Luminous Mind Fall Retreat: Opening to Awakening 

A Mahamudra Retreat with Claudia Hansson

Join us for the 2012 Luminous Mind Retreat at St. Mary's in Sewanee, TN. The retreat will be held in noble silence, Wednesday evening through Sunday noon. It will be a rare opportunity: the first-ever Mahamudra retreat held in Tennessee, with daily, step-by-step instruction.

DESCRIPTION: The intention of the retreat is to set up the conditions that lead to the discovery of awakened awareness. Over the course of the retreat, we will cover the four yogas of Mahamudra as taught by Gompopa: one-pointedness, non-elaboration, one taste and non-meditation.

We will start with developing a stable base of attention and move through insight meditations on the body, thoughts and emotions, and then introduce the practices of one taste and non-meditation from the Mahamudra (Direct Awareness) teachings that lead to the direct experience of mind’s nature.

We will be using a variety of techniques including guided meditations, outdoor practice, daily individual interviews and movement practices during the course of the retreat. The retreat will be silent and there will be a combination of both group and individual practice time. A good foundation in shamatha (calm abiding) or attention practices will be very helpful.

TEACHER: Claudia Hansson began practicing over 18 yrs ago and has studied primarily with Tibetan trained Western teachers from the Karma Kaygu and Shangpa Kagyu traditions. She is a senior student of Ken McLeod and has received the benefit of several years of training in the Buddhist Teacher Development Program which he directed. She was authorized to teach by Dan Jorgensen and Ken McLeod in 2003. In recent years her practice has been centered in Tibetan vajrayana, mahamudra and dzogchen practices.

Claudia emphasizes awareness of the body and the development of stable attention as the foundation for all other practices. Claudia has an extensive background in higher education as a professor, counselor and administrator. She currently co-owns and operates Sierra Mental Fitness Inc., a neuro-feedback center in Roseville, California.

For more on Claudia, go to Clear Mountain Wisdom.

LOCATION: The retreat is held in noble silence at St. Mary's Sewanee, located atop Monteagle Mountain on 200 acres of pristine land. The building is on a bluff overlooking the side of the mountain and the valley below. The grounds offer a labyrinth, walking trails, outdoor benches, and other opportunities to enjoy nature. Delicious meals are provided with individual needs taken into consideration. There are no daily chores for retreatants.

LOGISTICS: Retreat begins at 7:00 p.m. September 12. You may check in any time after 4:30. Please make arrangements for your own dinner. Retreat completes with group lunch on Sunday.

LODGING is in St. Mary’s dorm — one or two persons per room. If you are planning to share a room, please make arrangements with your preferred roommate and let us know, if possible. Restrooms with ample showers are located on each floor.

COST: The retreat fee of $362 (double room) or $423 (single room) covers direct costs such as room and board. A deposit of $100 is requested to hold your place.The balance  is due by August 31. A limited number of spaces are available.

In addition, we invite you to offer a donation to the teacher (dana). The teachings are offered by donation, and rely on your generosity. Donations will be received at retreat and may be offered anonymously, or you may donate online via Paypal when you register. Some people may be able to donate more; some less. The amount is up to each person.
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