling hills. The spacious Fireside room serves as a central meditation hall with optional indoor and outdoor practice areas throughout the complex.
Comfortable single or double occupancy rooms with private baths are $630 for double occupancy and $765 for single occupancy for 7 nights. Two meals are served daily at 7:00 and 11:00 AM that include either vegetarian or meat/fish entrees with a gluten-free option. Registration
Complete and submit the online registration form by clicking the button below. Your registration will be processed and confirmed in the order received. With your confirmation, you will receive the mailing address to send the required $200 deposit. Credit card and PayPal payments include bank processing fees. Fees
Pay by check or money order: Your confirmation will include the address where to mail your deposit.
Pay by PayPal or credit card: includes a 3% bank processing fee.
Dining
Arrival and Departure
If you are driving, plan to arrive at St. Francis Retreat Center between 3:00 and 4:30 pm on the first day to check in. Parking is available next to the lower building. The Fireside Room will be for group meditation and Dhamma talks. A light dinner will be served at 5:00 PM, followed by a group orientation at 5:30 PM. At 6:15 PM, the retreat will begin with opening comments and a Dhamma talk by Bhante. The retreat will end after the morning meditation and breakfast on the last day of the retreat with time to socialize, take photos, and pack following breakfast. Guests driving to SFO will depart between 10 and 10:30 to arrive SFO between noon and 12:30PM.
Return transportation to SFO or nearby hotels will arrive between 11:30 noon and 12:00 noon on the last day of the retreat. Please make your flight and hotel reservations with adequate time to check in for your flight at least one hour before departure. Coordinate your arrival and departure info and shuttle service with the retreat manager.
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David Johnson
David Johnson currently leads online meditation retreats at Dhamma Sukha Meditation Center in Missouri. He has skillfully guided students worldwide over the internet to awaken wisdom and contentment as described by the Buddha.
His retreats are neither difficult nor a test of endurance, but rather a joy-filled journey along the middle path of clarity and insight. David teaches Loving-kindness based TWIM meditation using the important tool of the Six Rs - a training system for practicing "Right Effort" as a path to liberation–Nibbana (Nirvana)– based on the earliests sutta texts. For more then 40 years, David has studied Buddhism blended intense practice using various styles of meditation. Since 2006, he has studied with Venerable Bhante Vimalaramsi and has taken up residence at DSMC in Missouri. He has recently authored The Path to Nibbana: How Mindfulness of Loving-kindness Progresses Through the Tranquil Aware Jhānas to Awakening, 2017 and coauthored A Guide to Tranquil Wisdom Insight Meditation (TWIM), 2015. 
Practice Schedule Retreat ants are required to be present and seated in the meditation hall for the 5:30 AM and 7:00 PM sessions. A daily 10-minute teacher interview will be scheduled for each person. During practice periods, retreatants will balance periods of sitting and walking meditation to suit their individual needs. Indoor and outdoor meditation practice is encouraged. FIRST DAY______________ 3:30 - 5:00 Registration 5:00 -6:30 Orientation & Dinner 7:00 - 8:00 Introduction 8:00 - 10:00 Self-directed meditation or rest DAILY SCHEDULE_________ 5:00 am Wake up 5:30 am Sitting meditation 7:00 am Breakfast 8:00 am self-directed meditation 12:00 Noon Mid-day meal 1:00 pm Self-directed meditation 6:30 pm Tea time 7:00 pm Dhamma talk 8:00 pm Selfdirected 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 Hotels
If you are arriving early or staying over after the retreat, we suggest that guests select a hotel from the list below. They are near SFO, modestly priced, and offer courtesy airport shuttle service, wi-fi, and complementary breakfast. Cheaper rates may be available through Hotels.com. Kayak.com, and other Web based providers. These hotels are all located only a few miles from SFO in a commercial district with nearby restaurants. Millwood Inn & Suites 1375 El Camino Real, Millbrae, California 94030 Contact: 650-583-3935 Email: info@millwoodinn.com Days Inn San Francisco International Airport West 1550 El Camino Real, San Bruno, California 94066 Contact: 650-616-9600 Email: info@daysinnsanbruno.com La Quinta Inn & Suites, San Francisco Airport West 1390 El Camino Real Millbrae, CA 94030 Phone: 1-650-952-3200 Etiquette with Monks
and Nuns Most Americans are not familiar with traditional and appropriate conduct when interacting with a Buddhist monks or nuns. The downloadable PDF below is a brief summary that you many find helpful in guiding your interactions. 
Emergency Numbers
There is no public phone on the facility. If your family needs to reach you in an emergency, they may call these emergency contact numbers. Retreat Manager, Scott Jordan cell phone: 415-250-5294 St. Francis Retreat business office phone: 831-623-4234 St. Francis Retreat emergency after hours phone: 831-207-7042 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Detailed Information
What to Wear:
The weather in San Juan Bautista in November is typically dry and cool, sunny days and cold nights. The average daytime temperature is 68ºF (20ºC). Nighttime average low temperature is 42ºF (5ºC). Rain is likely and maybe heavy at times so bring an umbrella or other rain gear.
