Mindfulness to Heartfulness
​
2023 Summer Retreat at the Sudhana Center

There is a profound freedom from recognizing, "I am not my thoughts," and in today's world, an even more transformative realization can be, "I am not my emotions." In meditation, both thoughts and emotions come and go within a backdrop of a grounded and compassionate awareness.

During this retreat, we will cultivate this caring awareness and apply it to our daily activities in a spirit of service. As we engage our lives, this energy of kindness and compassion radiate from within us to our friends and family, communities, and even the world at large.

Join us for a week-long retreat that combines contemplative stillness with mindful movement in a peaceful monastic setting. It will be a time to recharge, reflect, and renew your inner spirit while serving others with heartfulness.

Spaces are limited. Please sign up early.

When:
Sat, June 3, 3:00pm – Sat, June 10, 11am, 2023​ 

Program:
We will follow a daily schedule of recitation, seated meditation, sutra study and community work. 

All participants must participate full time and take up residency at Sudhana Center for the whole duration of the retreat to maintain the community atmosphere.

Covid-19 safety measures: 

In order to ensure everyone’s health and well-being, we recommend that participants be up to date on vaccination, which includes receiving any booster shots that they are eligible for. There will be a Covid test on the day of arrival and regular testing during the retreat. Masks may be required indoors. Participants who test positive or develop symptoms during the retreat may need to return home. We also ask that participants reduce their risk of exposure starting 5 days before the retreat. More details will be shared closer to arrival day.
Application process: Please fill out the application. Space-permitting, we will follow up with an interview via phone, Zoom, or in person. If you are not admitted to the retreat, your full payment will be refunded. Given the length of the form, you may find it helpful to work on your answers in a separate document and then paste them in.

Application: Please apply

Fees for retreat:
  • Basic Costs: $500
  • Pay It Forward: $750 (support others)
  • Contribute in Other Ways: Pay what you can and share wealth in other ways (if you choose this option, we will send you an email with details)

    If you wish, you can donate online to support our programs.

Cancellation Policy: For cancellations made 10 days prior to arrival day, refunds will be available minus the $25 application fee. Cancellations made less than 10 days before retreat arrival day do not qualify for a refund. Registration is non-transferable.
Tentative Schedule:
5:00-5:50
Morning Ceremony
6:00-6:15
Stretching
6:15-7:00
Seated Meditation
7:00-8:00
Breakfast, cleanup, personal time
8:15-10:00
Sutra Study - Lecture
10:15-11:00
Seated Meditation
11:00-11:15
Meal Offering
11:15-NOON
Lunch
12:00-1:45
Clean up, personal time
1:45-2:00
Great Compassion Mantra Recitation
2:00-2:15
Stretching
2:15-3:00
Seated Meditation
3:00-4:00
Afternoon Class / Group Discussion ​
4:15-5:00
Seated Meditation / Dharma 101 ​
5:00-6:30
Dinner, cleanup, personal time
6:30-7:30
Evening Ceremony
7:30-9:00
Evening Lecture
9:00-9:30
Seated Meditation
9:30-9:40
Three Refuges; Universal Worthy Exhortation
Check-in / Retreat start time / Retreat end date
Arrival day: Please arrive between 3pm-5pm to check-in and get your room assignment.
Last day: The retreat will end at 11am
​Noble Silence:
To maintain an inner and outer environment of concentration, we will observe Noble Silence throughout the retreat. However, participants may speak during discussion periods and lectures, and as-needed during community work. 

No Digital Devices:
Please 'unplug' and refrain from using digital technology like cell phones, laptops, tablets and music players during the retreat. This week is a rare opportunity to look deeply into our minds free of the distractions from our devices (while giving others the space to do so as well).

Service as Practice:
Service plays a central role in the overall retreat experience by bringing the Dharma into daily life, supporting others, and creating a sense of community. During the retreat, everyone will be given a simple work duty such as kitchen-prep, cleaning, and dish washing. We hope to foster an environment where work, study, and practice are all integrated into one holistic experience.

Location:
DRBU Sudhana Center
225 South Hope Street in Ukiah, California

Contact Us:
​Please email retreats@drbu.edu  if you have any questions. 
​Guidelines

​General Guidelines for your visit.
About Instructors

Doug Powers is a professor at Dharma Realm Buddhist University.
Logistics & Information

​Accommodations, packing list, meals, weather, and more.