Mountains and Sky: Being Stable and Spacious of Heart - Meditation Retreat

With David Haskin, Jan Cittasubha Sheppard & Steven Spiro

We have within us the ability to be as solid and upright as a mountain and to have an open and spacious heart that joyfully embraces all of life, the challenging and the comfortable. When we live in this way, there is happiness and ease.

This practice is how we strengthen our ability to remain unshakeable and open to all experience. Please join us for the sixteenth annual Thaypassana retreat, at which we will, in supportive community, practice the teachings that lead us to steadiness and spaciousness.

Friday, January 16, 10:00am - 8:00pm
Saturday, January 17, 8:00am - 8:00pm
Sunday, January 18, 8:00am - 3:00pm

This retreat is in-person (residential and non-residential). Residential availability at Holy Wisdom Monastery is SOLD OUT; additional lodging is available at nearby hotels.

Non-residential Cost: $215 Residential Cost: $445

Steven Spiro is a Zen Chaplain ordained by Roshi Joan Halifax of the Prajna Mountain Order. He is the creator of Breathing Earth Qigong, which is offered as classes and retreats. He teaches the Dharma, as well as meditation and mindfulness in prisons, and heads the Wisconsin Prison Dharma Teachers’ Sangha. He’s an artist, spouse, grandfather, gardener, and dog lover.

Janice Cittasubha Sheppard is a Lay Buddhist Minister in the Theravada Thai Forest lineage of Ajahn Chah and Ajahn Sumedho, and a Community Dharma Leader through Spirit Rock Meditation Center. She teaches retreats in the Midwest, leads a weekly meditation group, and offers Buddhist pastoral services and mindfulness training in Wisconsin prisons.

David Haskin has been a student of Vietnamese Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh since 1993 and is an ordained member of his core practice community, The Order of Interbeing. David teaches mindfulness and meditation in WI prisons and to people in recovery, combat veterans and to men’s groups.

Non-Residential: $215: Retreatant will not lodge overnight at Holy Wisdom Monastery, but commute to the retreat (from home/hotel/etc.), while still doing one’s best to maintain Noble Silence/the retreat atmosphere for the duration of retreat. NOTE: ALL RESIDENTIAL SPOTS HAVE BEEN TAKEN.

Above costs include 3 vegetarian lunches & 2 dinners, (& continental breakfast & lodging for residential retreatants), coffee/tea, retreat facility fees, and other retreat expenses.

DANA: Following ancient tradition, the cost includes no compensation to the instructors. However, a contribution (dana) to the teachers is encouraged (more info provided at time of retreat).
Financial Assistance: There may be a limited number of partial scholarships available, depending on donations. Contact Maureen at maureenieb8@gmail.com for more information.
Deadlines & cancellations: Please register early for the retreat, as it always fills. All cancellations are subject to a nonrefundable $50 fee; cancellations on or before Dec.15 will be refunded the retreat fee, less $50. No refunds can be given if cancellations are received after Dec.15.

Registration/Payment: Please register here by Dec. 15. You are not registered until payment is made. Confirmation will be provided by e-mail along with additional retreat information. Participation is on a first-received basis. If the registration becomes full, you will be placed on a waiting list, to be contacted if space becomes available. By registering, you agree to have our email shared with Holy Wisdom Monastery. Send questions to maureenieb8@gmail.com

Please Pay The Registration Fee Here via Venmo or via PayPal. If you use Venmo, do NOT select “goods and services,” and for PayPal, please select “friends and family” – otherwise we only receive a portion of your payment, and the rest goes to Venmo/Paypal.

If you prefer not to pay electronically and/or prefer to pay via Zelle, please contact Maureen at maureenieb8@gmail.com

If you are able, please consider making an additional donation for scholarship support for others who don’t have the means to pay.

Influenza/Covid-19 Precautions
Given the increase of Covid infections again this Fall as well as the flu, attendance will require that you have not been recently exposed to the viruses and have no symptoms. Masks are optional and will be available for anyone who would prefer to wear one. We realize the Covid landscape is ever changing, and will follow the protocol of Public Health Madison/Dane County.

This flyer will also available at www.mindfulman.org