Updated 17th July 2001

"Looking at the Nature of our Mind"

1. Dates

You are warmly invited to experience 5 or 10 days of Mindfulness Practice with the Community of Interbeing (CoI).

The practice will be offered as two separate, consecutive retreats.

All are welcome to the Open Retreat on October 5^th – 10th: beginners and experienced practitioners, buddhists and non-buddhists alike.

The retreat from October 1^st – 5^th is part of CoI’s Dharma Training Programme, and participation is restricted to those who are, or who are intending to become, members of the CoI. Participants on the Dharma Training Programme Retreat are welcome (and encouraged) to stay on for the Open Retreat.

2. Sister Annabel Laity

The retreats will be led by Sister Annabel, who will be present from October 1^st - 9^th, and assisted by experienced members of the Order of Interbeing Core Community.

Sister Annabel Laity (Dharma name: Chan Duc – True Virtue) is a much-loved senior Dharma Teacher of the Order of Interbeing. She has been a disciple of Thich Nhat Hanh since 1986, became a Dharma Teacher in 1990 and was Director of Practice at Plum Village. Since 1997, she has been Director of the Maple Forest Monastery, USA, and was installed as Abbess at the Green Mountain Dharma Centre in 1998. She has travelled widely, leading meditation retreats and giving talks in many different countries of the world.

3. Location

Caple ne Ferne in St Leonards on Sea, near Hastings, is a residential retreat centre and language school, with accommodation for up to 100 people. There is a pleasant garden, and the beach is 10 minutes away by foot. Travel directions will be sent on registration.

4. Accommodation

Accommodation is simple, in same-sex shared rooms. Couples are normally allocated separate rooms. If you are a family or group wishing to share a room, please register on the same form.

5. Costs

The costs have been kept as low as possible. The cost for the Dharma Training Programme Retreat is £100, and for the Open Retreat is £145. The different costs reflect the subsidisation of the Dharma Training Programme from central CoI funds.

A limited number of bursaries will be available. If you wish to apply for a bursary, please indicate on the booking form, and an application form will be sent to you.

6. Retreat Activities

The usual programme of retreat activities is: early morning meditation and readings; breakfast; Dharma talk; outdoor walking meditation; personal time; afternoon activity; evening meal; Dharma discussion group; evening meditation; bedtime. Meals are taken in silence, and Noble Silence will be observed from the start of evening meditation until after breakfast.

7. Other Activities

We welcome your contributions to retreats, and your willingness to bring your talents and enthusiasm, and to create opportunities to share music, poetry, dance, artwork, country walks, yoga, jogging, or other activities. Please use the space on the form to indicate any specific contributions you could make.

8. The Dharma Training Programme

The Dharma Training Programme run by The Community of Interbeing is intended for anyone with some experience of the practice as taught by Thich Nhat Hanh, who is willing to develop their understanding of the practice, in order to share it with others. As the training is intended to strengthen the sangha of The Community of Interbeing, participants are expected to be members of the community, (i.e. subscribers to ‘Here & Now’), or to join at the time of registration.

9. Mindfulness Trainings Transmission

There will be an opportunity to receive transmission of the Five Wonderful Mindfulness Trainings (the 5 Precepts observed by members of the Community of Interbeing) from Sister Annabel during each retreat. Anyone considering taking the Fourteen Mindfulness Trainings is asked to discuss this with Meg Stacey (address below) at the earliest possible opportunity.

10. Children

If there is demand, a children's programme can be developed for the Open Retreat. Pre-school children will be welcome if parents take full responsibility for them throughout. Given enough numbers a crèche could be arranged.

11. Registration

All places for both retreats must be booked in advance, by returning the enclosed registration form(s). Early booking is appreciated. Please complete the enclosed form for each retreat, and return it with 2 stamped addressed envelopes.

Because the retreat centre requires full payment in advance, a non-refundable deposit of £20 per person per retreat is required with the booking, and the remaining cost is to be paid in full by August 31^st.

12. Further information

Ann Irving