SEVEN-DAY RETREAT IN PHU RUEA

Meditation for peace

The Middle Way Meditation Retreat would like to invite you to join our seven-day meditation retreat, conducted almost every month at “Suan Pa Himmawan” Retreat Center, near the Phu Ruea National Park in the Northeastern province of Loei, Thailand.

You will find a near-forest environment, a sanctuary for meditators, surrounded by rolling hills and mountainous scenery. The Center offers simple, clean and comfortable accommodations, enabling you to live in close contact with nature.

The serenity and natural beauty of the surroundings make the village an ideal place for meditation and conducive for listening to your inner voice that might have been silenced by hectic lifestyles, busy schedules and multiple responsibilities. So, why not give yourself a treat and discover the simple joy, relaxation and life-changing benefits that the Dhammakaya method of meditation brings?

Technique of Meditation

The Tradition and Technique of Meditation

At “Suan Pa Himmawan” Retreat Centre, you will learn The Middle Way Technique, one of the most ancient techniques of meditation in the world. Its simplicity, originality and effectiveness has made The Middle Way method among the most popular meditation techniques in Thailand and its international popularity is growing fast. It is about self-discovery, relaxation and purification of the mind. As such, the practice of this technique is not in conflict with any religion or creed, and is open to anyone to try for themselves.

This proven technique dates back to more than 2,500 years and was lost to the world about 500 years after the passing of the Lord Buddha. It was rediscovered in 1917 by the Most Venerable Phramongkolthepmuni, a renowned Thai Buddhist Monk.

The uniqueness of The Middle Way Meditation is that it is the only meditation technique in the world that teaches about the centre of the body as the natural home of the human mind as well as the inner gateway to enlightenment. The closer your mind is to its natural home, the closer or deeper you are in the natural state of the Mind-Happiness. This kind of happiness is self-sustainable and independent of personal circumstances and external factors.

The Middle Way Meditation also has moral impact on the mind. It cleanses the mind so that regular meditators become gentler, kinder and feel increasingly uncomfortable to harm anyone either by speech or action. Anyone, who wishes to quit any unpleasant or acquire good habit for their personal development or career progress, should definitely try The Middle Way meditation.

The Programme

Our meditation course is designed to provide a balanced mind and body relaxation experience. As you breathe in the fresh air of the mountains and hear the birds sing in the morning, you will feel you are one with nature, peaceful, refreshed and ready to take on life’s challenges.

The place to do meditation.

Daily Schedule of Beginners Course*

05.00 Wake up

05.30 Meditation Practice

06.15 Morning Exercise

07.00 Breakfast

09.00 Meditation lnstruction

10.00 Meditation Practice

11.00 Lunch

12.30 Personal Time

13.45 Stretching Exercise

14.00 Meditation Practice

15.00 Lectures on "Meditation and Self-development"

16.00 Personal Time/Group Sharing

17.30 Refreshment Practice

19.00 Meditation Practice

20.00 Lectures on "lnspirational Teachers of The Middle Way Meditation"

21.00 Personal Time

21.30 Sleep in Peace

We understand that your time is precious so we endeavor to make your seven days at our Centre a most beneficial and memorable one. You will have an opportunity to discuss your individual meditation experiences and related issues with experienced Buddhist monks who will be your instructors throughout the course.

peacefulness

How To Get There

For your convenience, we provide a round trip coach from our Bangkok Office, located in Wat Phra Dhammakaya, to our Retreat Centre in Loei province, which is approximately 7 hours ride. The coach will depart from our Bangkok office at 01.00 pm on the first day of each Retreat.

Transportation from Suvarnabhumi International Airport to Wat Phra Dhammakaya

By Taxi: (recommended)

Take a Meter Taxi Service from the Airport Designated Dispatch Area, direct. Total estimated cost is 600 Baht including Service Charge, plus 80 Baht Express Way toll fee.

