Cultivating the Wise Heart: Spring 2020 Retreat May 1-3

The Mindful Heart Buddha Sangha is happy to have Donald Rothberg leading our spring 2020 weekend retreat. The topic will be Cultivating the Wise Heart: Practicing the “Divine Abodes” (Lovingkindness, Compassion, Joy, Equanimity).

The Divine Abodes (Brahmaviharas) of loving kindness, compassion, joy, and equanimity, are the places of the open, awakened heart. In this retreat, on the foundation of mindfulness, we will learn the formal practices of loving kindness, compassion, joy, and equanimity. We will also offer guidance for bringing these practices into daily life, including in challenging situations. All of these practices strengthen clear seeing and wisdom, self-confidence, self-acceptance, generosity of spirit, steadiness of mind and heart, and skillful action, revealing our fundamental kindness and wisdom, in a culture in which heart and mind are often disconnected. The retreat will generally alternate silent sitting meditation and walking meditation. Core instructions in the different practices will be offered, along with talks, discussion, and brief daily guided movement sessions.

Vegetarian meals will be prepared by Common Ground Kitchen, which specializes in vegetarian and vegan cooking, and will include breakfast, lunch, and dinner Saturday. Breakfast and lunch on Sunday.

The cost for the retreat will be $185 and will include meals and private room with a private bathroom. Please return registration form, teacher questionnaire, and the $185 fee to the Dana box at MHBS or mail to Mindful Heart Buddha Sangha, 600 N. Weinbach Ave. #220, Evansville, In. 47711.  Registration deadline is April 1, 2020.  Scholarships are available.

For more information, contact: Michael Joest at md2113@wowway.com

Donald Rothberg, Ph.D., is a member of the Teachers Council at Spirit Rock in northern California. He has practiced Insight Meditation since 1976 and received training in Tibetan Dzogchen practice and the Hakomi approach to body-based psychotherapy. 

Formerly on the faculties of the University of Kentucky, Kenyon College, and Saybrook University, he has helped to guide training programs in socially engaged spirituality through the Buddhist Peace Fellowship, Saybrook, and Spirit Rock. 

Donald is the co-editor of Ken Wilber in Dialogue: Conversations with Leading Transpersonal Thinkers and is the author of The Engaged Spiritual Life: A Buddhist Approach to Transforming Ourselves and the World.