‘Me as Blue Sky’ Meditation Retreat with Sudhammacara Bhikkhu Ryodo Yamashita
From the Teacher—
“What we need to do before we start meditating right away is to change our worldview.
In the conventional worldview, the self is this collection of three things: the body, the thinking mind, and the emotions. Outside of that self, the objective world exists. I am one of many entities. That entity exists in this world for a while and then fades away. I, too, exist on this earth for a few decades, and then I disappear and become zero.
I, who live in this world, react to various things. When I encounter something that is good for me, I like it, and when I encounter something that is bad for me, I dislike it. When we observe these reactions, we can see that they cause suffering. Therefore, we should eliminate this reaction. No craving, no aversion.
This is exactly what we are taught in Vipassana.
Is it possible?
Of course, it is Not possible.
Why?
Because our ego itself is reactive, it is like a computer operating system (OS). It is not an app. An app can be deleted, but an OS cannot.
So, we have to live a life of anxiety and fear, reacting for the rest of our lives?
Good news. There is another OS. We think this world exists objectively. In meditation, we discover the perspective that looks at that world from the outside. The subject of that perspective is the True Self. That perspective is what is called mindfulness. The real subject of Vipassana. From there, we observe all things as they are, without likes and dislikes.
In this retreat we do not practice the mindfulness or vipassana that you have been forcing yourself to do, but the discovery of your true self, and mindfulness and vipassana as a way of being.
First, we will elucidate the structure of ourselves and the world, and introduce specific meditations to realize our true selves.
“Me as the Blue Sky” in the title is, therefore, an absolutely contradictory expression. “Me” and “Blue Sky” are ultimately diametrically opposed. “Me” is the constructed. “Blue sky” is something that is not constructed. In other words, the purpose of this retreat is to discover that there is an unconstructed dimension other than the constructed me that we usually think of, and that is the true self.
The retreat will consist of guided meditations, Dharma talks, interviews, yoga, walking meditation, and mindful eating.
Throughout the day, instead of trying to be mindful, we will discover who I am as mindful and blue sky by nature, so that we can live by it.”
This is a silent retreat.
IMPORTANT: It will commence on the evening of September 4 and conclude on the evening of September 9, 2023
About the Teacher—
Venerable Sudhammacara was ordained in the Japanese Soto Zen tradition in 1983, under Kosho Uchiyama Roshi. He practiced and taught zazen meditation for more than 18 years, including several years at Valley Zendo in Massachusetts, USA. In 2001, he took Theravadan bhikku ordination in the Burmese forest monk tradition, and trained in shamatha and vipassana meditation in Burma and Sri Lanka. Since 2006, he has also been studying Tibetan Buddhism under Trulshik Rinpoche and Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche.
By Donation. No Fees.
Retreat Schedule—
05:00 a.m. Wake up Wash
05:20 a.m. Morning Yoga with Rie Itabashi
06:00 a.m. Morning Prayer
06:20 a.m. Four elements Meditation
07:00 a.m. Walking Meditation
07:20a.m. Compassion Meditation
08:00 a.m. Breakfast
09:30 a.m. Dharma talk
10:20 a.m. Tea Meditation
10:40 a.m. Anapana Sati Meditation
11:30 a.m. Walking Meditation
12:00 noon Lunch
01:30 p.m. Walking Meditation
02:00 p.m. Sitting Meditation
02:45 p.m. Walking Meditation
03:15 p.m. Sitting Meditation
04:00 p.m. Afternoon Yoga with Rie Itabashi
05:00 p.m. Interview with the teacher
06:00 p.m. Dinner
07:00 p.m. Pranayama + Sitting Meditation
07:50 p.m. Standing Meditation
08:10 p.m. Sitting Meditation
09:00 p.m. End Bedtime