SPIRITUAL
RETREATS
SAT CHIT
ANAND
RETREAT WITH LEELA:
Spiritual Director of Sat Chit Anand
The Path to Happiness
and Freedom
from Suffering
Friday 06 – Sunday 08 May 2005
THE PATH TO HAPPINESS AND FREEDOM FROM SUFFERING
Everybody wants happiness and nobody wants suffering. Yet we
constantly create the causes for more suffering. Why is this? Because
we don’t understand the true causes of happiness and suffering. Using
the Four Noble Truths as a foundation, this retreat will examine the
true causes of happiness and suffering which exist within our own
minds. Since we don’t like suffering, there is no choice: we have to
practice Dharma!
The Buddha taught a Path that leads to
happiness, freedom and enlightenment. This Path starts with a
realisation of the suffering of unenlightened existence, which is
experienced physically (sickness, bodily ailments etc) or mentally
(tension, inner dissatisfaction, discontent etc). The Buddha called
suffering a Holy Truth, because our suffering has the capacity of
showing us the Path to liberation. It is the mud out of which
beautiful lotus flowers can grow.
We will examine
in detail the nature of suffering and see how it effects our lives. We
will look at the true causes of suffering, so that we may learn how to
recognise, transform and eventually eliminate them. We will apply the
teachings to our own lives, so that we may gain insight and
understanding, and start to create the causes for happiness. According
to the Buddha, the end of all suffering is possible: this is the state
of Nirvana. We will learn how to walk the Path to true happiness,
spiritual freedom, and the bliss of enlightened existence, using
practices from Plum Village Monastery, such as the practice of
cultivating moment-to-moment mindfulness, the practice of conscious breathing,
the practice of peace, the practice of beginning anew, the practice of
touching positive seeds, the practice of flower watering and more.
"To live diligently and mindfully, to perceive the Noble Truths, and
to realize Nirvana - this is the greatest happiness." [Discourse on
Happiness] May all beings be happy. May all beings be free from
suffering.
"You are me, and I am you.
Isn't it obvious that we
inter-are?
You cultivate the flower in
yourself,
so that I will be beautiful.
I transform the garbage in
myself,
so that you will not have to
suffer.
I support you, you support me.
I am in this world to offer you
peace.
You are in this world to bring
me joy."
Poem by Thich Nhat Hanh
LEELA
has degrees in Psychology and Law, and practiced as attorney in
Johannesburg. Strongly drawn to Eastern religion and philosophy, she
spent several years travelling in India, doing retreats, attending
teachings and studying under Spiritual Masters and Buddhist Teachers.
She is an ordained member of the Lay Monastic Sangha and Order of
Interbeing of Venerable Thich Nhat Hanh, from whom she received the
Dharma name ‘True Stream of Light’. Her approach is non-sectarian and
is based on the teachings of Thich Nhat Hanh, whom she feels has a
special capacity and talent of making Buddhism available to
Westerners. She lives in Plettenberg Bay, where she runs Sat Chit
Anand Buddhist Centre, and continues to study, practice and teach the
Dharma (Divine Law).
SAT CHIT ANAND is a Buddhist Centre
and Guesthouse in Plettenberg Bay. It has been hosting meditations
and Buddhist teachings for several years, and in 2005 it is pleased
to host spiritual retreats, which may be attended on a
residential or non-residential basis. A retreat is a time to remove
oneself from the distractions of the world, and focus intensely on
one’s spiritual practice. Traditionally this involves receiving and
contemplating teachings, meditating and doing spiritual practices.
WEEKEND RETREAT SCHEDULE
FRIDAY:
19h00 – 20h00: Introductory talk
20h00 – 21h00: Evening meditation
Noble silence till morning Dharma talk
SATURDAY:
09h00 – 10h00: Dharma talk
10h00 – 11h00: Dharma discussion and practice
TEA BREAK
11h30 – 12h30: Guided meditation
12h30: LUNCH
14h00 – 15h00: Dharma talk
15h00 – 16h00: Dharma discussion and practice
TEA BREAK
Free time, walking meditation on beach
18h00: SUPPER
19h00 – 20h00: Q & A session
20h00 – 21h00: Evening Meditation
Noble silence till morning Dharma talk
SUNDAY:
09h00 – 10h00: Dharma talk
10h00 – 11h00: Dharma discussion and practice
TEA BREAK
11h30 – 12h30: Guided meditation
12h30: LUNCH
14h00 – 15h00: Dharma talk
15h00 – 16h00: Sharing
TEA and depart home
COST
RESIDENTIAL: Retreats commence on Friday evening and finish on Sunday
afternoon. Price includes 2 nights shared accommodation in garden
cottages, meals (vegetarian food only), and teacher’s dana.
Residential: R500
NON-RESIDENTIAL: Special price for local residents who wish to attend
the retreats, excluding accommodation, but including meals, and
teacher’s dana.
Non-residential: R300
Deposit of 50% is payable
upon reservation of place for residential retreats, and balance payable in cash or cheque upon
arrival. Deposit may be posted or paid into bank account, details of which
will be provided when booking is made. If booking is cancelled 2 weeks
prior to retreat, the deposit will be refunded, less cancellation fee of
R100.
Plettenberg Bay is a
popular holiday destination. It is possible to come early and/or stay
after the retreat. Special rates for retreatants participating in our
conducted retreats, who wish to stay longer in our self-catering cottages, are R150 per person per
night.
