BODHISATTVA WAY OF LIFE

7-day Meditation Retreat at BMC (Rumtek, Sikkim)

Course Dates: 02-09 Sep 2018

The stressors of daily life, caused in part by the ubiquitous sensory invasion, information overload, the constant jostling for survival, shallow relationships, a bitter pill of sarcasm, the dwindling health and energy – this is indeed not how we had envisioned our lives. The dormant desire in us for a meaningful and happy existence needs to be given a chance to germinate and sprout forth. Mystic Yoga is tempting you with a significant opportunity to renew and refresh your spirits with a week-long Buddhist meditation retreat.

Buddhism emphasizes practical methods for cultivating spiritual awareness and on the importance of finding the truth for oneself. It treasures loving-kindness, compassion, equanimity, clarity of mind, and wisdom. It hopes to alleviate suffering and to create healing and transformation so that all beings may experience the highest peace (nirvana).

Bodhisattva Training of the Mind

Developing an intimate and tender relationship with one’s own body and mind with gentle yoga abhyasa and mindfulness meditation – daily morning and evening
Understanding the basic Buddhist philosophical tenets
Shamatha & Vipassana: Culture of Insight Meditation
Meditation on Compassion
Cultivating a spiritual at-one-ness with nature
Meditation on Avalokiteshvara – The Bodhisattva of Compassion

One Goal Many Methods

After we have explored the many expressions of the different spiritual traditions and their meditative methods, we find their essence is the same. If we were to synthesize all these traditions and their practices into one essential practice or philosophy, this would be Bodhicitta (the awakened heart-mind of wisdom and compassion). Bodhicitta is the core essence of the teachings we are receiving, of all the lessons we have ever received.

There is a single goal and a single practice, although there are many methods. Bodhicitta, which is ultimate love, is the highest realization one can gain through all these methods. Bodhicitta is not merely mundane love; it is the union of love and compassion, which is the actualization of wisdom. We can only understand the nature of reality through love, not through our small ideas, or concepts, or language, or even knowledge.

A Bodhisattva is a person who, motivated by great compassion, has developed a spontaneous wish to attain enlightenment for the sake of all living beings. By taking the Bodhisattva Vow, he or she undertakes to follow the Bodhisattva’s way of life by practicing the six perfections of giving, moral discipline, patience, effort, concentration, and wisdom.

Daily Schedule (Sample):

1. 6.0 am: Detox drink
2. 6.30 – 8.0 am: Gentle Yoga, Pranayama & Meditation
3. 8.0 am: Breakfast
4. 9.30 – 11.0 am: Dharma Talk & Meditation
5. 11.30 am: Lunch
6. 2.30 – 4.0 pm: Hiking (optional activity)
7. 4.0 pm: Herbal Tea
8. 4.30 – 6.0 pm: Gentle Yoga, Pranayama & Meditation
9. 6.30 – 8.0 pm: Dharma Talk & Meditation
10. 8.0 pm: Dinner
11. 9.0 – 10.0 pm: Silent Hour
12. 10.0 pm: Ayurvedic Cleanser

The actual schedule will be shared with the participants and may vary on a daily basis.
The retreat will be facilitated by the three Mystic Yoga founders – Chirashree, Sudhir & Abhishek.

About the Venue

An idyllic meditation retreat in the lap of pure nature, with no intrusion what so ever from the sensory entanglements so freely available to the city dwellers. The retreat is called Bodhicharya Meditation Centre (BMC) and has 16 single rooms for seekers, adorned in simplicity. BMC has its dairy and procures organic produce for its meals. The meals are cooked at the retreat center and served afresh to all participants. BMC has its shrine hall, yoga hall, classroom, open-air yoga place. BMC has good cleanliness, and hygiene standards and essential amenities are in place.

An article titled “Bodhicharya Meditation Centre – a timeless paradise” was first published in June 2015 - you may browse through the same for an intimate feel of the locale.

How to Reach

The meditation center is located very close to the Rumtek monastery in East Sikkim and is 75 min drive from Gangtok, the capital city of Sikkim. Bagdogra is the nearest Airport and NJP the nearest railhead, both about 120 km from the venue. The four hours road journey from the airport or rail station can be undertaken by shared or private taxi, both readily available. We will be happy to guide you further to help you make your travel plans and arrangements.

Participants from Kolkata mostly like to travel together, and Mystic Yoga will be happy to coordinate the same. However, Mystic Yoga cannot be held responsible for any travel delays or cancellations.

Accommodation & Meals

Private Room with shared bath for seven nights will be allocated to every participant; you may plan to reach on the 02nd afternoon and leave any time before noon on 09th Sep. The retreat center serves wholesome and nutritious vegetarian meals, mostly organic, with a fair inclusion of delicious local greens and dishes. Purified drinking water and arrangement for hot beverages is available round the clock. If you have any special dietary need or restriction, discuss beforehand if the same can be accommodated and to what extent.

Please note it is a non-smoking, non-alcoholic and a vegetarian retreat - usage of intoxicants in any form is strictly prohibited. Retreat Fees is non-refundable / non-transferable.

Retreat Fees: Rs. 22,500/- payable by 15th August

Retreat Fees is inclusive of classes, course material, single occupancy accommodation for seven nights and all meals at Bodhicharya Meditation Centre.
The retreat will commence with an Orientation Session at 6 pm on 02nd Sep (Sunday), and end by 8 am on 09th Sep (Sunday)