Bring comfortable, loose-fitting clothes, such as sweat pants with elastic waistband. Be prepared with layers that can be added or removed. A warm jacket is needed for cold nights and evening walking meditation. Comfortable slip-on shoes are appropriate for walking around the compound. Headgear, such as a hat with a brim, and sunglasses are handy for sunny days. House-slippers and warm socks are appropriate in the meditation hall. Bring a shawl or small blanket for outdoor, seated meditations in the gardens and patio areas.
What to Bring for Meditation:
Chairs for sitting will be provided in the meditation hall. You may wish to bring your own special chair, if desired, along with meditation cushions or pillows. Please bring a few extra cushions for out of state guests who traveled by air and cannot carry these items with them.
Other Necessities to Bring:
Bed linens, blankets, and towels are provided by the center. You may want to bring a special personal pillow or blanket, if desired. Bring personal toiletries (toothpaste, bath soap, sunscreen, Kleenex, etc), flashlight or headlamp and extra batteries, an alarm clock or watch with an alarm, and a water bottle to be filled at the center with filtered water as needed. There will be wake up and notification bell to announce meals and group gatherings.
What to Leave at Home:
Do not bring valuables, nonprescription drugs or alcohol. Do not bring food, unless you have made prior arrangements with the retreat manager for accommodation of medically required special dietary needs.
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 attend to personal matters before coming so a not to hamper progress in mediation. To support the practice of silence, participants’ cell phones and tablets, and computers will be collected at the beginning of the retreat and held in a secure area until breakfast on the last day of the retreat.
Emergency Phone Numbers:
There is no public phone on the facility. If your family needs to reach you in an emergency, they may call these emergency contact numbers.
Retreat Manager, Scott Jordan cell phone: 415-250-5294
St. Francis Retreat business office phone: 831-623-4234
St. Francis Retreat emergency after hours phone: 831-207-7042
Detailed Information print version
What to Wear:
The weather in San Juan Bautista in November is typically dry and cool, sunny days and cold nights. The average daytime temperature is 68ºF (20ºC). Nighttime average low temperature is 42ºF (5ºC). Rain is likely and maybe heavy at times so bring an umbrella or other rain gear.
Bring comfortable, loose-fitting clothes, such as sweat pants with elastic waistband. Be prepared with layers that can be added or removed. A warm jacket is needed for cold nights and evening walking meditation. Comfortable slip-on shoes are appropriate for walking around the compound. Headgear, such as a hat with a brim, and sunglasses are handy for sunny days. House-slippers and warm socks are appropriate in the meditation hall. Bring a shawl or small blanket for outdoor, seated meditations in the gardens and patio areas.
What to Bring for Meditation:
Chairs for sitting will be provided in the meditation hall. You may wish to bring your own special chair, if desired, along with meditation cushions or pillows. Please bring a few extra cushions for out of state guests who traveled by air and cannot carry these items with them.
Other Necessities to Bring:
Bed linens, blankets, and towels are provided by the center. You may want to bring a special personal pillow or blanket, if desired. Bring personal toiletries (toothpaste, bath soap, sunscreen, Kleenex, etc), flashlight or headlamp and extra batteries, an alarm clock or watch with an alarm, and a water bottle to be filled at the center with filtered water as needed. There will be wake up and notification bell to announce meals and group gatherings.
What to Leave at Home:
Do not bring valuables, nonprescription drugs or alcohol. Do not bring food, unless you have made prior arrangements with the retreat manager for accommodation of medically required special dietary needs.
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 attend to personal matters before coming so a not to hamper progress in mediation. To support the practice of silence, participants’ cell phones and tablets, and computers will be collected at the beginning of the retreat and held in a secure area until breakfast on the last day of the retreat.
Emergency Phone Numbers:
There is no public phone on the facility. If your family needs to reach you in an emergency, they may call these emergency contact numbers.
Retreat Manager, Scott Jordan cell phone: 415-250-5294
St. Francis Retreat business office phone: 831-623-4234
St. Francis Retreat emergency after hours phone: 831-207-7042
Detailed Information print version
| thanksgiving_retreat_details.pdf |
Simplicity and Renunciation
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, loving-kindness, generosity, joy, and wisdom.
These are the seeds that grow insight, compassion, and happiness. 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.”
Taking What is Offered
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).
Download the Simplicity and Renunciation print version
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, loving-kindness, generosity, joy, and wisdom.
These are the seeds that grow insight, compassion, and happiness. 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.”
Taking What is Offered
- Taking Any Residence – whatever quarters are offered. We ask participants to happily accept the accommodation assigned and continue to practice in this spirit throughout the retreat.
- Taking Food that is Offered – Happily accepting food that is offered is part of the practice. The cook lovingly prepares tasty and nutritious meals. Gluten-free alternatives will be available for those with medically required dietary restrictions. Participants with other special dietary needs may arrange with the retreat manager to bring supplemental food items with them to the retreat. Food items are prohibited in rooms and the meditation hall. The kitchen is restricted to St. Francis staff.
- Silence – In fostering an atmosphere of contemplation and meditation, participants are expected to embrace the practice of 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.
- Serving the Community – Participants may wish to volunteer for community work as a daily period of meditation in action. This activity acquaints yogis with meditation practice in daily activities and helps the retreat function move 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).
Download the Simplicity and Renunciation print version
| simplicity_and_renunciation.pdf |