Looking with the Buddha's Eyes

A Four-Day Mindfulness Retreat
with Anh-Huong and Thu Nguyen

December 12-16, 2024
The Great Barn at Claymont Court Retreat Center
Charles Town, WV

*** Retreat Full - Registration Closed ***

Thay sitting on Vulture Peak

Thay sitting on Vulture Peak Mountain, looking at the sun.

• Retreat Description • Teachers • Retreat Cost • Retreat Registration

• Covid-19 Consideration • Retreat Schedule • Claymont Court Location

Retreat Description

In this retreat, we will deepen the practice of mindful breathing, sitting, and walking, which can help us touch the true nature of life. Viewing the world through the Buddha's eyes, with a non-discriminative mind, we will be able to comprehend and embrace the interbeing nature of all existence. Our bodies will become light, our minds liberated; a deep sense of peace and tranquility will infuse our whole being. The retreat will offer favorable conditions for this profound realization.

"In 1968, I was in India with Samdech Maha Ghosananda, a leader of Cambodian Buddhism, and Sister Chân Không, my dear student, friend, and colleague. For several days we sat together on Vulture Peak until sunset, and I realized that in former times the Buddha had looked at the same setting sun with the same eyes. Afterwards, we walked down the mountain slowly and mindfully, not saying a word, and since that day, I have continued to walk in the same way.

Vulture Peak is beautiful, and Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia, North and South America are also beautiful. When there is mist on the mountains, it is beautiful, and when there is no mist, it is also beautiful. All four seasons are beautiful. You are beautiful, and your friends are beautiful. There is nothing to stop you from being in touch with life in the present moment. The question is, Do you have eyes that can see the sunset, feet that can touch the earth? If the Buddha were to transmit his eyes to you, would you know how to use them? Don't think that happiness will be possible only when conditions around you become perfect. Happiness lies in your own heart. You only need to practice mindful breathing for a few seconds and you'll be happy right away."

From The Heart of the Buddha's Teaching by Thich Nhat Hanh


Teachers

Anh-Huong Nguyen and Thu Nguyen have practiced the art of mindful living with the late Zen Master 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, which includes meals and overnight accommodations is $630 per person. We aim to allocate no more than two individuals per room. Participants must be 13 years of age or older. A fifty percent deposit ($315) is required to reserve a place. If a cancellation is made before December 5, 2024, all but $50 of the deposit will be refunded. The balance is due upon arrival at the retreat.

Registration

To register, please complete the registration form and mail your deposit or full payment by check to: Thu Nguyen, 10413 Adel Road, Oakton, VA 22124. Please make your check payable to: Mindfulness Training Institute of Fairfax. Once we receive your payment, we will send you a confirmation email for the retreat.

Registration Form

For questions, please send an email to the

Covid-19 Consideration

We have carefully considered how to balance our need to be together with ensuring a safe environment for everyone. Here is the solution we have come up with:

  • We will offer the retreat to a relatively small number of people. This will allow us to limit the number of people sharing a room.
  • We ask everyone to test themselves for Covid two days before the start of the retreat and again on the day that they plan to travel to Claymont.
  • Additionally, we ask everyone to bring at least one Covid test with them so that they can test themselves at any time during the retreat.
  • Masks will not be required, but anyone who wishes may wear a mask at any time.
Our collective commitment to testing ourselves before and during the retreat is a practice of taking care of each other, and of compassion for those who are immunocompromised. If, at the last minute, you have to cancel due to a positive test or sickness, your registration fee will be refunded in full to you.

Retreat Schedule

  • Thursday:
    • 4:30 pm: Registration
    • 6:15 pm: Dinner
    • 7:30 pm: Orientation
  • Friday:
    • Morning: Guided sitting meditation, Breakfast, Outdoor walking meditation, Dharma talk.
    • Afternoon: Lunch, Total body relaxation, QiGong, Tea meditation, Group sharing.
    • Evening: Dinner, Group sharing, Sitting meditation.
  • Saturday:
    • Morning: Guided sitting meditation, Breakfast, Outdoor walking meditation, Dharma talk.
    • Afternoon: Lunch, Total body relaxation, QiGong, Outdoor walking meditation, Group sharing.
    • Evening: Dinner, Group sharing, Sitting meditation.
  • Sunday:
    • Morning: Guided sitting meditation, Breakfast, Outdoor walking meditation, Dharma talk.
    • Afternoon: Lunch, Total body relaxation, QiGong, Tea meditation, Group sharing.
    • Evening: Dinner, Group sharing, Sitting meditation.
  • Monday:
    • Morning: Guided sitting meditation, Breakfast, Outdoor walking meditation, Dharma talk.
    • Afternoon: Lunch - Closing circle - 3pm: End of retreat.

Claymont Court

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. The retreat will take place in The Great Barn.

Directions to Claymont Court.