Vajrapani Institute
P.O. Box 2130
Boulder Creek, CA 95006
(800) 531-4001

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Insight Meditation: 10 Day Vipassana Retreat with a Drop of Mahamudra
with Ven. Antonio Satta

June 9-20, 2010

Ven. Antonio

Category: Contemplative Retreat
Level:
All Levels

Level of Silence:
Total
Partial Attendance:
Not allowed

• Develop natural mindfulness in every
  action 
• Disengage from unhealthy emotions
• Relax body and mind
• Understand the nature of mental activity


Overview
This is a meditation retreat based on the Four Foundations of Mindfulness, combining Theravada Vipassana meditation with Mahayana Vipassana (Tibetan tradition) of Basic Mahamudra.  The daily schedule consists of alternating sitting and walking meditations within an environment of silence and constant mindfulness.

There are two types of confusion, intellectual and emotional, which require two antidotes; study purifies intellectual confusion and mindfulness purifies emotional confusion. 

Mindfulness purifies emotional confusion by teaching us how to step back. We learn to look at things as they really are, in their simple and uncomplicated way of being.  This is the beginning of purity and calmness. 

There are three types of Mahamudra: Sutra Mahamudra, Tantra Mahamudra and Essence Mahamudra. In general, one trains on Mahamudra in accordance with the Sutra Mahamudra.
In the Sutra Mahamudra the method of “non conceptual investigation” is clearly explained, and this is an important element in trying to find out the nature of the mind. This method requires the discipline of mindfulness awareness, which is well-taught in the practice of classic Vipassana. So approaching Mahamudra with classic Vipassana can be very useful for Westerners, as it helps to cut through discursiveness, which is one of the main obstacles of the modern day mind.

All attendees are required to complete the full retreat. This retreat is not suitable for people with a history of mental illness or those taking medication for mental health problems.


Teacher Biography

Venerable Antonio Satta was born in Italy in 1956. He was first introduced to Tibetan Buddhism at Lama Tsong Khapa Institute, Italy. After meeting Lama Yeshe and Lama Zopa Rinpoche in Italy he took ordination in 1979. He has studied Buddhism and the Tibetan language from various teachers, including 4 years at Tharpa Choeling Switzerland with Geshe Rabten and 4 years at Nalanda Monastery with Geshe Jampa Tegchok.        

Since 1991 he has been living in Australia, first translating and teaching at Vajrayana Institute, Sydney, then teaching and tutoring for the Buddhist Study Program at Chenrezig Institute. Over the last 4 years Ven. Antonio has been concentrating on leading Vipassana and basic Mahamudra retreats as a way to introduce students to the practice of meditation.


The Bases of the Retreat
The retreat will be based on abiding within the three limits.  

The first limit is the physical limit, which means physically not going beyond the marked borders.

The second limit is the speech limit, which means not going beyond silence that is not speaking. 

All forms of communication, verbal and non-verbal, between participants are not allowed.  This includes speaking, communication via written notes, text messages, and bodily messages.  Participants may communicate with Ven. Antonio only if they experience problems with the retreat or have questions.  Participants may communicate with the retreat liaison person, but only if necessary.

There should not be any other activities during the retreat other than those specified in the retreat schedule.  One should not read (unless discussed with and advised by Ven. Antonio), chant mantras, or do prayers (unless one has a specific commitment to do so).  Radios, CD players, computers, and the like are not to be used.

The third limit is the mental limit -- one should be mentally within the borders of the place as much as one can, meaning to live in the present. 


Discipline
During the retreat, discipline is the key factor of successful practice. Discipline is more important than the meditation technique itself.  Discipline establishes the peaceful mind required for meditation.  Therefore, the way one behaves will influence the sessions. 

In terms of discipline, morality is very important.  Here morality is the observance of the five precepts: abstaining from killing, stealing, any sexual activity, taking intoxicants, and telling lies.

Another type of discipline is to be aware of one’s behavior.  As the retreat proceeds the mind can easily be disturbed by things such as:

- People coming late to either the sitting or walking session.
- Jumping up immediately after the sitting session to leave the gompa (instead of gently waiting a couple of minutes and slowly and quietly leaving the gompa without slamming the door, being aware that other people are still meditating).     

In the gompa there should only be the cushion where one sits and a shawl in case of coolness.

In between sessions, one should walk not too fast, with eyes cast down and a sense of knowing where one is going and not just aimlessly wandering around.


Schedule

Day 1
3:00 –5:00pm              Registration
6:00 pm                       Dinner
7:00                             Orientation Session
7:30pm                        Evening Introduction talk

Day 2 – Day 11
5:30am                        Wake up
6:00 – 7:00am             Session 1: Recitation of The Heart Sutra
                                                     Sitting Meditation
7:00 – 8:15am             Breakfast
8:15 – 9:00am             Session 2: Walking Meditation
9:00 –9:45am                               Sitting Meditation
9:45 – 10:15am           Pause
10:15 – 11:00am         Session 3: Walking Meditation
11:00 – 11:45am                          Sitting Meditation  
11:45 – 1:45pm           Lunch  
1:45 –2:30pm              Session 4: Walking Meditation
2:30 – 3:15pm                                  Sitting Meditation
3:15 – 4:00pm             Pause
4:00 – 4:45pm             Session 5: Sitting Meditation
4:45 – 5:15pm             Pause
5:15 – 6:00pm             Session 6: Sitting Meditation
6:00 – 7:15pm             Dinner
7:15pm                        Talk and Dedication prayers

Day 12
6.00 – 7.00am             Session 1: Recitation of The Heart Sutra
                                    Sitting Meditation 
7.00 – 7.30am             Clear out all belongings from                                     accommodations           
7.30 – 8.00am             Breakfast 
8.00 – 9.00am             Final group cleaning
                                    RETREAT ENDS


Fees (inclusive of accommodation, meals, retreat fees)
  Regular Rate
  Non-Member Member
    10%
Camping $1,155.00 $1,039.50
Main Dormitory $1,210.00 $1,089.00
Semi Private Dormitory $1,265.00 $1,138.50
     
Private Room (single) $1,650.00 $1,485.00
Private Room (double) $1,485.00 $1,336.50
Cabin (single) $1,870.00 $1,683.00
     
Scholarship Fund $700  
Application deadline May 7th  

No one will be turned away for lack of funds

Click here for details regarding financial aid

Click Here for Course and Registration General Info

Cancellation Policy 

A position for Course Manager Scholarship may still be available for this course. Click here for more information about the Course Manager position.