General instructions for retreat

1. Introduction

The mind training (meditation) retreat is built on the assumption that the participant passes the entire program. The goal is to teach mind development techniques so that each participant can apply them later in everyday life and practice on their own.

2. People with a serious mental disorder

Participants should have good mental and physical health. Although mind training (meditation) offers many benefits in many disciplines, it does not replace medical or psychiatric treatment. We do not recommend meditation techniques for those who have been diagnosed with a serious mental disorder (severe depression, chronic alcoholism, etc.).

3. Prerequisites

Our courses are open to all people regardless of race, religion, sexual orientation, nationality, gender or status in society. However, there are some prerequisites that are necessary for retreating.

1. Participants must be at least 18 years of age (unless there is a special retreat for young people for which there is no requirement).
2. Participants must be able to follow the schedule and instructions which are given by the teacher/monk throughout the retreat.
3. Participants must be prepared to adapt to simple accommodation and hygiene conditions.

4. Basics of Common Cohabitation

            4.1   Mindfulness training

Creating and maintaining a harmonious and positive attitude is important in living with a mind-training community. In this reason we encourage participants to continuously train mindfulness, by following five moral principles:

1. Avoiding and/or damaging life - the idea of destroying any life, even a small creature like a mosquito, can cause a negative attitude that undermines the practice of exercising the mind.
2. Refraining from non-giving - this principle encourages you to be satisfied and to do what we have.
3. Refraining from wrongful behaviour that delivers pleasure - mental, verbal or physical behaviour resulting from the joy of pleasure does not contribute to the development of the mind, but has the opposite effect: the stimulus of inexperienced enjoyment drives the mind off the path of development. As long as the mind is busy with pleasure, development of the mind is not effective.
4. Abstinence from lying - Lying, as well as slanderous, smirch, and useless chatting cannot contribute to create and maintain harmonious relationships. Slanderous and backbiting are detrimental to interpersonal trust, creating disagreements and accusations, ridiculing, negative attitudes, prejudice and exclusion. The harsh speech is devastating, threatening, offensive, terrorizing and disgusting. This includes any speech that harasses or insults someone on the basis of race, religion, nationality, sexual orientation, gender, or status. A suitable speech is always friendly and caring and free from any (including hidden) evil. balderdash is also an obstructive and useless activity to practice the mind.
5. Refrain from stunning substances and drinks - all alcoholic also intoxicating drinks and drugs which are dazing, as a consequence reducing awareness and responsibility. Not only alcohol or narcotics, but any kind of sensory dysfunction which destroys mental and physical health also blurs the glory of consciousness.

The absence of the five moral aspects mentioned above may become a major obstacle to learning and/or learning while exercising. To create a group where you can safely practice your mind and developmentally, it is necessary to promote and maintain non-violence, honesty, peace of mind, and the quiet joy and pleasant well-being of all participants.         

        4.2 Alcohol and tobacco

        Participants are asked not to take alcoholic beverages or tobacco products. If a person consumes alcohol regularly or smokes every day, we ask you to abandon these habits during the retreat.

          4.3 Separation of men and women

          The participant should arrive at the retreat to learn to develop mind and practice what they have learned. If a participant is unable to control inappropriate emotions or sexual signs, the perceiving or seeing of the participant affects the whole group. Sexual activity can lead to inappropriate behavior that hinders the development of concentration. The separation of men and women helps participants to maintain and develop peace of mind and direct, bright consciousness.

          4.4 Accommodation

          During the retreat, participants will be allocated to either three or four rooms. All have access to hot showers and toilets. If a participant wishes, he can bring a personal pillow and sheets, a sleeping bag, or a towel. Upon request and upon prior arrangement with the organizer, it is possible to take a personal tent and stay at the campfire site next to the house.

            4.5 Connection with the outside world

            The participant should avoid any communication (including eye contact) with the participants of the course as well as other people (eg visiting the house). Any communication with people living in the field of ordinary life during a retreat can seriously undermine the advancement of mind development.

            4.6 Stay in the retreat area

            We ask you not to leave the territory of the house during the retreat as it can significantly damage your advancement in mind. You can only leave the territory of the house in an emergency or if the teacher/monk has given permission.

            4.7 Communication tools

            The special time taken to develop your mind should not be disturbed or interrupted. We ask that all communication devices, such as computers, mobile phones, etc., be turned off for the duration of the retreat. If you want, you can leave a phone number and/or email with your loved ones to contact the retreat organizers.

            4.8 Books, magazines and music

            Books, magazines, and musical arrangements interfere with the development of the mind, so they are not allowed in our centre.

            4.9 Clothing

            For convenience, clothing should be spacious, simple and comfortable. The centre must not wear any leotard, leggings, or semi-transparent, tight-fitting, sleeveless or otherwise revealing clothing. White (light) colour is highly recommended.

            If possible (ask the retreat coordinator), you can ask for laundry service for a fee. Smaller items can be washed by the participants themselves.

5.         Recording

            Audio or image recording is not allowed.

6.         Summary

              The purpose of this is to maximize your benefits and optimize your mind development experience. It is a great pleasure for us to serve you by learning, developing, and purifying your mind, so that you, your family, and all other living entities will find true and peaceful happiness in this life.

Let's live together as a common family in peace, compassion and harmony!

Small and Effective Mindfulness Meditation Course for Beginners

Mindfulness meditation is mental cultivation or mind training. Through which, your mind, indeed your whole life, goes through spiritual growth — your mind becomes clear so that better self-understanding can arise. You become more wholesomely aware of yourself, of others, of your environment and ultimately of true reality itself.

Meditation makes you happy simply by yourself. There is this beautiful and powerful stillness in the centre of your life despite the storm around you.

Some Benefits of Mindfulness Meditation:

• Relax
• Deep rest
• De-stress
• Increase mental focus (esp for students)
• Greater mindfulness & awareness
• Being happy
• Age healthily
• Emotional & physical well-being
• Pain relief

You will learn about:

1. The nature of the mind
2. Why & how to meditate
3. Overcoming Mental Hindrances
4. Focussing the mind
5. Dealing with negative habits
6. Overcoming Drowsiness
7. Self-healing
8. Emotional resilience
9. Sleeping well

Interesting meditation facts:

• Based on living Buddhist meditation tradition over 2500 years old
• Meditation is safe & effective if you learn from a qualified & experienced instructor
• Meditation is a mainstream practice in Asia, the USA & the West
• Meditation can heal the mind and body
• Meditation helps increase attention span & productivity
• Meditation keeps the mind healthily active as we age (neuroplasticity)

Teacher Ven. Ṭhitañāṇa or Saddhabodhi.

Date, time, venue, fees etc. - according to agreement.

Incl. a brief overview of the course

Who should attend?

Health care professionals, social workers, care-givers, executives, clergy, managers, lecturers, teachers, parents, or anyone interested in the mind and mental health.

For more information, please send us an email: info@sangha.ee