Join Sharon and Sylvia Boorstein for their annual retreat at the Garrison Institute. In this retreat we will explore the path to an enlightened heart and mind through the lens of integrity. The Buddha is said to have focused on developing the qualities of virtue—Generosity, Morality, Renunciation, Wisdom, Energy, Patience, Truthfulness, Determination, Lovingkindness and Equanimity—as the basis for his liberation through keen and loving attention.
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We will explore how these virtues are manifestations of wisdom as well as supports for it. For example, behaving morally assures a guilt-free mind which is an act of compassion in itself. Also, the perfection of these virtues assures a greater degree of peace and freedom in our everyday lives, regardless of the situations in which we find ourselves or our level of insight.
We will alternate periods of silent sitting and walking meditation with didactic presentations and question and answer periods. Retreatants will be asked to undertake the practice of social silence (speaking only in question and answer sessions or for assistance with retreat logistics) in order to allow each participant to have ample opportunity to attend to their own inner process. There will be a guided Hatha Yoga session each day. The retreat is appropriate for both beginning and experienced meditation practitioners.
The retreat will be supported by a daily period of instructions in yoga by Brahmani Liebman to enhance the contemplative mood of the retreat. The yoga will be suitable for everyone who decides to participate.
Join Sylvia and Sharon for their annual retreat at Garrison Institute. This year’s retreat focuses on REAL LOVE. To love ourselves, we must know ourselves. To love one another, we must know one another. But our assumptions, distractions, fears, expectations, and personal sense of unworthiness obscure these kernels of truth. We yearn for connection with others—but our minds get in the way, constantly spinning judgments about how we are fundamentally alienated from one another. As William James wisely explained, “Our view of the world is truly shaped by what we decide to hear.” We can train ourselves to change, to “hear” more of what is out there—and to “listen” less to our limiting and often self-condemning thoughts along the way. Scholarships are available for this program.
Sharon Salzberg has been leading meditation retreats worldwide since 1974. She teaches both intensive awareness practice (vipassana or insight meditation) and the profound cultivation of lovingkindness and compassion (the Brahma Viharas). She is a co-founder of the Insight Meditation Society in Barre, Massachusetts and The Barre Center for Buddhist Studies. Sharon’s latest book is the New York Times Best Seller, Real Happiness: The Power of Meditation: A 28-Day Program, published by Workman Publishing.
Sylvia Boorstein, a psychotherapist since 1967, has been a meditation teacher since 1985 and is a co-founding teacher of Spirit Rock Meditation Center in Woodacre, CA. She is the author of many books, including It’s Easier Than You Think: The Buddhist Way to Happiness; Don’t Just Do Something, Sit There and That’s Funny, You Don’t Look Buddhist: On Being a Faithful Jew and a Passionate Buddhist.
Join Sharon Salzberg and 
About Sylvia Boorstein
About Sharon Salzberg
