Authenticity: Discovering the truth of who we are
TBC Vesak Silent Retreat
May 15th - May 18, 2024
with Robert Brumet and Victor J. Dougherty

Unhappiness can occur when people are not living their lives in a way that is congruent with their authentic selves. Many people get stuck on the proverbial "hamster wheel" of life--an endless cycle of work and household responsibilities and obligations. Seldom do they pause to reflect about who they really are or why they do what they do. The lack of deeper meaning or connection to their work and life roles causes them to shift into autopilot--a state of unconsciousness and stagnation. They become disconnected from their true selves, their relationships and even the world around them. Join Temple Buddhist Center as we dive deeply into the nature of mind and discover the truth of living authentically.

This four-day retreat will be led by Robert Brumet, Victor J. Dougherty with additional support from TBC Staff. The retreat will be hybrid
and begins 7pm Wed. May 15th and ends 4pm Saturday May 18th.

Those attending are asked to keep the noble silence at all times except when speaking with the instructors.
If you live with others, please make arrangements for them to honor your practice or, if possible, find a place where you can be alone the entire time.

Practice format will be similar to residential retreats:
alternate periods of sitting and walking, instruction,
conferences, yoga, contemplative movement, (Tai Chi Chih)
Dharma talks, and Heart Practices.
Special Vesak Celebration

Insight Meditation is a practice that aims to free the mind from the distortions of self-centeredness, negativity, and confusion. Through the intensive practice of moment-to-moment investigation of the body-mind process the mind gradually sees more clearly into the nature of itself. Such clear seeing leads to freedom from the attachments and misconceptions that cause our suffering and allows us to open to a path of wisdom and compassion.

About our retreat leaders:
Robert Brumet. He has been teaching Insight Meditation since 1990. Robert received Community Dharma Leader certification from Spirit Rock Meditation Center in 2000. He is also a Spiritual Director, having received certification from Mt. St. Scholastica College in 2013.

Victor J. Dougherty. Leading groups in the KC area in mindfulness and meditation, the director of the Temple Buddhist Center and has been practicing for over 17 years.

Registration:

Teacher Dana
Dana (the Pali word for “generosity”) has been part of the Buddhist tradition for over 2500 years. Traditionally, in Asia it took the form of a lay person supporting the monastic community through offerings of food and other provisions. As the dharma has come to the West “dana” has taken the form of financial donations offered to teachers and retreat leaders.
In this tradition, the registration fee for any retreat is intended to cover only the cost of the retreat itself. None of this money is given to the teacher. Instead, the teacher relies upon the generosity of the participants, in the same spirit in which monks and nuns traditionally relied upon the lay community for support.
Generosity itself is a spiritual practice. It is a practice which the Buddha recommended particularly for lay persons who were not able to engage in the more rigorous spiritual practices of the monastic community. Generosity opens the mind and heart and helps to free us from the bondage of fear and greed.

CANCELLATION POLICY:
If you cancel on or before May 8th, you will receive a 100% refund.
If you cancel on or after May 9th, you will receive a 50% refund.