Mini-Retreat with Community Builders: Meditation guided by Buddhist Monks

We are hosting Tibetan Buddhist Monks from India for June's edition of the monthly mini-retreats open to all who cultivate their communities - or hope to do so. This feeds your renewal, resilience & power from the inside out.

There are 3 main aspects of the day (plus breakfast and lunch), all in the same location. You are invited to take part in one, two or all three, as you wish! Please see the Schedule below for specific times.

• Fire Puja Sand Mandala
• Dharma Lecture: Maintaining Peace in Troubled Times
• Group Guided Meditation: Meditation for Body, Mind and Spirit

This page is for those who would like to learn more or RSVP for the 2:30-4:30pm Group Guided Meditation on this topic:

"Meditation for Body, Speech, Mind and Spirit"

Description:

Body, speech, and mind denote the three essential aspects of human existence vital for purification and training. Meditating on these three aspects creates a holistic approach to mindfulness. We concentrate on the physical actions, verbal expressions, and mental focus necessary for ethical behaviors, spiritual growth and the eventual enlightenment of the spirit.

Free! (Donations accepted, not required.)

• Suggested donation $20. You are also welcome to offer a different amount or no donation at all. No one is turned away for inability to pay the full suggested donation, or to pay anything at all. Tax-deductible donations will be taken at the event by cash, check or credit card. Checks should be made out to Gaden Shartse Cultural Foundation.***

Looking for information on the Sand Mandala, from 11am-5:30pm?

• Please click here. You can come and go throughout the Mandala creation.

Looking for the Dharma Lecture by the Monks, with Questions and Answers, Noon to 2pm, on this topic? (Same day, same place)

"Maintaining Peace in Troubled Times"

• Please be sure to RSVP separately by clicking here, where you can also learn more

RSVP by 5pm Friday June 27 at the latest. Why RSVP?

1. Several previous mini-retreats filled all spaces and had a waiting list, so please RSVP here as soon as you can. Back by popular demand - save your spot!
2. For those who RSVP here, more details will be emailed as we get closer to the date.
3. We want to let you know about any changes (due to weather etc) and we want to have enough food and supplies, without wasting.

If the tickets are full, please look for the button to join the waiting list, and you’ll be notified if a spot opens up. (Everyone was admitted from the previous waiting lists.)

Schedule for Saturday, June 28

9:45am: Doors open

10:00-11:00am: Breakfast and socializing

• Potluck main dishes provided, bring something if you can but please don’t let that keep you away.

11:00-11:45am: Fire Puja Sand Mandala - Opening Ceremony

• To learn more about the Mandala click here. No need to RSVP for Mandala.

11:45am-4:30pm: Fire Puja Sand Mandala creation by the Monks

• Monks take lunch break between 2:00-2:30pm.
• You can come and go for the Mandala creation.
• To learn more about the Mandala click here. No need to RSVP for Mandala.

Noon-2:00pm: Maintaining Peace in Troubled Times

• Dharma Lecture by the Monks, with Questions and Answers
• Please learn more or RSVP separately for the Lecture by clicking here

2:00-2:30pm: Lunch break and socializing

• Potluck main dishes provided, bring something if you can but please don’t let that keep you away.

2:30-4:30pm: Meditation for Body, Speech, Mind and Spirit

• Group Guided Meditation by the Monks
• RSVP for the Group Guided Meditation on this Eventbrite page you are reading now

4:45-5:30pm: Fire Puja Sand Mandala - Closing Ceremony

• To learn more about the Mandala and Closing Ceremony click here. No need to RSVP for Mandala.

Come, recharge for now, and grow practices that keep you fresh for the long run - because our communities have much to do in these challenging times.

• If community builders burn out, then “the way things are” wins.
• So how about putting on your “oxygen mask” to catch your breath?

Who’s it for?

Anyone who's engaged in building up their community or hopes to do so - however you define it, in any setting, paid or unpaid. Such communities can be found in neighborhoods and social movements, classrooms and congregations, teams and clubs, associations and networks, workplaces and beyond.

• We who give so much to others may want to recharge personally or professionally.

No previous experience is needed. No advance preparation either. Come as you are, who you are.

• There are always newcomers. Please invite others to consider it?

All are welcome! This series is convened by Neighborhood Connections & the Neighbor Up Network, known for bringing people together across lines of difference. June 2025 is the 26th monthly edition.

• Each mini-retreat stands alone. And for those who can attend more than one, these build upon each other. So consider learning more, or giving it a try?

Frequently Asked Questions/FAQs:

Please click here for key info on these & other questions.

• What will we do? How will we do it?
• Where, Parking, RTA, Cost/Contributions?
• What to bring or wear?
• Who’s hosting this? Who's guiding this? Who’s sponsoring this?
• Why?
• Any questions or obstacles?

For more information or help with any obstacles, RSVPs or the Wait List, please contact Erika Brown at ebrown@neighborhoodgrants.org or cell (216-313-7263) or Tony Vento at tony.vento@purposematters.org or by cell (216-313-0546).

What are the Monks’ other activities in Northeast Ohio, June 17-30?

• Please click here.

Other Neighbor Up mini-retreats? Please learn more, mark your calendar now or RSVP!

• Saturday, May 31, 11:30am – 4pm (click here for RSVP and more info)
• Friday, July 11, 5:30 – 8:30pm (click here for RSVP and more info)
• Saturday, August 2, 11:30am – 4:30pm (click here for RSVP and more info)
• Saturday, September 13, 11:30am – 4:30pm (click here for RSVP and more info)

What are others saying about their mini-retreat?

It's a time of Abundance... Wonder... Strengthening... Self care (that) isn't selfish... Grace... Growth... (Being) Rooted... Planting & Replanting... Sprouting (Participants words after April 2024 mini-retreat)

Why?

“There is something in every one of you that waits and listens for

the sound of the genuine in yourself.

It is the only true guide you will ever have.

And if you cannot hear it,

you will all of your life

spend your days on the ends of strings

that somebody else pulls.”
― Howard Thurman, former chaplain of Boston U & Howard U, mentor to generations of activists and community builders

*** The Gaden Shartse monastery is a 501c3 nonprofit organization, and all donations are tax-deductible. The monks subsist solely on donations and the kindness of others. 100% of donations received go to the monks' monastery and children's school. The monks will have tax receipts available at the event.

The monks will have Tibetan and Buddhist merchandise available for sale before and after the event, with all the proceeds going to their fundraising efforts. They can accept cash, checks and credit cards (through Square). Checks should be made out to Gaden Shartse Cultural Foundation.