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Seeing That Frees: Exploring the Path of Emptiness

In Seeing That Frees, Rob Burbea describes a gradual path, leading from the foundations of Insight Meditation to the perception of emptiness, the lack of intrinsic existence in all phenomena. Burbea’s approach invites us to practice ways of attending to experience that reduce dukkha and give birth to freedom and relief. These liberating ways of looking, suggested by the Buddha and later Buddhist teachers, may gently and gradually relax our perception of self and world, as usually constructed. Tracking such alterations of perception can be a doorway to deepening insight into the empty nature of phenomena, revealing a natural sense of perfection and boundlessness in experience.

Note: This retreat, led by the sole active teacher Rob Burbea authorized to teach the whole of Seeing That Frees, will be based on Burbea’s teachings in the book and also from the retreat:Meditations on Emptiness.You are welcome to read or listen to help you get a sense of whether this program is right for you and to support you in attuning to its spirit.

Program Format: Much of this retreat will be dedicated to silent practice with daily meditation instructions and dharma talks and some group practice meetings.

Note: If you are hoping to attend both retreats with Yahel, please note this in your registration.

Noble Silence:

The program will be held in noble silence.

Experience Level:

Suitable for intermediate and advanced practitioners.

Prerequisites:

  1. Maintained a regular meditation practice for at least five years.
  2. Completed a minimum of two five-night residential retreats.

Cancellation Policy:

We understand that personal circumstances may require you to cancel your registration. In these cases, please contact us right away. If you cancel more than eight weeks before the program starts, you are eligible for a full refund minus a $50 administrative fee. If you cancel between three and eight weeks before the program starts, you are eligible for a 50% refund of the deposit. Registration fees are nonrefundable less than three weeks before the program starts.

Schedule:

Please note that the daily schedule will vary (sometimes significantly) from program to program. Below please find a typical schedule, keeping in mind that it will not directly reflect every program.

Opening Day

2:00 – 5:45 pm Check-in

4:30 pm BCBS Campus Tour (optional)

5:50 – 6:30 pm Kitchen Orientation and Dinner

7:30 – 9:00 pm Opening Session

Middle Day(s)

6:30 am Wake-up Bell

7:00 – 7:30 am Group Sitting Practice

7:30 – 8:00 am Breakfast

8:00 – 9:00 am Work Practice or Rest

9:00 am – noon Morning Session

12:00 – 2:30 pm Lunch

12:30 – 2:00 pm Work Practice or Rest

2:00 – 5:00 pm Afternoon Session

5:00 – 5:30 pm Dinner

5:30 – 7:00 pm Work Practice or Rest

7:00 – 9:00 pm Evening Session

Closing Day

6:30 am Wake-up Bell

7:00 – 7:30 am Group Sitting Practice

7:30 – 8:00 am Breakfast

8:00 – 9:00 am Work Practice or Rest

9:00 am – noon Closing Session

12:00 – 12:30 pm Lunch (optional)