Community Meditation Retreat: A Weekend of Practice - St. Paul, MN, USA

“Don’t forget to make space in your life to recognize the richness of your basic nature, to see the purity of your being and let its innate qualities of love, compassion, and wisdom naturally emerge.” — Mingyur Rinpoche, in a letter to his students upon entering his wandering retreat

About the program

Ter is a Tibetan word for “treasure,” referring to the wisdom and methods to actualize our greatest potential, while gar means “gathering.” Tergar, then, can be understood as a place where people come together on the path to discover their true nature. In this spirit, this residential retreat will serve as a gathering place in which we can cultivate the love, compassion, and wisdom inherent within each of us — while supported by the collective intentions and aspirations of the community and daily teachings with our guiding teacher, Mingyur Rinpoche.

本次活动将以英语进行，并提供中文翻译。(This event will be offered in English with Chinese translation.)

Why should I attend?

This event is the perfect opportunity for beginners and seasoned practitioners alike to practice extensively directly under Rinpoche’s guidance and to boost their confidence to enter a retreat. The event will also include two group discussions with Senior Tergar Instructors Edwin Kelley and Myoshin Kelley, one for Joy of Living and one for Path of Liberation.

What will I learn?

In this program, you will learn:

• how awareness, compassion, and wisdom are crucial for flourishing and helping others flourish in life
• how retreat can help you explore your practice in depth
• how to plan and prepare for a personal retreat

What is included in this program?

• 4.5 hours of teachings and Q&A with Mingyur Rinpoche
• 9.5–10.5 hours of personal practice periods (unguided)
• Group discussion and Q&A with Senior Tergar Instructors Edwin Kelley and Myoshin Kelley for both Joy of Living and Path of Liberation students
• A period of silence
• Please note: Everyone is encouraged to practice in our shared space during practice periods. This is a precious opportunity for us to practice together in person as one community, regardless of practice background. We ask that you please refrain from talking, chanting aloud, or doing prostrations or any other elements of the practice that could be disruptive to the collective whole. Thank you for your understanding.

Requirements for participation

This program is open to everyone.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION (Please read before registering.)

Location and Accommodation:

University of St. Thomas - James B. Wolfe Alumni Hall (Anderson Student Center)

2115 Summit Avenue

Saint Paul, Minnesota, 55105

The University of St. Thomas is situated in Saint Paul about halfway between downtown Minneapolis and downtown Saint Paul, just a few blocks from the Mississippi River. The closest major airport is Minneapolis/Saint Paul International (MSP) – 7 miles or a 20-minute taxi drive away.

Complimentary parking is available at the Morrison Parking Ramp, a short walk from Anderson Student Center. You can view a map of the campus here.

Accommodation will be offered at the University of St. Thomas student residence. There are five different room options. All options include 2 nights of accommodations. No accommodations are available before or after the event dates. We are also offering a commuter rate for those who are not staying on campus.

Program Fee for Commuters:

You will have the option to choose from 3 prices when paying for your event ticket. Meals are included in the program fee. We are not able to offer a rate without meals.

• Sponsor fee: $450 per person. (This level allows us to offer a reduced price level for those on limited incomes)
• Base fee : $320 per person
• Reduced fee: $250 per person (For those on a limited income)

Program Fee plus Accommodation:

In addition to your event ticket, you will have the option of reserving an accommodation as an add-on. Please select your desired accommodation before paying for your ticket.

For your convenience we have calculated the costs below using the "Base fee." Actual prices will vary at checkout if you have chosen a different price point. Meals are included in the program fee. We are not able to offer a rate without meals.

• Program Base Fee of $320 plus Single Room in Apartment @$154 = $474 per person ; Apartment with four single rooms with shared kitchen, living area and two shared bathrooms. Includes air-conditioning.
• Program Base Fee of $320 plus Single Dormitory Room (with air-conditioning) @$106 = $426 per person; Traditional style dormitory rooms. Shared common rooms and bathrooms are located in each corridor.
• Program Base Fee of $320 plus Single Dormitory Room (NO air-conditioning) @$88 = $408 per person; Traditional style dormitory rooms. Shared common rooms and bathrooms are located in each corridor.
• Program Base Fee of $320 plus Double Shared Dormitory Room (with air-conditioning )@$88 = $408 per person; Traditional style dormitory rooms. Shared common rooms and bathrooms are located in each corridor.
• Program Base Fee of $320 plus Double Shared Dormitory Room (NO air-conditioning )@$66 = $386 per person; Traditional style dormitory rooms. Shared common rooms and bathrooms are located in each corridor.

