The Practice of Happiness

“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.”

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. There will be a special program for young people nine years of age and older.

Retreat Schedule

From 6pm May 15 until 3pm May 17, 2009

Friday evening: Registration (5pm), Dinner (6pm), Orientation (7:30pm), 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 30 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 is the author of "Opening the Heart of Compassion", a guided meditation CD and co-author of "Walking Meditation", a multimedia manual on mindful walking. 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 $250 per person. Room accommodation is of dormitory style with three or more 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 $35 of the deposit will be refunded if notification of cancellation is received prior to May 8, 2009.) 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 info@mpcf.org or call 703-938-1377.