Radical Compassion:

When Caring for Ourselves is Caring for Others

A five-day retreat in the tradition of Thich Nhat Hanh with Dharma Teacher Joanne Friday

May 17-21, 2013  •  Camp Aldersgate, 1043 Snake Hill Road, North Scituate, RI 02857

 

This spring we have the opportunity to come together to heal and transform our unskillful states of mind, cultivate freedom, fearlessness and joy, and expand our capacity for understanding and compassion. We will use the teachings and practices that have been given to us from the Buddha through Thich Nhat Hanh. Joanne Friday, a Dharma teacher in the Tiep Hien Order, will lead this retreat. She received authority to teach from Thich Nhat Hanh, who has been her teacher for 20 years. Joanne says that the Dharma is the greatest gift she has ever received and her greatest joy is passing it on.

 

Retreat Format  The retreat is residential, with periods of sitting and walking meditation and daily dharma talks by our teacher. Work meditation assignments help us practice mindfulness while being active with our hands. The purpose of the retreat is inner transformation, a process that is best supported by noble silence, which we will observe. We will break our silence occasionally for Dharma sharing and singing.

 

Lodging and Food  Camp Aldersgate (aldersgateretreats.org) is located in northwestern Rhode Island on 233 acres of wooded land. The Retreat Center overlooks a lake. The site also includes a labyrinth and peace garden. The camp has dormitory-style accommodations (three to seven occupants per room) for 50 people. While the majority of the beds are either single beds or lower bunks, there are some upper bunks. If there are physical reasons why you are unable to sleep in an upper bunk, please note this on your registration. Please plan to bring your own pillow, bedding and towels.  If you wish to rent linen, a complete set (pillow, sheets and blankets, bath towels) costs $25, payable with your registration. Vegetarian meals will be provided. Please indicate any food allergies on this form. We will have access to two refrigerators, should you have special needs that we are unable to meet.

 

Dana (donation to our teacher)  A practice that is basic to personal transformation, peace and happiness is dana or generosity. It is in the spirit of dana that our teacher offers her teachings (24/7) free of charge. The cost of the retreat is for food and lodging only. For normally employed people, a donation to Joanne of $200 is suggested in addition to the retreat cost.

 

Food and Lodging Cost  For those registering by April 1, the cost for an unspecified bed and food for the five-day retreat is $250. The cost for a requested single bed or lower bunk in a room for three is $300. Due to an additional site fee, the cost for those who wish to bring a tent and camp is $275 per person.  Anyone wishing to bring an RV should check first with Ann, as only two sites are available.  The total cost for bringing an RV is $426.  There is no reduced rate for commuters. Complete retreat cost is due at time of registration. After April 1, please add $10 for late registration.  Registration ends May 1. Please note that this retreat may fill up quickly so early registration is recommended.

 

Scholarships  We will do our best within the limits of the community to help those who cannot afford the full cost to be able to attend.  Registration and application for scholarship assistance must be received by April 1.  Should insufficient scholarship help be available, any registration money paid will be refunded.

 

Check-In  is from 3:30 – 5:30 pm on Friday, May 17. From 5 pm until 6:30 pm, a light buffet of soup, bread and salad will be available. All of our meals (with the exception of our final lunch together) will be enjoyed in mindful silence. Our first program will begin at 7 pm. The retreat will end at 3 p.m. on Tuesday, May 21.

 

Radical Compassion: Registration Form

May 17-21, 2013  •  Camp Aldersgate, 1043 Snake Hill Road, North Scituate, RI 02857

 

Please complete this form and mail it, with your full payment to:

Gary Kendig, 65 Village Street, Medway, MA 02053. Checks should be made payable to Gary Kendig.

Registration closes on May 1, 2012. If you need to cancel your registration, please contact Ann Moore (goldmoore41@gmail.com) before May 1.  Prior to April 1, full refund will be made, minus a $10 processing fee. During April, you will receive a refund of 75%.  No refunds will be made after May 1.

 

_____________________________________________________              ________            __________

NAME                                                                                                                                                                                                 GENDER                        AGE

______________________________________________________________________________

MAILING ADDRESS

____________________            _________________________            ________________________________

DAY PHONE                                                        CELL PHONE                                                                  EMAIL                                                                                      

___________________________________________________________________                    _________________________________________________________

EMERGENCY CONTACT / RELATIONSHIP                                                                      CONTACT NUMBERS                                       

____________________________________                    _______________                        _____________________________________________

ROOMMATE PREFERENCE IF ANY                                        DO You SNore?                         DOES SNORING INTERFERE WITH YOUR SLEEP?                                 

_______________________________________________                    _____________________________________________________________________

FOOD  ALLERGIES                                                                                     OTHER ALLERGIES

 

Please note: The retreat fee, which covers food and lodging, does not include dana for our teacher.  Suggested
teacher dana (for normally employed people) is $200.  You may enclose dana now, or donate at the retreat.

CHECK ALL THAT APPLY:

_______ $250 for food and lodging in a room of up to 7 people

               I can sleep in either an upper or a lower bunk ______  I need a lower bunk or single bed _____

_______ $275 for registration, food and camp site (retreatants provide their own tents)

_______ $300 for food and a lower bunk or single bed in a room of no more than 3 people

_______  add $25 for linen rental (pillow, sheets, blanket, towel and face cloth) if you do not intend to bring your own

_______  add $10 late fee for registration after April 1

_______  I have enclosed a donation of __________ to the scholarship fund.

_______  I have enclosed dana for Joanne Friday in the amount of _________ in addition to the food and lodging fee.

_______  I will be able to come only with financial assistance. I have enclosed what I can for the retreat, together with an explanation of my need, both for the retreat and for financial assistance. I (need/do not need) a lower bunk. I understand that if financial assistance is not available, my enclosed fee will be refunded. Note: registration forms from retreatants requesting financial assistance must be received by April 1.

Please read carefully and sign the waiver below:

I, the undersigned, understand that during my stay at Camp Aldersgate, I am responsible for my well-being and that neither Camp Aldersgate nor the Rhode Island Community of Mindfulness can be held liable for any accidents or illness that befall me while participating in the retreat May 17-21, 2013 at Camp Aldersgate.  I also understand that a silent retreat can be deep and relaxing, but it can also be challenging mentally and emotionally. I understand that meditation is a complement to psychological treatment, but not a substitute for psychiatric medication or treatment. I am not currently withdrawing from psychiatric or other drugs. If I have a history of acute mental crisis, I have contacted Clare Sartori (below) or some other mental health care professional to discuss the appropriateness of the retreat for me at this time.

 

Signature:                                                                                Date:

 

  (If you have questions about the above statement, please contact Clare Sartori at 401-783-0662.)

General questions: please contact Ann Moore at 860-535-0430 or goldmoore41@gmail.com.