"EMBRACING THE INNER
CHILD WITH MINDFULNESS"
The Art of Cultivating Compassion and Happiness
Weekend Retreat - December 7-9, 2018
Five-Day Retreat - December 7-12, 2018
With Anh-Huong and Thu Nguyen
Whether or not we can remember the difficult times we have all had as children, there is a suffering child in each of us. We try to keep ourselves busy - either with work or through consumption - because we do not want to experience that suffering all over again. But the wounded child is always there, longing for our return. Running away from this child can prolong the suffering.
During this retreat, we come together as a community to practice mindful breathing, sitting, walking, mindful movement and eating, in order to touch the peace and happiness that are available in the present moment. Mindfulness also helps us to be there so that we can hear our inner child's voice calling for help. The community's collective energy of mindfulness and compassion will embrace and heal us, as well as the wounded child in each of us. When we have healed ourselves, our relationships with others become much easier.
You can choose to attend just the weekend retreat, which starts on Friday evening and ends on Sunday afternoon, or the full 5-day retreat, which ends on Wednesday afternoon. The extended retreat will offer more favorable conditions for you to touch deeply the source of peace and love within yourself.
Calligraphy
by Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh
Teachers
Anh-Huong Nguyen and Thu Nguyen have practiced the art of mindful living with Thich Nhat Hanh for more than 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).
Cost
The cost of the retreat includes meals and overnight accommodations. The weekend retreat (Friday dinner through Sunday lunch) is $290 per person. The 5-day retreat (Friday dinner through Wednesday lunch) is $650 per person. Room accommodation is of dormitory style with three or more beds per room. A limited number of rooms with two single 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 $45 of the deposit will be refunded if notification of cancellation is received prior to November 30, 2018). 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.
Registration
To register, please fill the registration form and send with your deposit to: Thu Nguyen, 10413 Adel Road, Oakton, VA 22124. For more information, or call 703-938-1377.
Retreat Schedule
- Friday:
- 5 pm – Registration
- 6:15 pm – Dinner
- 7:30 pm – Orientation.
- Saturday, Sunday, Monday, Tuesday:
- Morning: Guided sitting meditation – Breakfast - Outdoor walking meditation - Dharma talk / Questions and answers.
- Afternoon: Lunch followed by programs that cultivate Mindfulness including: Total body relaxation, QiGong & Mindful movements, Tea meditation, Group sharing.
- Evening: Dinner - Group sharing - Sitting meditation / Touching the earth.
- Wednesday morning: Guided sitting meditation – Breakfast - Outdoor walking meditation – Dharma talk / Questions and answers.
- Wednesday afternoon: Lunch - Closing circle – 3pm: End of
retreat.
Note: Weekend Retreat ends after lunch on Sunday.
Claymont Court
The Claymont Court Retreat Center 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.