Beginning Anew

“Life is filled with suffering, but it is also filled with many wonders, like the blue sky, the sunshine, the eyes of a baby. To suffer is not enough. We must also be in touch with the wonders of life. They are within us and all around us, everywhere, any time.”

--Thich Nhat Hanh

When we are one with the present moment, joy and peace spontaneously arise. Our suffering is not denied or repressed, but held gently, lovingly, in mindful awareness. During this weekend retreat, we will have the opportunity to train ourselves in the art of mindful breathing, mindful sitting, mindful walking, and mindful eating. As a community, we will learn to touch the peace and happiness that are available in the present moment and to nourish our compassion.

Retreat Schedule

From 6pm May 21 until 2pm May 23

Friday evening: Dinner, Orientation, Sitting meditation.

Saturday morning: Guided sitting meditation, Breakfast, Outdoor walking meditation, Talk.

Saturday afternoon: Lunch, Tea meditation, Total body relaxation / Mindful movements.

Saturday evening: Dinner, Group discussion, Sitting meditation / Touching the earth.

Sunday morning: Sitting meditation, Breakfast, Outdoor walking meditation, Talk / Questions and answers.

Sunday afternoon: Lunch, Closing circle.

Anh-Huong Nguyen and Thu Nguyen have practiced the art of mindful living with Thich Nhat Hanh for 24 years. They have led mindfulness retreats in the United States since 1988 and in 1992 were among the first students to be ordained as Dharma teachers by Thich Nhat Hanh. Anh-Huong has also worked with Thich Nhat Hanh translating many of his books into English, including The Sun My Heart and The Diamond that Cuts through Illusion. They are principal teachers at the Mindfulness Practice Center of Fairfax (www.mpcf.org).

Claymont Court (www.claymont.org) is located on 369 acres of forest and farmland in the Shenandoah Valley of West Virginia, less than 90 minutes by car from Washington, D.C., or Baltimore.

The cost of the retreat, including meals (Friday dinner through Sunday lunch) and overnight accommodations is $220 per person. Room accommodation is of dormitory style with 3 or 4 beds per room. A limited number of rooms with double beds are reserved for couples. We ask that all participants be at least 13 years of age. A fifty percent deposit is required to reserve a place. (All but $25 of the deposit will be refunded if notification of cancellation is received prior to May 14, 2004.) The balance is due upon arrival at the retreat. A confirmation letter with a map and other necessary information will be mailed or e-mailed to each participant.

To register, please complete the coupon below and send with your deposit to Thu Nguyen, 10413 Adel Road, Oakton, VA 22124. For more information, e-mail the retreat registrar at mpcf@crpcv.org or call 703-938-1377.