Dynamic lecturer, progressive scholar, and one of the most prolific writers and translators of Tibetan Buddhism in the West, B. Alan Wallace, Ph.D., continually seeks innovative ways to integrate Buddhist contemplative practices with Western science to advance the study of the mind.

Dr. Wallace, a scholar and practitioner of Buddhism since 1970, has taught Buddhist theory and meditation throughout Europe and America since 1976. Having devoted fourteen years to training as a Tibetan Buddhist monk, ordained by H. H. the Dalai Lama, he went on to earn an undergraduate degree in physics and the philosophy of science at Amherst College and a doctorate in religious studies at Stanford.

With his unique background, Alan brings deep experience and applied skills to the challenge of integrating traditional Indo-Tibetan Buddhism with the modern world.

Retreat Topic: Mindfulness
A central message of the Buddha’s teachings is that the mind is purified of its afflictions through the integrated cultivation of meditative quiescence (shamatha) and contemplative insight (vipashyana). During this seminar, we will focus on the four applications of mindfulness, which form the foundation of Buddhist insight practice. These include mindfulness of the body, feelings, mental states, and mental objects. As we investigate the nature of these features of our existence, we will probe the very nature of human identity and the possibility of freedom. A central theme will be the cultivation of pure mindfulness, in which we will increasingly distinguish between phenomena presented to our senses and the conceptual projections that we impose on reality. The seminar will consist of lectures, guided meditations, and discussions led by Alan Wallace.

Schedule & Fees

Friday. Jan. 26 7:30 pm Introductory lecture
Saturday, Jan 27, 9 am - 5pm Retreat
Sunday, Jan. 28, 1:30 - 5:00 pm Retreat

Residential Retreat (all teachings) $135 in advance or $155 at the door.  Includes two nights stay at the Rime Center with two meals per day.

Non-residential Retreat (all teachings)  $120 in advance or $140 at the door.  No meals are includes. 

To register for this event, download a registration form at: www.rimecenter.org.
 
Please Note: This retreat, like all Dharma teachings, are available to everyone - regardless of ability to pay.  We have a limited number of full and partial scholarships.  We also have work/study positions available, as well as deferred payment programs.  All forms are on the literature table at the Rime Center and need to be submitted in advance. 

For more information, visit www.rimecenter.org

January 26 - 28, 2007
Alan Wallace Retreat
 
A central message of the Buddha’s teachings is that the mind is purified of its afflictions through the integrated cultivation of meditative quiescence (shamatha) and contemplative insight (vipashyana). During this seminar, we will focus on the four applications of mindfulness, which form the foundation of Buddhist insight practice. These include mindfulness of the body, feelings, mental states, and mental objects. As we investigate the nature of these features of our existence, we will probe the very nature of human identity and the possibility of freedom. A central theme will be the cultivation of pure mindfulness, in which we will increasingly distinguish between phenomena presented to our senses and the conceptual projections that we impose on reality. The seminar will consist of lectures, guided meditations, and discussions led by Alan Wallace.
 
 
Saturday February 10, 2007
Mandala Workshop/Retreat
 
The idea is to explore the meaning, symbols, and purpose of mandalas and spiritual practice. The primary emphasis will be setting up the environment and know-how to actually allow each workshop participant to create their own personally mandala. The morning, or a portion of it, will be spent learning about the meaning of mandalas. The rest of the day will be devoted to the actual creation process. Many materials will be available for participants use, but individuals are also encouraged to bring anything they personal may want to use or items to share with the group.

For more information, visit http://rimecenter.org/retreats.cfm

Creating Your Life: Reality is What You Make It

Saturdays, Jan 13 and Feb 10
9 am – 4 pm (attend all or part) Potluck lunch.

Unity of Fayetteville, 4880 W Wedington Dr., Fayetteville 442-0680

You created the life you’re living today. Discover how to re-create it. Transform your life into an adventure movie. Stop looking for a happy ending and begin living joyfully right now.

After Ben’s workshop you will:

• Understand how karma affects what you are doing.
• Discover the freedom that exists in a life without answers.
• Find the key to happiness in your difficult relationships.
• Appreciate your innate power to create reality.

We will use meditation, mindfulness and scientific principles to explore and apply practical methods to create the life you want.

Ben has been a spiritual guide in Kansas City for over ten years. He has pursued healing, wholeness and awakening for more than twenty years. Combining Buddhist and Christian philosophy with the wisdom of science sets Ben’s teachings apart. He is dedicated to creating simple and practical techniques for healing our wounds, learning from our problems and finding peace.

For more information, visit http://www.websyte.com/unity/fayetteville/pdf/Ben%20Worth%20Monthly%20Jan.pdf

One Step at a Time–Finding Peace in This Moment
A Two Day Non-Residential Vipassana Retreat With Susan Stone

February 2-4, 2007
Ecumenical Buddhist Society of Little Rock
Little Rock, Arkansas

We each want peace, equanimity, clarity, and loving kindness—all of the desirable qualities that are cultivated through our mindfulness practice. And we want these things right away, feeling that something is wrong when we’re not experiencing them. We are discontent with our discontent. However, the only time and place where peace, etc., can be found is now and here, and the way to find them is by identifying and embracing our resistance to the content of this moment, however painful or unjust that content may be. This is a tall order. In this non-residential weekend retreat, we will focus on practicing mindfulness in order to recognize our resistances and on loving kindness in order to embrace them; in this way we enable ourselves to take one step at a time—this step—in peace.

