Ocean of Peace
December 1 – 3, 2022
with Cindy Parker (Resident Teacher of KMC SC)
and Mark Gould
Clarity of Mind
This weekend retreat will take you on an inner journey into the clear and limitless nature of your own mind and help you to experience the peace and clarity within. Cindy will explain and guide simple, yet profound meditations that begin to open up a whole new inner world to gain deep insight and ability to understand and control your mind.
Mahamudra is the heart practice of Kadampa Buddhism. A great favourite among practitioners; deeply relaxing and profound meditations that will help you maintain a happy and peaceful mind in your daily life. Dive into the silence and clarity of your own mind and experience the peace and pure nature of the mind allowing you to let go of limiting and painful self-conceptions and instead lead you towards becoming the person you wish to be.
We’ll be engaging in Prayers for Meditation chanted prayers during the sessions. This retreat is suitable for those new to meditation as well as experienced practitioners.
Everyone welcome.
A retreat is a wonderful opportunity to take a meaningful break from our daily lives in order to learn, reflect and meditate to make powerful changes in our hearts and lives.
On this retreat we will have silence in the mornings until lunch, with an option for those who wish to remain silent all day. Others may enjoy sharing thoughts and insights with a community of like-minded spiritual practitioners.
This retreat is suitable for beginners and advanced meditators alike.
About the Teacher
Cindy has been practicing meditation and Kadampa Buddhism for over 15 years. She is the Resident Teacher of Kadampa Meditation South Carolina in Columbia. Cindy shares her love of meditation and Kadampa Buddhism, with inspiring enthusiasm showing others how to keep a peaceful mind and kind heart.
Mark has been a part of KMC South Carolina since 2002. He has taught numerous classes and workshops both at the Center and around the region. Mark is a member of the Teacher Training Program, and presents the teachings in a light-hearted and insightful way.
Venue
Isle of Palms Coastal Retreat is a 2-minute walk from the beach and a short drive from Charleston. December is a beautiful time for quiet walks on the beach, enjoying the waves and wildlife.
The retreat sessions and group meals will be held in the Coastal Retreat Center. The retreat center provides a great environment for quiet reflection and community time. We enjoyed it last year and are returning here again!
Comfortable chairs and some meditation cushions will be available. If you have your own meditation cushion that you wish to bring, please feel free to do so.
Address
2101 Palm Blvd., Isle of Palms, SC 29451
(Free parking onsite)
Accommodations
Each guest room has its own bathroom with shower and independent heating and air conditioning. The rooms are clean, comfortable and quiet.
Please be aware that rooms are limited and available on a first-come, first serve basis, so early registration is recommended.
Retreat Schedule and Format
Sessions will generally include a preliminary guided meditation, short prayers, an introductory teaching to the meditation, and a longer guided meditation. Some sessions will include Q&A or discussion.
During the retreat, we encourage you to maintain silence from the mornings through lunchtime as a method to quiet the mind and get the most out of each session.
Friday, Dec 1
7:30 – 8:45 pm Teaching and meditation
Saturday, Dec 2
9 -10:15 am Teaching and meditation
11:15 am – 12:30 pm Teaching and meditation
1 pm Lunch
3:00 – 4:15 pm Teaching and meditation
4:15 – 4:45 pm Discussion with Q&A
6 pm Dinner
7:30 – 8:45 pm Teaching and meditation
Sunday, Dec 3
8:30 – 9:45 am Teaching and meditation
10:45 – 12 pm Teaching and meditation with Q & A
Costs (per person):
Retreat, accommodation, and Saturday meals for the entire weekend:
Single Room $335*
Shared Room $250*
*Register and pay in full by November 1st for 10% discount. Any payments made after 1 November will not be discounted. All balances are due by the 25th of November. Any bookings after the 25th will be paid in full.
Retreat and Saturday meals (no accommodation):
Entire retreat $140
Friday and Saturday only $110
Cancellation Policy:
A non-refundable deposit of 25% will hold your space. No refunds for any cancellations within 7 days of retreat start date.
Address
2101 Palm Blvd., Isle of Palms, SC 29451
What to Bring
Breakfast: We will be providing vegetarian lunch and dinner on Saturday (meals are included in the registration cost). Please bring your own breakfast foods; a refrigerator is available. If you have special dietary requirements, please let us know.
Layers of clothing: With a large group, it is almost impossible to find a temperature that everyone agrees upon! We will try to make the meditation room as comfortable as possible, but it’s still a good idea for you to come with layers of clothing so that you can adjust as you need to. This also holds true for socks as we will not be wearing shoes inside the meditation room.
Blanket: The meditation room may be a little chilly in the winter and you may wish to bring a blanket to put under your feet or over your lap.
Comfortable walking clothes: We encourage you to enjoy some fresh air and the lovely beach during your stay.
Dharma books: You may wish to refer to your favorite Dharma books during the course of the retreat.
Meditation cushion: If you have your own meditation cushion that you would like to use, we suggest you bring it with you. We will also be providing chairs and some cushions. We will not have enough cushions for every participant, however.
What NOT to Bring
Cell Phones: For the purpose of developing deeper concentration in your mind, we encourage you to take a break from cellphone use. It’s ok to bring your cell phone and check in with your family from time to time. However, we advise keeping your cell phone usage to a minimum and we specifically request that you do not bring it to retreat sessions with you. This will prevent the awkwardness of having your phone go off in the middle of a meditation session.
Music: During the retreat, it is a good idea to refrain from listening to music. For the sake of your own concentration and the sake of others’, please do not listen to music, even on headphones, while at the retreat.
Pets: Sorry, but due to pet allergies, you will need to leave your animals at home.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this meditation retreat suitable for beginners?
Yes, absolutely!
Should I bring my own meditation cushion?
If you have a meditation cushion that you like to use, you are more than welcome to bring it with you. We will providing some meditation cushions but we will not have enough for all participants. We will also have comfortable chairs for everyone.
Is there a dress code?
No, you can wear whatever is comfortable for you.
Do I have to be a Buddhist to attend?
No, everyone is welcome and everyone can benefit from these meditations whether they are Buddhist or not.
Stay Connected
We will send you one email per week, and we won’t share your email address.
