VIPASSANĀ RETREAT
ALGARVE, PORTUGAL
THIS RETREAT IS NOW FULL • JOIN WAITLIST BELOW
Buddhism, considered one of the five great religions of the world, stands out amongst the five as the only atheistic and evolutionary religious path to salvation and emancipation from suffering.
Religion has become oft associated with Gods and devas, but the word ‘religion’, from the latin word ‘religare’ and its root ‘lig’, means to bind or unite. A religion, thus, is a system of practice and way of living that unites humankind with the highest thing and need not encompass heavenly realms and God-like beings. However, for the majority of the religions (creationist/theistic) of the world, this highest thing is the unification with an anthropomorphic God, and the teachings within them stem from revelations passed down from the God(s).
Yet, in the evolutionary religion of Buddhism there are no God-like beings and although deified over thousands of years, the Buddha was a human-being, just like you and I, that experienced suffering. If, however, one were to state that all religions must have a God or Gods, then we could, for arguments sake, state that the God of Buddhism is nature herself (Dhamma) and the intrinsic laws (dhammas) within nature that govern all of life upon this planet.
As the Buddha discovered through his direct and penetrating observation of his own embodiment, these endemic laws of nature (dhammas) also govern nature as expressed through the human mind and body. Through ardent dedication and patient endurance the Buddha saw clearly that suffering (dukkha) arose when the mind attempts to control and bend these natural laws according to its conditioned preferences. The result is the separation and concomitant isolation from the natural rhythm of nature and, in turn, life itself.
In this eight-day meditation retreat held in noble silence at the beautiful Bodhi Bhavan retreat centre (Algarve, Portugal), practitioners will apply the ancient method of vipassanā meditation, cultivating insight into the true nature of all psychophysical phenomena, reawakening the innate state of mental and spiritual seclusion known as viveka and resulting in the systematic eradication of suffering (dukkha).
This meditation journey will integrate the practice of metta (loving-kindness) meditation with the traditional and potent vipassanā methodology of the revered Burmese master Mahāsi Sayadaw, as passed down to Whit over his 16 years of study and practice within the Buddhist tradition, including intensive monastic experiences in Mahāsi Sayadaw’s monastery in Rangoon, Burma.
Metta (loving-kindness) is often considered a prerequisite to vipassanā meditation, and through personal experience Whit holds it in high regard as a fundamental component of the path towards liberating insight.
“The great Burmese Master Mahasi Sayadaw’s approach to meditation is very clear, very precise and ‘to the point,’ faithfully adhering to the method of the Buddha in his own successful search for Enlightenment. Whit Hornsberger’s experiences of intensive monastic meditation in Burma, combined with his studies of Yoga and other forms of Eastern Spirituality, have given him a unique ability to communicate to Westerners a classical approach to meditation, one that is deeply rooted in the profound Burmese tradition.”
This retreat includes daily yoga practice, daily interviews with the teacher, Dhamma talks and intensive periods of sitting and walking meditation.
The retreat is offered by the teacher through the Buddhist practice of dāna (donation) or generosity.
We look forward to spending this transformative week with you in the inspiring surroundings of southern Portugal.
- This retreat is limited to 16 practitioners -
PRICES* (Based on double occupancy + all vegan/vegetarian meals):
Room Category A: SOLD OUT
645€ /person + Dāna (Donation)**
Room Category B: SOLD OUT
575€ /person + Dāna (Donation)**
* 5% tax not included
* Category A rooms are slightly larger than Category B rooms.
**IMPORTANT**: This retreat is offered by the teacher by way of the traditional Buddhist practice of dāna (generosity). The price shown covers accommodation and meals (vegan/vegetarian) only.
It is important that each practitioner understands that the teacher receives no payment for this retreat aside from the donation that is offered by the students.
At the culmination of the retreat each practitioner will be required to practice dāna/generosity, making a donation to the teacher. Please make sure that you have read the dāna page and understand this practice before applying for the retreat. If you have any questions about the practice of dāna, please let us know.
We thank you, in advance, for your generous support to allow Whit to continue sharing the teachings of the Buddha in the way they have been passed down for 2600 years.
***A 50% non-refundable deposit is required upon registration. Full balance due by December 21st, 2024.
***Two weeks prior to the retreat start (January 4th), all payments are non-refundable.