James Baraz (residential and non-residential retreat)

We’re happy to welcome James Baraz back to Wisconsin to lead a retreat March 20–22, 2020. A compassionate and wise teacher, James has been a wonderful friend to our sangha for many years.

The retreat will be held at Holy Wisdom Monastery in Middleton. It will be nonresidential, with a residential option for a limited number of practitioners. Holy Wisdom offers a beautiful and peaceful setting for this wonderful practice opportunity.

RETREAT DESCRIPTION

The theme of the retreat will be Equanimity: Finding Balance in Our Practice. Equanimity or upekkha is a highly valued quality in Buddhist teachings. It is one of the four Divine Abodes (along with loving-kindness, compassion, and joy), one of the Seven Factors of Enlightenment, and one of the Ten Paramitas. When highly developed, it is the precursor to the experience of awakening. But what is equanimity? How can we cultivate it in our meditation practice? Even more, how can we access it in our daily life, especially in times like these with so much uncertainty, fear, and sadness over the suffering in the world?

Our theme for this weekend will be developing equanimity in our formal practice. In addition, we will explore various aspects of equanimity that can be pragmatically applied to our life off the cushion.

Both beginners and experienced meditators are welcome at this retreat. Sitting meditation periods will alternate with periods of walking meditation throughout each day. James will offer daily Dhamma talks and opportunities for small-group practice interviews. The retreat will be held in Noble Silence.

As an introduction to James’s teachings, see “Equanimity: Finding Balance in Difficult Times.” If you’d like to listen to some of James’s talks, you can choose from more than 700 available on Dharma Seed.

COST

Registration fees are on a sliding-scale basis. Fees cover your room (for residential retreatants), simple vegetarian meals (lunch and dinner for all and breakfast for residents), teacher transportation, teacher room and meals, facility rental costs, and miscellaneous expenses. The sliding scale goes from 50% to 150% of actual costs, and within this range you’re invited to offer the amount that best suits your circumstances. Please pay at the highest level of the sliding scale you can afford; this gives an opportunity to attend to others who need to pay less. If the lower end of the range exceeds what you can afford, please offer the amount that best suits your circumstances.

In keeping with Theravada Buddhist tradition, there is no charge for the teachings; however, a freewill donation (dāna) to the teacher is encouraged.

CANCELLATIONS

All cancellations are subject to a nonrefundable $50 fee. Cancellations received on or before February 21 will be refunded the retreat fee less $50. Refunds, less $50, will be given to those canceling after February 21 only if there is another person wanting to register for the retreat.

YOUNG ADULTS AND PERSONS OF COLOR

We want to encourage attendance at our retreats by young adults (18–26) and those identifying as persons of color. Recognizing that our retreats fill almost immediately after they are announced, we hold a few spaces open for additional registrations from young adults and persons of color until two weeks before the retreat opens—in this case, until March 6. Thus, until March 6, one or more reserved spaces may still be available even if the website says the retreat is full. After March 6, we will fill the reserved spaces from the retreat’s waiting list.

If you have questions about whether spaces are still available, please contact the registrar at registrar.madvip@gmail.com.

SPECIAL NEEDS

To inquire about special situations, contact the registrar at registrar.madvip@gmail.com. Please note that we are unable to accommodate special dietary needs.

CHEMICAL SENSITIVITY

In consideration of those with chemical sensitivities, please refrain from using perfumes or scented shampoos, ointments, or lotions.

SCHEDULE

RIDE SHARING

There is a section in the registration form where you can request or offer a ride to and from Holy Wisdom. Or you can contact the registrar at registrar.madvip@gmail.com..

TO REGISTER

To register, complete this online registration form. Registration is on a space-available basis, and early registration is encouraged. If the retreat is full, you will be placed on a waiting list. Those on the waiting list who do not get a spot will receive a full refund. Please note that your place in the registration queue will not be secured until we receive your payment as well as your registration form.

There are two ways to pay for the retreat:

BY CREDIT/DEBIT CARD or PAYPAL ACCOUNT:

Note. You don’t need a PayPal account to pay electronically. Once on the PayPal site, you’ll be given the option to use a PayPal account or a major credit or debit card.

BY CHECK:

Make your check payable to Madison Vipassana, Inc., and mail it to:

Madison Vipassana, Inc.
Box #335
6907 University Ave.
Middleton, WI 53562

After registering, you will receive two emails, the first confirming that we received your registration. Close to the time of the retreat, you will receive another email providing information on the facility, driving directions, and recommendations on what to bring.

For questions about registration, contact the registrar at registrar.madvip@gmail.com.