Freedom Through Understanding: Insight as the Path to Peace

A Silent Vipassana Meditation Retreat

October 22nd - 31st, 2010

The Stone House, Mebane, NC

Teachers: Michele McDonald and Jesse Maceo Vega-Frey

Michele has taught Insight meditation for 26 years in the United States, Canada, Burma and elsewhere around the world. Her teaching is most inspired by her practice with Dipa Ma, Sayadaw U Pandita in the United States and the Mya Taung Sayadaw in Burma. Michele's style of teaching emphasizes helping individuals find entry points into stillness that are natural for them. She encourages understanding of the path of insight and a gentle strengthening of mindfulness so that people can access the peaceful depths of their experience in every moment.

Jesse is part of the guiding leadership for The Stone House and a committed vipassana practitioner. He tries his best to live in and encourage the skillful movement between strength and suppleness, struggle and laziness, and wisdom and love.

The teachers will be offering Vipassana practice rooted in deepening our understanding of mindfulness as the intention to understand our experience rather than to judge and control it. Yogis will learn to develop a field of awareness that can be narrowed or broadened and can incline toward clarity or compassion- depending on what is called for in the moment. They will learn to move with courage toward difficulty when mindfulness and equanimity are strong and to infuse one's awareness with gentle care when their challenges seem overwhelming.

The practice is grounded firmly in the Theravada teachings of the Buddha and offered in the spirit of our times. All four foundations of mindfulness will be taught so that yogis can access deeper levels of insight and peace.

The Stone House is a center for spiritual life and strategic action located in Mebane, NC. Learn more at www.stonecircles.org and on the blog at www.thestonehousenc.blogspot.com.

The cost of the retreat is a sliding scale from $350-$750, depending on your ability to pay. Scholarship funds are available. The cost of this retreat covers the costs of facilities and food but does not help pay the primary teacher. Because the teachings of the Buddha are considered priceless, they are offered free of charge. The practice of Dana, or generosity, to the teacher and other retreat staff in addition to the costs of the retreat, gives participants a way to express their gratitude for the teachings and help support the teacher's continued work.

In adherence with the social justice values of the Stone House, we strongly encourage the participation of people of color and will give them priority for 50% of the spaces available.

A$100 deposit is required to reserve your space.

Sign up now! Space is limited to 20 retreatants. Tenting is available.

Vipassana meditation comes from the Theravada Buddhist traditions rooted primarily in South-East Asia. The word Vipassana, from the ancient Pali language, means insight.

Location

"The Stone House is wonderfully situated for a meaningful experience of quiet and solitude while still within close proximity to major urban areas and activities. We are just six miles off of exit 154 from Interstate 85 South/40 West. Mebane is 25 miles from Durham, Chapel Hill and Raleigh, and approximately 35-40 miles from Greensboro and Winston-Salem."

Please click here for Directions to Stone Cirlces/ The Stone House.

Sign up by mailing this Registration Form to Jesse (click and print, please.) For more information and to register, e-mail Jesse via the Stone Circles Contact Form.