In a world of change and unpredictability, in times that often feel chaotic and confusing, where do we look for ease and security? Often, in our search for a dependable refuge, we can mistakenly turn to that which is essentially unreliable and unable to provide the stability we seek.
Insight (or vipassana) meditation is the simple, direct observation of the mind/body process with relaxed, open and careful attention. As we connect with our experience from a place of spacious stillness and steadiness, we learn to meet the changing conditions we encounter with greater ease and balance of mind. As our understanding deepens, equanimity in the face of change grows, and we discover a refuge that is to a great extent independent of life’s changing conditions.
This retreat is suitable for both beginners and experienced students of meditation. The primary language will be English, with possibility of clarification in Swedish if needed.
PRACTICAL INFORMATION
Application: Apply by paying in the application fee SEK 500:- to the postal account (plusgiro) of Vipassanagruppen 17 43 75-6. Write your name, birth date, address, e-mail address, phone number and code GMR on the application. The rest of the retreat fee, 2.400 kr, should be paid in full before 30 June 2019.
If payment is made over the Internet with limited space for details, send those in a separate e-mail to vipassanagruppen@sangha.nu
In case of cancellation, please inform us as soon as possible. The retreat fee is refundable if the cancellation takes place before 1 of July 2019 (minus the registration fee of 500 SEK that will be taken to the Vipassanagruppen Scholarship Fund).
DAILY SCHEDULE
(bell ring)
WEDNESDAY
16.00 Check in
17:30 Â Registration
18:30 Delicious vegan evening meal
19.30 Introduction to meditation and Qigong.
20:30 Sitting meditation or rest
THURSDAY TO SATURDAY
06:00 Wake up
06.30 Qi gong
07:15 Sitting
08:00 Breakfast
09:00 Sitting meditation and instructions
10:00 Walking meditation / Group meeting
10:45 Sitting meditation
11:30 Qi gong
12:15 Succulent vegan lunch buffet
14:15 Sitting meditation
15:00 Walking meditation/Group meeting
15:45 Sitting meditation
16:30 Qi gong
17:15 Delicious vegan evening meal
18:30 Sitting meditation
19:15 Standing meditation
19:30 Dhamma talk + Q&A
20:30 Walking meditation
21.00 Sitting meditation + chanting
21:30 Rest
SUNDAY
06:00 Wake up
06.30 Qi gong
07:15 Sitting
08:00 Breakfast
09:00 Sitting
10:00 Qi gong
10:45 Closing ceremony + free time
12:00 Succulent vegan lunch buffet
13.30 Check out
meet the team
TEACHER’S BIO
GREG SCHARF
Greg Scharf began meditating in 1992 & has been teaching residential meditation retreats since 2007, including the annual 3 month retreat at the Insight Meditation Society where he serves as a guiding teacher. In his teaching Greg emphasizes the understanding that meditation is fundamentally an exploration of nature and natural processes. He also stresses the critical importance of bringing the qualities of kindness, compassion, and a sense of humor to practice.
Greg has a long-standing relationship with the country & people of Burma (Myanmar) where he trained as a Buddhist monk and where he works with a small humanitarian aid project – Metta in Action – particularly targeting education, health-care, and support of Buddhist Nuns. Currently living in the high country of northern Arizona, Greg’s love of nature and the outdoors deeply informs both his practice and teaching.
MARIE ERICSSON
Marie Ericsson started to meditate 1970 with S N Goenka in Bodh Gaya, India. Since then she has done many long retreats in Thailand, Myanmar, England and USA. Her main teachers are Joseph Goldstein, Sayadaw U Pandita, Sayadaw U Tejaniya, and Leigh Brasington, among other Asian and Western teachers. Recently, Marie spent 5 months on retreat at the Insight Meditation Society, USA, followed by a period of practice in Winter 2016 with Sayadaw U Tejaniya at Shwe Oo Min monastery in Myanmar.
Marie has been an active member of Vipassanagruppen in Sweden since it started 1986 and since 1998 has led the weekly sitting group as well as teaching numerous retreats. In her teaching, Marie draws from her years of experience with different approaches to Vipassana meditation, in order to fully engage with and explore the Buddha’s instructions in the Satipatthana Sutta. Relaxation, lightheartedness and humor are also important parts of her teaching style.
Marie lives in Stockholm, although she usually spends the summer months in her cottage in Hälsingland, surrounded by lakes, forest, and apple trees. A love of the natural world deeply informs her life and approach to meditation.
Marie is the author of a book called “Kom och se – om meditation och thravadabuddhism”. (Come and see – about meditation and Theravada Buddhism). It is only available in Swedish language.
RAGNVALD JONSSON
Already early in life Ragnvald Jonsson became interested in different ways to use movements. His path has consisted of an exploration of how movements can contribute to development and a deeper awareness. He learned Tai Chi Qigong (Shibashi), 18 movements, from Franz Moeckl.
Ragnvald is also a trained Sports teacher and a Waldorf teacher and worked since many years at a school/treatment center for young people with neuropsychiatric disabilities as a Special Educator – Specialist Sensomotorik. He is also a certified Mindfulness instructor and he leads Mindfulness and Qigong in his work.
Recently Ragnvald retired from his school teacher position, in order to spend more time with his young clients and developing an education program for teachers of Sensomotorik.
Ragnvald lives with his family in the village Kloster in southern Dalarna. He also has a small pottery workshop, where he works at his leisure time.
MORE at Shambala
“The energy is so, so clear, deeply heart centred and the intent with which Shambala Gatherings is held is so beautiful it has become a massively important part of our event’s work and life. We have found nothing like it elsewhere.”
GALLERY
How to get here
Shambala Gatherings
Borntorpet 1
Skinnskatteberg
Sweden
Located just two hours away from Stockholm in Skinnskatteberg, Sweden, the area is easily accessible by air, train and car, making a great option for a short break wildlife destination.
- Coming by air: The nearest airport to Shambala is Stockholm Vasteras. The second nearest airport is Arlanda airport, the main airport in Sweden. You can easily take a train all the way to Skinnskatteberg from both of them.
- Coming by train / bus: We are fortunate to have a train / bus station at Skinnskatteberg only 5 minutes ride from the center. We offer free pick up services from this station in summer.
- Coming by car: Simply open this Google map on your navigator and follow directions to Borntorpet 1 in Skinnskatteberg, Sweden.