By Public Bus: (24 hour service)

Take Bus# 554 from the Airport Bus Terminal. The cost is 35 Baht and is approximately l hour 30 minutes to the Future park Rangsit Department Store. From that point, take a Meter Taxi Service directly to Wat Phra Dhammalaya. The Meter Taxi fee Service directly to Wat Phra Dhammakaya. The Meter Taxi fee is approximately 100 Baht and a 30 minute ride.

By Van Service (4am – 10pm)

Take Van# 554 from the Airport Bus Terminal. The cost is 50 Baht and is approximately 45 minutes to the Future Park Rangsit Department Store. From that point, take a Meter Taxi Service directly to Wat Phra Dhammakaya. The Meter Taxi fee is approximately 100 Bath and a 30 minute ride.

"> Relaxation area

Accommodation

The Middle Way Medtation Retreat provides each Retreat participant with a compact cottage. Each cottage is designed with ample ventilation to ensure that all participants have a good nights’ sleep and feel comfortable meditating in the privacy of their individual cottage.

When the body is comfortable and relaxed, it is easier for the mid to rest and restore its energy as well.

Our Retreat Centre is completely secure so you can tale a walk within the boundary or rest in your cottage worry-free. You can feel safe throughout your stay here as our security guards, staff and volunteers are ready to assist you.

Food and Facilities

The Middle Way Meditation Retreat serves traditional healthy, nutritious Thai food and fresh fruits for buffet, breakfast and lunch. In the evening, balanced light refreshments such as milk, hot chocolate and juice will be provided to help compliment and enhance your meditation experience. Food is mostly non-vegetarian. If you are a vegetarian or have a special dietary requirement related to certain health condition, please tell us at least 10 days in advance prior to your arrival. You can indicate the same, on your application form which is available on the website (www. Meditationthai.org).

exquisiteness

Qualifications

People of all nations, races, and creeds are invited and encouraged to experience our meditation courses. The minimum age requirement is 18.

We request that all participants be in a good state of health and comfortable in rustic surroundings with a genuine desire to learn and practice meditation according to our established programme under the lnstructor’s expert guidance.

All participants are requested to abstain from harming any lives both human and animals, taking belonging of others, sexual contact of all forms, unmindful speech, smoking, and drinking alcohol. This simple code of conduct helps to preserve the peace and harmony of the retreat community and to calm the mind which otherwise can be too agitated for meditation.

abstaining and peace

Guidelines

What To Bring

*Passport

*Personal items and towels

*Personal medication

*Warm clothing and footwear for cold weather (average temperature is 15-20C)

*Loose, modest, and comfortable clothing, preferably in white

*Flashlight with batteries

Please bring necessary personal items for your individual use as trips to the downtown area are not encouraged.

What Not to Bring

*Illegal drugs

*Alcohol and tobacco

*Personal medication

*Candles, incence, or lighters

*pets

*Books or magazines that will cause distraction to you and others

*Computers, MP3 and other electronic equipment

*Jewelry and high-priced decorative items

*Knives, weapons or other dangerous items

Dates and Schedules

The retreat will be conducted on followings dates of this Year 2012
10th – 16th June                7-Day Meditation Retreat #45
23th – 29th September     7-Day Meditation Retreat #46
16th – 22th December       7-Day Meditation Retreat #47

Registration

The Middle Way Meditation Retreat is run by a non-profit organization that promotes world peace through inner peace. Fees are kept to minimum and all the proceeds received will be used to maintain the facilities at the Retreat Centre. Also to keep the courses running so that more people will benefit from The Middle Way meditation and spread peace to their respective families, societies and the world.

The registration fee is 5,500 Thai Baht (approximately US$ 168 or € 112 at time of printing) This fee covers all meals. Accommodation and round-trip coach journey from our Bangkok office to the Retreat Centre.

For students under 25, we offer a special rate which is 3,500 Thai Baht (approximately US$ 107 or € 70 at time of printing) And you need to show your passport for approval. Other discretionary special rate will be considered on a case by case basis. If you think you fall into these categories, please submit your enquiry to [email protected]