Retreat from Afar

Join a global community that meditates together every day.

2023 Retreat from Afar

Four Establishments of Mindfulness

Seated gold Buddha

January 6-April 3

In the Mahayana tradition, the four establishments of mindfulness are meditation practices that focus on four objects: body, feelings, mind, and phenomena — both our own and those of others.

As His Holiness the Dalai Lama explains, “The purpose of the four establishments of mindfulness is to gain direct insight into the nature of our body and mind and to use this wisdom to eliminate the afflictions that bind us to saṃsāra.”

With this practice, we develop concentration and nurture renunciation and bodhicitta, strengthening our bodhisattva commitment to attain buddhahood as quickly we can.

What Is It?

Abbey monastics spend every winter in silent retreat. Only a few can join in person, but hundreds meditate in the Retreat from Afar.

Retreat from Afar occurs during the same timeframe as the Abbey winter retreat, and participants meditate on the same topic.

To join in the 2023 Retreat from Afar, you commit to do at least one practice session every day.

People love doing Retreat from Afar, and 200-300 people join in every year. It supports “distance meditators” to maintain a regular daily practice, deepen their understanding of the Dharma, and gain insights into their life.

In addition, their practice supports the people doing retreat at the Abbey.

Your voluntary offering generates merit for you and supports the Abbey to continue offer the Dharma freely worldwide.

To sign up: Register here

January 4 we’ll offer two Retreat from Afar orientations on Zoom: 9 am & 6 pm Pacific Time. You must register to attend.

Find retreat preparation resources here


Want to help fellow retreatants in prison?

Retreat material are emailed to you each week, but there’s no email in prison. Hard copy practice packets are snail-mailed to the prison practitioners. You can support their retreat and make merit by making an offering to support the prison Dharma mailings. Go to the Donate page. Under the drop down called “My donation is for …” choose  “Prison Dharma Fund.”

Hundreds join in the winter Retreat from Afar.

 

“My practice is most stable during the Retreat from Afar. I tangibly feel the support of everyone at the Abbey and around the world.”

 

Susan Mitchell

Cataldo, Idaho

Turkeys, deer, and other wildlife make their winter retreat appearances.

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Sravasti Abbey

692 Country Lane
Newport WA 99156 USA
[email protected]
509-447-5549