FROM TRANSCENDENCE TO TRANSMUTATION
A MEDITATION RETREAT WITH CHAS DICAPUA
In-person at Holy Wisdom Monastery in Middleton, WI, or online via Zoom
June 28–30, 2024
We are delighted that Chas DiCapua will return to Wisconsin to lead our summer retreat June 28–30, 2024. This hybrid retreat will be held in person at Holy Wisdom Monastery in Middleton, Wisconsin, and online via Zoom. The in-person retreat will be primarily 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 is “From Transcendence to Transmutation.” Vipassana meditation practice involves being mindful moment-to-moment with nonjudgmental attention, neither grasping after nor pushing away any experience. Practicing in this way, the meditator moves from a transcending to a transmutation approach, changing their relationship to what is difficult rather than trying to escape from or get rid of it. As this view is established, meditation and the Noble Eightfold Path become less of a struggle and more joyous.
This retreat will be suitable for both beginning and experienced meditators. It will be held in Noble Silence except when yogi participation is invited. There will be a daily Dhamma talk, question-and-answer sessions, small-group meetings, and instruction in standing qigong.
As an introduction to Chas’s teachings, check out his article “From Transcendence to Transmutation” posted here or any of his many talks on Dharma Seed. You’ll also find a collection of his short articles on the Open Door website.
COST
Registration fees are on a sliding-scale basis. 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 to give others who need to pay less the opportunity to attend. If the lower end of the range exceeds what you can afford, offer what you can.
In-person fees. Fees for those attending the retreat in person cover room (for residential retreatants), simple vegetarian meals, and fixed costs (teacher transportation, room, and meals; facility rental costs; and miscellaneous expenses).
Zoom fee. The fee for those attending online covers fixed costs only (teacher transportation, room, and meals; facility rental costs; and miscellaneous expenses).
In keeping with Theravāda Buddhist tradition, there is no charge for the teachings. However, toward the end of the retreat, there will be an opportunity to offer a free-will donation (dana) to the teacher in appreciation of the benefit you received.
We make room assignments on a first-come, first-served basis. If you’re comfortable sharing a room, please consider choosing that option so that more residential retreatants can be accommodated.
IN-PERSON ATTENDANCE
COVID PRECAUTIONS
We will be adhering to the following COVID precautions:
Retreatants must agree to a waiver of liability as part of registration.
To protect the community’s health, retreatants will be asked to take a COVID test at home the night before or the morning of the first day of the retreat (June 28). If the result is positive or you feel unwell, we ask that you remain home and notify the registrar at registrar@madisonmeditation.org.
We expect masks to be optional. If circumstances change, we will notify all registered retreatants.
Use of hand sanitizer is recommended, especially before meals.
RESERVED SPACES FOR YOUNG PEOPLE AND PERSONS OF COLOR
In line with our commitment to diversity and inclusion, we reserve the last few spots before the retreat fills up for young people (age 25 and under) and people of color who haven’t yet registered. We’ll reserve these spots until three weeks before the retreat (June 7). After that, we’ll open up any remaining spots to people on the waiting list. If you identify with one or both of those groups, check the appropriate box(es) on the registration form. If you have questions about whether spaces are still available, please contact the registrar at registrar@madisonmeditation.org.
MEALS
On each full day of the retreat, a vegetarian lunch and dinner will be served in the dining hall. A continental breakfast will be available for residential retreatants. The retreat will end after lunch on Sunday, June 30.
Please let us know if you have food allergies. While we can’t promise that Holy Wisdom will be able to accommodate special dietary needs, they try very hard to do so. A kitchen is available upstairs in the guesthouse for anyone who wishes to bring supplemental food.
SPECIAL NEEDS
If you want to use one of our assistive listening devices, please indicate this on the registration form. We find that these work best with your own earbuds or headphones. If you have questions about our devices, please contact Mike Kehl at mike.fiddlehead@gmail.com. To inquire about other needs, contact the registrar at registrar@madisonmeditation.org.
CHEMICAL SENSITIVITY
Please refrain from using perfumes, scented shampoos, ointments, or lotions in consideration of those with chemical sensitivities.
RIDESHARING
If you would like to request or offer a ride to and/or from Holy Wisdom, please indicate this on the registration form. Alternatively, contact the registrar at registrar@madisonmeditation.org.
SCHEDULE
Friday, June 28: 9:15 am – 8:30 pm
Check-in at Holy Wisdom: 8:15 am – 9:00 am
Orientation for those new to retreat: 8:30 am – 9:00 am
Saturday, June 29: 9:00 am – 8:30 pm
Sunday, June 30: 9:00 am – 1:00 pm
Please note: The teacher may make slight changes to this schedule.
TO REGISTER
To register for either in-person or Zoom attendance, please COMPLETE ONLINE REGISTRATION by Friday, June 21.
In-person attendance. We encourage you to register early, especially if you would like to stay at Holy Wisdom. If the retreat is full, we can place you on the waiting list. If you do not get an in-person spot and you elect to attend by Zoom instead, you may request a refund of part of your registration fee. If you don’t choose to attend by Zoom, you will receive a full refund.
Please note: Your place in the registration queue for in-person attendance will not be secured until we receive your payment along with your registration form.
Zoom attendance. There is no cap on online attendance via Zoom, but registration is required. We ask that you commit to attending the entire retreat, just as if you were attending in person.
CANCELLATIONS
If you cancel by May 28, we will refund the registration fee you paid minus $50. If you cancel after May 28, you will receive a refund only if we are able to fill your spot.
ONLINE PAYMENT
After completing the form, you will be asked to pay your registration fee online. If you prefer not to pay electronically, please contact the registrar at registrar@madisonmeditation.org to make other arrangements.
If you cannot pay your registration fee when you submit your registration form, you may return to this page later and use this payment link.
After registering and paying your fee, you’ll receive two emails, the first confirming that we received your complete registration. Closer to the retreat, you’ll receive another email providing additional details.
For questions about registration, please contact the registrar at registrar@madisonmeditation.org.
ABOUT THE TEACHER
Chas DiCapua has been practicing mindfulness and Buddhist meditation, primarily in the Theravāda school, for over 30 years, including over two years of combined time in silent, intensive retreat. He has trained with Burmese meditation masters, western monastics of the Thai Forest tradition, and senior western Vipassana teachers. In 2003, Chas was invited to be the Resident Teacher at the Insight Meditation Society (IMS) in Barre, MA, where he continues to serve in that role.
Chas is a graduate of the four-year IMS / Spirit Rock Teacher Training Program. He is interested in how the basic material of our everyday lives, including relationships, can be used as a vehicle for awakening. Chas teaches retreats at IMS, centers, and sanghas throughout the country and offers spiritual counseling for individuals.