8-day City Retreat in Mechelen (Sister Virañani) Metta in the City (in English) Waiting list
Even as a mother protects with her life her child, her only child, So with a boundless heart should one cherish all living beings Lord Buddha (Karaniya Metta Sutta - Sutta on Loving Kindness)
A city retreat gives you the opportunity to practice intensively during the weekend and on weekday evenings, while you sleep at home and during the day you have your activities. This gives you the opportunity to integrate the meditation into your daily life.
In this retreat we practice Metta meditation. We cultivate the heart's quality of friendliness. Metta opens our hearts and we develop a stable, calm mind, full of confidence. It can also be a good preparation for Vipassana (insight meditation). Guided and silent meditation, sitting and walking meditation alternate. There is possibility to ask questions and share experiences and we get a deeper insight into what Metta actually is. Individual interviews with the Sister are possible.
Venerable Sister Virañani is a Buddhist nun and comes from the US (Hawaii). She is deeply rooted in the Dhamma through practice, study and passing on the Dhamma. She has been meditating since 1979 in, among other things, the Burmese tradition of Mahasi Sayadaw, the Thai forest tradition, and has worked in the Insight Meditation Society in the US. Sister Virañani was ordained as Bhikkuni in 2006 in Myanmar with Sayadaw U Pandita as a teacher, and is now connected to a renowned meditation center (Chanmyay Myaing of U Indaka Sayadaw). For years she has been guiding retreats in many places in the world. She speaks with great compassion and makes the traditional texts accessible with many examples from daily life. One of her specialties is Metta meditation.
When Saturday April 4 until Saturday April 11 2020
Where We have opted for the atmosphere of tranquility in the historical-religious-cultural framework of the Groot Seminarie in Mechelen. There is a beautiful courtyard for walking meditation. Hoviuszaal (3de verdieping, lift aanwezig), Diocesaan Pastoraal Centrum, Frederik de Merodestraat 18 te 2800 Mechelen.
Program Sat 4 April 14.00 to 21.00 Sun 5 April. 10.00 to 16.00 Mon 6 April 19.30 to 21.30 (open meditation evening) Tue 7 April 19.30 to 21.30 (open meditation evening) Wed 8 April 19.30 to 21.30 Thu 9 April 19.30 to 21.30 Fri 10 April 19.30 to 21.30 Sat 11 April 10.00 to 16.00
Cost price Participation fee € 160 This amount covers the costs incurred by Ehipassiko (including room rent, accommodation and transport costs for the Sister, coffee / tea at the weekend, operating costs). Guidance on the basis of DANA (see below).
Participation conditions You can register here. You are only registered as
you have completed the online registration form
Ehipassiko has received your payment
The account no. from Ehipassiko is IBAN BE49 5230 8109 1671 with BIC TRIOBEBB. Max. 25 participants. Do not wait too long to register. Our retreats are often fully booked. Priority is given to people who intend to follow the full program. Questions can be mailed to [email protected] At the weekend we bring a picnic and drink. Coffee or tea are offered. Meditation cushions, benches and chairs are available. Bring your own material if you have.
Cancellation policy In case of cancellation after registration we charge € 25 as administration costs. From 2 weeks before the start of the retreat no refund is possible. On the other hand, we give people who are financially difficult the opportunity to also take part in our retreats.
Accessibility The Diocesan Pastoral Center is easily accessible by public transport, click here. Private bicycle and car parking available.
Dhamma education on the basis of DANA Reverend Sister Virañani and Ehipassiko are fully committed to the 2,500-year-old tradition of the Buddha for this 8-day event. After all, it was decided not to ask a fixed price for the Dhamma teachings and the guidance, but to use the age-old principle of DANA. The basic price of € 160 covers only the costs incurred by Ehipassiko. Dana stands for the voluntary giving of material and immaterial matters to others. Unconditional giving is seen as one of the most important Buddhist virtues. The guidance and the Dhamma teaching will be done according to this Danaprincipe. Sister Virañani and Ehipassiko leave the initiative with each participant to decide for themselves what contribution he or she wants to give. In other words, they offer you the chance to practice the virtue of Dana. At the end of the retreat you will have the opportunity to make a financial contribution for the guidance. The amount of this amount you decide yourself. You can provide the necessary cash for this.
Important In English without translation Participating in this retreat means that you make an effort to participate in the full weekly program. This out of respect for all participants and to guarantee the quality of the retreat.