Meditation Retreat

Also known as Opening to Stillness, this retreat is open to the public. This long weekend retreat will be an opportunity to deepen your practice of meditation and explore more fully the nature of spiritual awakening with Peter Russell, whose meditation sessions were greatly appreciated by many participants in Exploration Essence and Graduate Exploration Essence.

For thousands of years, spiritual traditions have taught meditation as a way to quiet the busy mind and reconnect with the inner self. Yet, when people first try to meditate, they often complain that their minds are too full of thoughts, or they cannot concentrate well enough. This has led to the popular misconception that meditation requires great discipline and years of practice.

Peter Russell, who has been teaching meditation for 40 years, has found that the key to successful meditation is complete effortlessness. The mind in its natural relaxed state is already at ease. Nothing needs to be done to find inner peace; we only have to stop doing the various things that keep our minds busy and tense. The beauty of this approach is that nothing needs to be changed or eliminated. It is simply surrendering to the fullness of the present moment.

In this workshop, we will:

• Experience allowing our minds to fully relax and settle down into a state of profound ease.
• Discover how something as simple as letting go of all effort and resistance can open us to the peace and joy for which we’ve always longed.
• Practice using our inner knowing to guide us during meditation.
• Learn how to free ourselves from the mindsets that create dissatisfaction and unnecessary suffering.
• Explore how to integrate these approaches in our lives and find greater ease in daily activity.

The workshop includes guided meditations, talks, group discussions, and periods of silence and inner reflection. It is suitable for both beginners and experienced meditators.

The retreat will be held at Roberts Mountain Retreat, offering greater seclusion, silence and opportunities for stillness. The Fall is a wonderful time of year to be there.

Participants are requested to be there for the whole retreat. The price of $1,000.00 includes tuition, lodging and meals and local shuttle transportation between The Institute and Charlottesville, Virginia.

For questions regarding this program, please contact the program registrar at programs [@] monroeinstitute.org or 866-881-3440 or 434-361-1252.