~Michigan Mindfulness Weekend 2005~

tentative schedule

Friday	Arrival Day
	Arrive anytime Friday afternoon and enjoy the walking trails.
5PM	Dinner, Mainhouse
7PM	Orientation and Evening Meditation, Wheelhouse
	Welcome Short Meditation May the Sound of this Bell... Introductions Discuss Schedule Comments on Noble Silence
8-9PM	Sitting and Walking Meditation, Wheelhouse
	Begin Noble Silence
Saturday
5:20AM	First Wake Up Bell
5:30AM	Final Wake Up Bell
6AM	Sunrise Walking Meditation
	Leave from the domes. We will walk from darkness to light, after the sun comes up please return individually to domes when ready and at your own pace (Maintain Silence)
8-9AM	Yoga, Domes
9AM	Morning Meditation, Wheelhouse
10AM	Brunch, Mainhouse (Relax silence)
	Socializing, informal discussion, free time
Noon	Meditation and Fourteen Mindfulness Trainings, Wheelhouse
	Sangha introductions and discussion What are we doing? How are things going? Problems? Concerns? What do we need help with to be more effective?
2:30PM	Break, Free time
3:30PM	Afternoon Tea and Sharing Silent enjoyment of tea, followed by sharing of poetry, readings, jokes
5PM	Dinner, Mainhouse
7PM	Touch the Earth Meditation and Reading, Wheelhouse
8-9PM	Song of the Morning, Self-Realization Fellowship (SRF) Meditation, Lodge or non-directed meditation, Wheelhouse
	Begin Noble Silence
Sunday
5:20AM	First wake-up bell
5:30AM	Final wake-up bell
6AM	Sunrise Walking Meditation (as yesterday)
8-9AM	Yoga, Domes
9AM	Breakfast, Domes (maintain silence) Bagels, cream cheese, peanut butter and apples
10AM	Sunday Morning Meditation, Wheelhouse or
11AM	Self Realization Sunday Meditation Service, Lodge
12:15PM	Short Closing Meditation, Wheelhouse Feedback
1PM	Festive Dinner

 

The Blue Water Community of Mindful Living from Port Huron, Michigan and Sarnia, Ontario extends to everyone a warm invitation to join with us for our annual fall retreat and mindfulness weekend.

Over the past year we have made a conscious effort to network with other nearby Buddhist groups. This has resulted in warm friendships, solidarity, information exchange and increased opportunities to practice. We would like extend that effort and hope that many people from groups throughout Michigan and other nearby areas can join us for a weekend of mindfulness and sangha building.

Michigan Mindfulness Weekend will be held the last weekend of September at Song of the Morning Meditation and Retreat Center in Vanderbilt, Michigan, Friday the 23rd thru Sunday 25th. Located nine miles east of I-75, one exit north of Gaylord, the retreat is about a four and half hour drive from Detroit and Grand Rapids.

Song of the Morning is a well established, modern retreat facility situated on 800 acres of land astride the Pigeon River. Surrounded by millions of acres of state forest land, Song of the Morning is deeply quiet and peaceful. Deer and other wildlife abound and eagles are often seen circling above. There are many hiking trails along the river and often the only sound is the wind in the pines and splashing water falling over the dam.

We have reserved the "Domes", a large dormitory and meeting room for the weekend. Some private rooms are also available and there is plenty of room for tents, campers, and RV's. Vegetarian meals will be provided by Song of the Morning in their dining room.

The cost for the weekend, including lodging and meals is just $75.00. Private rooms will be a bit higher and camping a bit less.

The retreat will begin with dinner on Friday at 5 PM, followed by a get accquainted and planning session at 7 PM. We will have a tentative schedule available and final plans will be by consensus. Normally we enjoy periods of silence, sitting and walking meditation, yoga, sangha building discussions, mindfulness trainings and free time. The retreat will conclude with a festive dinner Sunday at 1 PM.

For those unable to attend the entire retreat daytime participation on Saturday is welcomed or you can choose to just stay over on Saturday night.

It's our hope that Michigan Mindfulness Weekend can become an annual event that will enrich our mutual practice and awareness.

Song of the Morning's website is: http://www.goldenlotus.org

The Blue Water Community of Mindful Living website is: http://www.bluewaterbuddhist.org

To register for the retreat or for further information please email Sam Ewalt, ewalt@glis.net or telephone 810-679-4625. To reserve a private room contact Song of the Morning directly by email, office@goldenlotus.org or telephone 989-983-4107.