MPCH 2023 Annual Retreat
Finding True Happiness: Healing with Inner Stability and Freedom
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A Mindfulness Retreat with Brother Michael Ciborski
Friday November 3 to Sunday November 5, 2023 American Bodhi Center Hempstead, TX (between Houston and Austin on US 290) sponsored by the Mindfulness Practice Community of Houston |
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Finding True Happiness: Healing with Inner Stability and Freedom
Our lives are preoccupied with the demands of our relationships, work, and family. Our hearts are wounded by the immense stories of the suffering of our times. We are in a constant state of anxiety, anger, fear, and even hatred, consuming much suffering through our senses, bodies, and minds. We long to experience true happiness, inner peace, and freedom that lie within each of us.
When we listen to the sage advice of our Spiritual Teachers we hear so clearly that there is a Way of Beauty and of Peace, that there is a Capacity for Healing within us. The cells of our body know this; our heart senses this beneath the tremble of fear, anxiety, and sorrow. And with support and guidance, we can bring inner stability, freedom, and healing through all the layers of our emotional and thinking life, right to the depths of our being.
This year we are practicing to develop our inner stability and freedom, nourishing our inspiration, and allowing the innate capacity for healing to grow in our lives.
About the teacher
Michael is a lineage holding Dharma teacher in the tradition of the Venerable Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh. (Michael’s Dharma name is Chan Trung Dao, True Middle Way.) He lived as a monk for seven years in Plum Village, France, and has worked intimately with Thich Nhat Hanh and the monastic community to organize, support and offer meditation retreats around the world. A skilled musician, he studied voice training and chanting of several European and Asian traditions and served for several years as an English language chant master in the monastery. He lives now in New Hampshire with his wife and children, where they are building a residential mindfulness practice community and education center for sustainable living.
Retreat Format
This residential retreat is designed for both beginning and experienced practitioners. It will center on periods of sitting and walking meditation and Dharma talks by our teacher. There will be small-group Dharma discussions, meal meditations, and active, mindful work practice. Periods of silence will deepen and enrich the experience by allowing time for personal reflection.
American Bodhi Center
The American Bodhi Center is a beautiful rural sanctuary developed by members of the Texas Buddhist Association. It is located on 500 acres just north of Hempstead, Texas. There are beautiful grounds to enjoy, two dormitories, a library/meditation hall, and a dining hall. The mission statement on their website reads: American Bodhi Center upholds Buddha’s teaching by promoting an engaged form of Buddhism through education, culture, philanthropy, and service to the public. Please note that smoking is not allowed on the ABC campus. https://americanbodhicenter.org/
Accommodations
The separate dormitories for women and men have a variety of room types. Mattress covers are provided, but you will need to bring your own sheets, pillows, and blankets. In each dormitory there are five double rooms with private bath, two dorm rooms which accommodate 4 - 8 people (bunk beds) each, and two dorm rooms with cubicles partitioned for privacy. These rooms share a bath down the hall. There are five single rooms (for women) with private bath in the library/meditation hall building. Room requests will be filled on a first come, first serve basis. If you are requesting a particular roommate or roommates, please note this on your registration.
Our lives are preoccupied with the demands of our relationships, work, and family. Our hearts are wounded by the immense stories of the suffering of our times. We are in a constant state of anxiety, anger, fear, and even hatred, consuming much suffering through our senses, bodies, and minds. We long to experience true happiness, inner peace, and freedom that lie within each of us.
When we listen to the sage advice of our Spiritual Teachers we hear so clearly that there is a Way of Beauty and of Peace, that there is a Capacity for Healing within us. The cells of our body know this; our heart senses this beneath the tremble of fear, anxiety, and sorrow. And with support and guidance, we can bring inner stability, freedom, and healing through all the layers of our emotional and thinking life, right to the depths of our being.
This year we are practicing to develop our inner stability and freedom, nourishing our inspiration, and allowing the innate capacity for healing to grow in our lives.
About the teacher
Michael is a lineage holding Dharma teacher in the tradition of the Venerable Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh. (Michael’s Dharma name is Chan Trung Dao, True Middle Way.) He lived as a monk for seven years in Plum Village, France, and has worked intimately with Thich Nhat Hanh and the monastic community to organize, support and offer meditation retreats around the world. A skilled musician, he studied voice training and chanting of several European and Asian traditions and served for several years as an English language chant master in the monastery. He lives now in New Hampshire with his wife and children, where they are building a residential mindfulness practice community and education center for sustainable living.