Susan Stone, Ph.D., has practiced formal meditation for 25 years in the Zen and Theravada traditions. She has lived in Zen and Theravadan monasteries for 3 years. Ordained as a Zen lay priest, Susan is author of At the Eleventh Hour (Present Perfect Books 2001), about Mindfulness and caregiving. The book was nominated for ForeWord Magazine’s Book of the Year award for 2001. She is co-author of The American Mosaic (McGraw Hill 1995), about workforce diversity; and is author of articles on Mindfulness.  Susan co-leads the Insight Meditation Community of Charlottesville, Virginia (www.imeditation.org). She also teaches Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction at the University of Virginia, founded a Mindfulness group at a maximum-security men’s prison, and currently co-leads a similar group at a women’s prison in Virginia. She is a hospice volunteer and Reiki master who has worked with AIDS patients. Susan leads meditation retreats and workshops in a multi-state area. Her teaching increasingly is centered in nondualism.

The retreat will be held in the meditation hall at the Ecumenical Buddhist Society, 1015 W. Second Street, Little Rock, Arkansas. For additional information and registration, visit http://ebslr.org/event_susan_stone.html
 

Public Talk: Religious Experience in the Light of Zen Buddhism; Zen Buddhism in the Light of Religious Experience
Friday, January, 26, 2007 at 7:00 p.m.
Jeff will explore with his audience the nature of “religious experience,” which everyone has.  What do these experiences reveal about the world and about ourselves?  How can they help us to understand and do genuine Zen Buddhist practice?
Location:  The Chapel of St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, 925 Mitchell Street in Conway.  The chapel entrance is located at the corner of Mitchell and Prince Streets.

One-Day Zen Retreat
Saturday, January 27, 2007, 9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.
The retreat will include alternating periods of zazen (sitting meditation) and kinhin (walking meditation), as well as Zen talks by Jeff.  There will also be an opportunity for individual interviews with Jeff.  He requests that those participating in the retreat attend the Friday evening talk and plan to stay for the entire day on Saturday.
Location:  The Chapel of St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, 925 Mitchell Street in Conway.  The chapel entrance is located at the corner of Mitchell and Prince Streets.

Jeff Shore is an American living in Kyoto, Japan.  After studying and practicing Zen in the States for a decade, in 1981 he moved to Japan to live and train at Rinzai Zen monasteries.  He is a lay Zen man and Professor of International Zen at Hanazono University in Kyoto (the sole Rinzai Zen-affiliated university in the world), where he has taught since 1987.

Based on 35 years of Zen study and practice, the focus of his work is accurately expressing and transmitting Zen Buddhism in the West.  This includes critically evaluating that tradition.  While he has trained extensively in Rinzai Zen, he is not preoccupied with sectarian concerns.  Rather, he directly points out the very core of Zen and the heart of living Buddhism.

For additional information and to register, visit http://ebslr.org/event_jeff_shore.html

March 24-25 2007
Unveiling Lovingkindness
Silent weekend meditation with Amita Schmidt

Through stillness and awareness, lovingkindness is possible for everyone.  Each of us has an inherent stillness and love which can be accessed at any time.  In this retreat we will discover how we resist love, how we choose love, and how we embody love.  This will be a silent retreat, with daily teachings on lovingkindness. 

Amita Schmidt was the resident teacher at Insight Meditation Society in Barre, MA from 2000 to 2006. She is the author of “Dipa Ma: The Life and Legacy of a Buddhist Master” (BlueBridge, May 2005) and a contributor to “Buddha Laughing: A Tricycle Book of  Cartoons.”
 
Amita has been practicing Vipassana for 21 years.  She currently combines mindfulness and open awareness practices in her teachings.
 
For more information, visit http://www.wattlehollow.com/
 

Silent Day-long Meditation Practice
Saturday, January 13th
Saturday, February 17th
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
 
On these Dharma Days, we practice Vipassana, (a form of Theravadan Buddhist meditation), alternating sitting and walking, throughout the day. The sitting periods are 30 - 40 minutes, generally, and walking periods are 30 minutes.

Dharma Day includes complete meditation instructions, a cupful of Buddhist philosophy (dharma talk), and a question and answer period. Beginners are welcome, along with our usual sangha.

Lunch is potluck - Wattle Hollow provides brown rice and peppermint tea.

No charge for Dharma Day. All are welcome, but pre-registration is appreciated. For more information, visit http://www.wattlehollow.com/

May all beings everywhere,
Plagued by sufferings of body and mind,
Obtain an ocean of happiness and joy
By virtue of my merits. may no living creature suffer,
Commit evil or ever fall ill.
May no one be afraid or belittled,
With a mind weighed down by depression.
 
May the blind see forms,
And the deaf hear sounds.
May those whose bodies are worn with toil
Be restored on finding repose.
 
May the naked find clothing,
The hungry find food.
May the thirsty find water
And delicious drinks.
 
May the poor find wealth,
Those weak with sorrow find joy.
May the forlorn find hope,
Constant happiness and prosperity.
 
May there be timely rains
And bountiful harvests.
May all medicines be effective
And wholesome prayers bear fruit.
 
May all who are sick and ill
Quickly be freed from their ailments.
Whatever diseases there are in the world,
May they never occur again.
 
May the frightened cease to be afraid
And those bound be freed.
May the powerless find power
And may people think of benefiting each other.