Island Dharma: Insight, Awareness and Bodhicitta

Island Dharma presents a week-long silent meditation retreat led by resident teacher Dr. Cheryl Fraser with special guest teachings by Lama Mark Webber. We are honoured to announce that Lama Mark has accepted our invitation to teach three classes on the second and third days of this retreat. Lama Mark will teach on the nature of Buddha Dharma using a text called ‘How Fortunate to Meet the Precious Dharma.’
Understanding what the Dharma is and what it is not clarifies the path of awakening. This profound clarification, called the View, gives us increasing confidence in why we meditate and the ensuing activity of the bodhisattva path. These classes will help direct us towards the unity of View, Meditation and Activity–Bodhicitta.
Dr. Cheryl Fraser will teach the bulk of the retreat on the following topics.“Why meditate?” Many beings come to the study of Dharma (teachings of Buddhist philosophy) and the practice of meditation to change something. Perhaps you are drawn to Buddhism because you want more calm, less distraction, more happiness, less pain and suffering. So what do we need to do?
Often we seek a clear mind by practicing intensive meditation. We seek as though that clear mind is outside of our regular experience, as though we somehow need to “get it” from somewhere. But instead of seeking elsewhere, we need to uncover the clear, calm, awake mind that is already present. Can you relax and let your attention settle so that the luminous awareness under the busy mind can be contacted? The Awake, Compassionate mind is available at all times.
What’s more, while a desire to reduce our own suffering brings us to the path of Dharma, Bodhicitta is what will escort us along the path. Bodhicitta is the desire to help liberate all beings from suffering. In this retreat, you will begin to experience the shifts in mind and the confidence in awakening that occur when we are driven by Right View and Right Intention.
This silent retreat will include sitting and walking meditation. There will be periods of Insight concentration practice, using breath as an object and we will practice Open Awareness meditation. There will be Daily Dharma talks and the opportunity for interviews with the teacher. Yoga will be offered (moving meditation in the form of yoga is an excellent support for the sitting meditation practice). This retreat will also focus on assisting students to build strength, or merit, through the exploration of the SixPerfections (Parami)- Generosity, Integrity, Patience, Diligence, Concentration, and Insight.