Retreat Format
This residential retreat is designed for both beginning and experienced practitioners. It will center on periods of sitting and walking meditation and Dharma talks by our teacher. There will be small-group Dharma discussions, meal meditations, and active, mindful work practice. Periods of silence will deepen and enrich the experience by allowing time for personal reflection.
American Bodhi Center
The American Bodhi Center is a beautiful rural sanctuary developed by members of the Texas Buddhist Association. It is located on 500 acres just north of Hempstead, Texas. There are beautiful grounds to enjoy, two dormitories, a library/meditation hall, and a dining hall. The mission statement on their website reads: American Bodhi Center upholds Buddha’s teaching by promoting an engaged form of Buddhism through education, culture, philanthropy, and service to the public. Please note that smoking is not allowed on the ABC campus. https://americanbodhicenter.org/
Accommodations
The separate dormitories for women and men have a variety of room types. Mattress covers are provided, but you will need to bring your own sheets, pillows, and blankets. In each dormitory there are five double rooms with private bath, two dorm rooms which accommodate 4 - 8 people (bunk beds) each, and two dorm rooms with cubicles partitioned for privacy. These rooms share a bath down the hall. There are five single rooms (for women) with private bath in the library/meditation hall building. Room requests will be filled on a first come, first serve basis. If you are requesting a particular roommate or roommates, please note this on your registration.
double with private bath
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dorm with shared bath (4 - 8 people)
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private cubicle with shared bath (although there are bunk beds, only one person will be assigned to each cubicle)
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Depending on availability, we may also be able to provide single occupancy rooms (with private bath) for men. This option for men is not certain yet, so during registration, please indicate if you would like to be put on the waitlist.
Meals
Vegetarian meals are included in the price of the retreat beginning with dinner Friday evening. We regret that we are unable to fill special dietary requests.
Dana
The Buddhist teachings are considered priceless, and teachers do not charge for their services. Dana is the practice of giving. It manifests the fundamental interconnectedness of life and is a way for us to support the life and work of the teacher. There will be an opportunity to make a donation to Michael either with your registration or at the retreat. We suggest dana in the range of $90 - $150, but are grateful for whatever you are able to give.
Arrival/Departure
Check-in will be from 4:00 – 6:00 PM on Friday, November 3. Please note that the gates to the center are locked at 7:00 PM. The retreat will end after lunch on Sunday.
Retreat Registration Rate: November 3-5, 2023 (Cost per person)
Note: Early bird registration deadline is September 30, 2023
Payment Information & Deadlines
Scholarships
Partial scholarships may be available. Our ability to offer scholarships depends on donations to the scholarship fund. If you need assistance, please complete the separate scholarship application form. The scholarship application deadline is September 30.
For retreat-related question, contact mindfulness_houston@yahoo.com
Vegetarian meals are included in the price of the retreat beginning with dinner Friday evening. We regret that we are unable to fill special dietary requests.
Dana
The Buddhist teachings are considered priceless, and teachers do not charge for their services. Dana is the practice of giving. It manifests the fundamental interconnectedness of life and is a way for us to support the life and work of the teacher. There will be an opportunity to make a donation to Michael either with your registration or at the retreat. We suggest dana in the range of $90 - $150, but are grateful for whatever you are able to give.
Arrival/Departure
Check-in will be from 4:00 – 6:00 PM on Friday, November 3. Please note that the gates to the center are locked at 7:00 PM. The retreat will end after lunch on Sunday.
Retreat Registration Rate: November 3-5, 2023 (Cost per person)
Note: Early bird registration deadline is September 30, 2023
- Single with private bath (for women) - SOLD OUT!
- Early Bird: $415
- Regular: $440
- Double with Private bath
- Early Bird: $390
- Regular: $415
- Dorm (4-8 people) with shared bath down the hall
- Early Bird: $335
- Regular: $360
- Private cubicle in dorm room with shared bath down the hall
- Early Bird: $335
- Regular: $360
Payment Information & Deadlines
- A non-refundable deposit of $75 will hold your reservation, but to receive the early discount the full amount must be received by Sept. 30, 2023
- For your convenience, we offer an online payment method. If you would rather use another form of payment, please email mindfulness_houston@yahoo.com to inquire.
- Final registration deadline: October 20, 2023
- Refund of full payments (less $75) will be granted until October 16, 2023
Scholarships
Partial scholarships may be available. Our ability to offer scholarships depends on donations to the scholarship fund. If you need assistance, please complete the separate scholarship application form. The scholarship application deadline is September 30.
For retreat-related question, contact mindfulness_houston@yahoo.com