You will have the option of reserving this accommodation, as an optional add-on, when paying for your event ticket.

Ticket prices and discounts:

Tergar is a non-profit organization committed to making the benefits of meditation available to everyone. You will have the option to choose a reduced fee during registration. If the fees are a deterrent, please contact EventSupport@tergar.org for a discount off of the reduced fee or to inquire about other options.

If you questions about the location, transportation and accommodations, need special seating or have other requirements, please contact eventsupport@tergar.org

Food:

Three vegetarian meals will be served each day in a cafeteria that also offers non-vegetarian food. While the kitchen at the University of St. Thomas is not able to cater to special dietary needs, vegan protein and gluten-free options will be available.

What's the refund policy?

• All cancellations up to May 8 will be charged a fee of $25. For any cancellations between May 9 and May 30, the fee is $100. After May 30, cancellations are subject to full penalty.
• If you need to cancel because of illness, we will provide a full refund. Contact EventSupport@tergar.org for details.
• Please contact EventSupport@tergar.org for any changes or cancellations.

Schedule:

Check in for retreat begins at 3:00 p.m. on June 16. Dinner is at 6:00 p.m., and the first teaching is at 7:30 p.m. The retreat will conclude by noon on June 18, with an optional lunch at noon. In order to attend the retreat, you will need to arrive no later than the opening day. It will not be possible to start your retreat later in the program.

We will need to scan your ticket at check-in. You can either print the PDF ticket attached to your confirmation email or you can also download the EventBrite App on your smartphone and show your e-ticket at the door.

Other Events with Mingyur Rinpoche in St. Paul:

Mingyur Rinpoche will also be offering a public talk and 2 other retreats in June:

• Leading with Compassion and Wisdom Workshop, June 2-3. Click here for more information.
• Beyond Mindfulness: The Essence of Meditation on Friday, June 9. Click here for more information.
• Path of Liberation Levels 1 &2, June 10-16. Click here for more information.

Biographies:

Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche: In his approach to teaching meditation, Mingyur Rinpoche integrates traditional Buddhist practice and philosophy with the current scientific understanding of the mind and mental health – making the practice of meditation relevant and accessible to students around the world. For further information check here.

Myoshin Kelley: Myoshin Kelley attended her first meditation retreat in 1975. Through the ensuing years she has received dharma instructions from several renowned Buddhist meditation masters in the Theravada, Zen, and Vajrayana traditions. In 2003, she was appointed the teacher in residence at the Forest Refuge, the long-term practice center at the Insight Meditation Society in Massachusetts. Myoshin was introduced to Vajrayana teachings in 1993 and met Mingyur Rinpoche in 1998 when he first visited the US with his brother, Tsoknyi Rinpoche. Since then she has practiced with Mingyur Rinpoche in North America and Asia benefiting from his skillful, lucid instructions on the profound teachings of Mahamudra.

Edwin Kelley: Edwin Kelley first became interested in Buddhism in 1975 when he attended a meditation retreat near Perth, Australia. He later pursued a career as a public accountant and in 1992 went to Burma to undertake a six-month period of intensive retreat with the renowned meditation master Chanmyay Sayadaw. While practicing in Burma he ordained temporarily as a Theravada Buddhist monk. In 1994 he was hired as Director of Operations by one of America’s best known meditation retreat centers, the Insight Meditation Society (IMS), in Barre, MA. Eighteen months later he was appointed Executive Director of IMS and served in that capacity until 2003 when he resigned to pursue further long-term intensive meditation practice. Edwin first encountered Vajrayana Buddhism in Dharamsala, India in 1993 and became a student of Mingyur Rinpoche in 1998. He has a post graduate diploma in Buddhist Studies from the University of Sunderland in the UK.