The Mindful Heart Buddha Sangha is hosting a retreat with Matthew Flickstein on Friday August 24 through Sunday August 26, 2018

THE FOUR STAGES OF EMPTINESS RETREAT

This retreat delves into the deeply held views that prevent one from realizing their inherent freedom. There are four categories of views in this regard: the view of self with its corresponding belief in having total control over one’s life; the view that takes for granted that there is an external/objective world that exists beyond the mind; the view that thoughts and emotions have an independent reality beyond our perception of them; and the view that freedom is a reality that takes time and years of practice to realize. For each of these views there are corresponding contemplations and practices that enable participants to have a direct experience of the emptiness of these views. During the retreat there will also be Dharma talks, Q & A sessions, and student conferences.

Matthew Flickstein, a former psychotherapist, has been practicing and teaching insight meditation for over forty years. He founded The Forest Way in 1993. Matthew has studied with teachers from many spiritual traditions, and at one time was ordained as a monk in the Theravadan Buddhist tradition. In 1982 he co-founded the Bhavana Society Monastic and Meditation Center in West Virginia with Bhante Gunaratana. Matthew published two books through Wisdom Publications, Journey to the Center: A Meditation Workbook and Swallowing the River Ganges: A Comprehensive Practice Guide to the Path of Purification. A revised edition of Swallowing the River Ganges, entitled The Meditators Atlas: A Roadmap to the Inner World, was released by Wisdom in 2007. Matthew has recently published an e-book entitled Voices of Truth. Matthew produced two documentaries: With One Voice, a film featuring mystics from many of the world’s great spiritual traditions, and Eastern Mystics, a documentary that weaves together a tapestry of wisdom, compassion, and promise from the Buddhist, Hindu, Advaita, and Taoist traditions. Matthew currently leads meditation retreats internationally and mentors students who would like to teach meditation and share the Dharma with others.

Registration begins at 6:30 p.m. on Friday August 24 and the retreat starts at 7:30 p.m. Retreat ends on Sunday August 26 at 6 pm. This retreat will be a Vipassana style retreat with much of the time devoted to sitting and walking meditation. Dhamma talks will be given daily. There will be time to meet with the teacher, Matt Flickstein, in small groups. Noble silence will be observed throughout the retreat.

Price for the retreat is $160. This includes a private room with bathroom and shower, and all meals on Saturday and Sunday.

Please click the link below to print the form and mail the completed form with your payment to:

Matthew Flickstein Retreat
c/o Mindful Heart Buddha Sangha
Bradford Park Office Complex
600 N. Weinbach Suite 220
Evansville, IN 47711

Or put the completed form and your payment into an envelope marked “Matthew Flickstein Retreat” and drop in the dana box.

Reservations must be received by July 27, 2018.

Sarto Retreat Center is located at 4200 Kentucky Avenue, Evansville, Indiana 47711. Located on 54 acres on Evansville’s north side, Sarto Retreat Center has 55 Guest rooms, walking grounds, a wooded area, and adequate safe parking. The retreat center is handicapped accessible.

Click here for registration form.

For more information , call 812-434-6643 or E-mail mindfulheart@gmail.com