The experience of a residential retreat
Geshe Kelsang Gyatso explains in the book Heart Jewel what a retreat is. ‘On retreat we stop all forms of business and extraneous activities so as to emphasize a particular spiritual practice’. In these times when the flow of...
Hollif
Geshe Kelsang Gyatso explains in the book Heart Jewel what a retreat is. ‘On retreat we stop all forms of business and extraneous activities so as to emphasize a particular spiritual practice’. In these times when the flow of new impulses, activities and tasks we have to perform is never-ending, a time of retreat is a very precious and rare opportunity to enjoy a real break. During this time we enjoy conditions that allow us to create space both physically and mentally.
Kadampa residential centers are precious places that offer wonderful conditions for a long retreat. They have simple but comfortable rooms to stay in, we don't have to worry about daily activities like shopping or cooking, and we are accompanied by a community that strives to live according to Dharma and understands and values the qualities and potentials that a retreat can bring.
A retreat also requires some inner conditions that we should try to cultivate in order to get the best out of it so that our experience will be deeper and more lasting when we return home.
Geshe Kelsang makes it clear also in the book Heart Jewel '...this experience will be achieved by preventing distractions and strong delusions such as attachment, anger, jealousy and strong self-grasping from arising, and by maintaining mindfulness and conscientiousness.“
This important aspect of the retreat is also helped by the community who join the retreat or who support us in other ways, such as with their inspiration and example.
