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 may 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 (accept for week long)
             registration deadline:    7 days before retreat     Limited to 14 people

       Fees: $150/weekend and $350/five day, plus a tuition donation (your choose how much)
                          To register send a non-refundable deposit of half the retreat fee to:
         Sky Meadow Retreat,   63 Winchester Rd.,  Greensboro Bend, VT 05842

Led by Miles Sherts

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I have been honored to call Miles my spiritual teacher for over six years, since I attended my first Insight Meditation Retreat at Sky Meadow.  It was my first experience in meditation and his gentle, simple guidance to breathe and notice the uniqueness of what comes from being still changed my life by the end of the three days.  Through his inspirational talks and personal interviews, I was able to recognize the invaluable gifts of letting go and being in the present moment.  I continued to attend retreats at Sky Meadow, but what became more precious to me was the on-going mentoring that Miles provided me for using this practice in everyday life.  

My intention for a meditation practice was not only a formal daily sitting; I wanted it to support me in becoming a more peaceful and authentic person in the world.  Miles has continuously supported me on my spiritual journey by openly hearing my life experiences and offering straightforward explanations as to how they all relate to the practice and how I can use them for growth, development, and compassion for the world.  Knowing Miles as a teacher has been a priceless gift in my life that keeps on giving.

Meghan Mulvenna       Founder, Special Travelers, L.L.C.        www.specialtravelers.org

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Miles held a two hour insight meditation workshop for Omega staff in May 2008.  At the end of the session, as we each had a chance to share about our experiences, one of the staff was having a strong reaction.  He had just arrived at Omega and was obviously going through profound changes in his life.  He burst out in tears, and seemed uncomfortable as he was trying to hold back.  I was deeply touched by the way Miles opened up a safe and secure space for him to let out what he was experiencing.  He guided the participant who was in distress to accept the transformation he was going through. 

   Miles helped us realize that he was growing instead of simply falling apart.  I appreciated the guidance and assistance Miles offered to him and to the group in such an intense moment.  It was a teaching in itself to witness how Miles handled the situation in such a nurturing way.  Miles has an ability to effectively contain deep personal transformation and help us go to the places within, were we are afraid to go. 

Eric Baribeau      Assistant Manager,   Campus Support,    Omega Institute

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Miles has been generously offering all-day retreats at UVM every semester for the past 5 years.  His retreats always fill up quickly with students, and other community members.  Miles brings a sense of gentleness and grace to his meditation instruction that is supportive of beginning and experienced meditators alike.  

Many students who come to the all-day retreat have little or no meditation experience, and are intimidated by the idea of spending an entire day in silence.  Miles has a gift of making students and new meditators comfortable in the retreat situation, and easing them into a space of silent presence.  He likes to tell of his own first experience  of meditation when he was struggling during his college years – his story is clearly evidenced in his compassion and empathy for students who attend his retreats.  Post-retreat evaluations have been glowingly positive.  Most participants end the day feeling a sense of gratitude, accomplishment, and commitment to incorporating mindfulness into their lives. 

Miv London, Ph.D.    -     Coordinator, UVM Mindfulness Practice Center

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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 fees listed on the schedule page for each retreat represent the costs for housing and food.   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.