† MINDFULNESS RETREAT ¢

The Salt Marsh Sangha invites you to a mindfulness retreat in the tradition of Thich Nhat Hanh. The retreat is residential with silent sitting meditation, indoor and outdoor walking meditation and daily Dharma talks by our teacher, Dharma discussions, and Sutra services. The retreat is suitable for both beginning and experienced meditation practitioners.

Living Our Deepest Aspirations

June 18 - 21, 2015

This retreat will focus on helping us touch and live our deepest aspiration through the example and practice of the bodhisattvas (awakened beings).

In Buddhism, the bodhisattvas live each moment with the great aspiration to help all beings. They are known individually for capacities that they developed to a high degree, such as wisdom, compassion and right action. They know that the joy of others is their own joy. That is the wisdom of inter-being, of inter-connection. Happiness is not an individual matter.

Many of us embark on the spiritual path in order to help and serve others. On this retreat we will explore the wisdom of the Bodhisattvas, who have vowed to save all beings.

Our teacher Michael Ciborski lived at Plum Village monastery in France for nine years, training in the meditative arts as monk. He lived and worked intimately with Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh and the monastic community to organize, support, and offer meditation retreats around the world. He is an ordained dharma teacher.

In 2003 Michael departed Plum Village and married Fern Dorresteyn. Now they have a son, Laurian, and two daughters, Seriena and Fiana. Together Michael and Fern have started a residential lay practice center in New Hampshire, where they enjoy practicing the art of permaculture, living lightly on the land, and raising their children.

RegistrationPlease complete, cut on the fold, and return this form.

Name ______________________________________

Mailing Address ______________________________

City/State/Zip _______________________________

Cell Phone __________________________________

Home/Work Phone ___________________________

Email _______________________________________

Emergency Contact Name _______________________

Emergency Contact Number _____________________

____ I’d prefer to camp (Subtract $20.00)

____ Indoors, I can sleep on a mattress or pad on floor

____ Indoors, I’d like to sleep on a bed

____ Indoors, I can share a bed with _______________

All meals are vegetarian. Please list any dietary restrictions, although we may not be able to meet them:

____________________________________________

The retreat organizers have found it helpful to have a few people come early and/or stay late. Would you consider coming early or staying late?

___ I can come early on Thursday and help with retreat setup and preparation.

___ I can stay after 3:00 pm on Sunday to help clean up.

I’m enclosing $ ______ for my registration.

Please return form and payment to

Salt Marsh Sangha C/O AJ JohnstonPO Box 473

Eastville, VA 23347Checks are payable to: Salt Marsh Sangha

I’d like to receive confirmation via

____email (preferred) ; or _____ US Postal Service

Date and Time: Please arrive between 5 and 6pm on Thursday, June 18th. The retreat ends between 2-3 pm Sunday, June 21st.

Registration: Registration opens April 15th, 2015 and closes June 12th. Space is limited so please register early. Registering early greatly supports retreat planning efforts.

Setting: Our retreat will be on a historic property and former plantation on the Eastern Shore of Virginia, a few miles northwest of Eastville. After you have registered, you will receive detailed driving instructions.

Lodging: A variety of accommodations are available. You may bring a tent or camper. Indoor accommodations include beds or a mattress or pad on the floor. Please bring your own bedding and towels.

Retreat Costs: This year we are experimenting with offering a sliding scale. Please pay at the highest level you can comfortably afford. Early registration (before May 22nd) costs $75-100. After May 22nd, the cost is $95-120. This covers food, accommodation rentals, and transportation for our teacher. Campers receive a $20 discount. No one is turned away due to inability to pay.

Scholarships: Scholarships and payment plans are available from the Salt Marsh Sangha. Contact the Retreat Director, Rudi Whitmore 330-883-6307; rudiwhitmore@gmail.com.

Dana Donations: The teachings of the Buddha are considered priceless. Traditionally Dharma teachers do not charge for their teachings. At the retreat there will be an opportunity to make a donation to Michael to support him and his family. For normally employed people, $75-$100 is suggested, but not required.

Retreat Logistics