Also known as Mindfulness, or Vipassana Meditation, this simple method aims at clearing the mind, giving us a chance to experience truth directly for ourselves.  We use awareness of breathing and other body sensations to calm and focus the mind.  The retreat will be held mostly in silence and will focus on sitting and walking practice. There will be instructions, guided meditations, and inspirational talks based on  the teachings of the Buddha.
We usually have several guided yoga sessions during the retreat led by a visiting yoga teacher.

Retreats begin at 6:00 on Friday and end around 3:00 on the last day
           registration deadline:    7 days before retreat     Limited to 14 people
        To register send a non-refundable deposit of $50 to:
         Sky Meadow Retreat,   63 Winchester Rd.,  Greensboro Bend, VT 05842

Led by Miles Sherts

INSIGHT MEDITATION RETREATS
AT SKY MEADOW RETREAT CENTER

           Insight meditation is a simple practice of bringing direct awareness to the
experience of each present moment.  Doing this brings clarity and calms the mind
enabling one to see through interpretations and concepts and know the freedom of a
direct experience of reality.   Intensive retreats are a time to train the mind in this
direction and provide a foundation to carry  meditation practice into daily life.  These
retreats are held mostly in silence and consist primarily of sitting and slow walking
meditation periods.  Participants are expected to follow the daily schedule and maintain silence while on retreat.   There will be simple instructions, short individual interviews, and inspirational talks based on Buddhist teachings.
 
           Sky Meadow Retreat offers comfortable beds in shared dorm rooms with shared
bathrooms nearby.  There is a large light filled meditation hall and indoor walking area, lounge area and dining room.   The retreat is located at the end of a quiet road, offering privacy and silence with easy access to nature. .  The land provides wooded trails, ponds and a hilltop with  great views.   Simple vegetarian food will be served buffet style with an emphasis on the noon meal.  Retreats here are small, usually from 6 - 12 people, providing a unique sense of intimacy, cohesiveness, and silent support from other participants.  

        Miles learned this practice at a monastery in Sri Lanka in 1976.  The instructions
and supporting teachings come from the Therevadin Buddhist tradition found in Sri
Lanka, Burma, Thailand, and other parts of Southeast Asia.  This tradition emphasizes
the simple practices taught by the Buddha and involves very little ritual or complex
systems of thought.  Miles has sat intensively and been on staff at the Insight Meditation Society in Barre, Mass, and has done retreats at other Asian and European Monasteries.

    The teachings during these retreats will focus on experience learned through years
of practice rather than Buddhist language or theology.   Some basic teachings of the
Buddha will be offered to create a context for the practice of meditation.  The teachings will relate directly to each persons current experience and the application of direct awareness to that experience.  The main focus will be on loosening the mind from habitual patterns of holding in order to experience the present moment as it is.   
   
    The costs of each retreat covers food and lodging.  You are expected to bring your
own linens and towels unless you make other arrangements with us.  In the Buddhist
tradition, an additional teaching donation is appreciated.  You may offer whatever
amount you choose at the end of the retreat.  These retreats are intended to be a time for experienced practitioners to receive the support of group practice,
and for beginners tohave an introduction to meditation.