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Sunday 27 January 2019

  • A Vipassana Retreat: The search for truth

    Teacher: Jonathan Preboy and Anna Scharfenberg
    Cost: 4 days' accommodation + R450 surcharge
    Dates:

    jonathan-preboyanna-scharfenberg

    "You may find that the cell is an ideal place to learn to know yourself, to search realistically and regularly the processes of your own mind and feelings ... it gives you the opportunity to look daily into your entire conduct to overcome the bad and develop whatever is good in you. Never forget that a saint is a sinner who keeps on trying.”

    - Nelson Mandela - Mandela The Authorised Biography by Anthony Sampson

    Vipassana (insight) meditation uses mindfulness to search for the mental and emotional patterns that cause all humans to suffer. The aim is to learn how to overcome suffering and to be fully alive. This four-day retreat is an opportunity to deepen meditation practice using the traditional Buddhist method of Mahasi Sayadaw and Achan Tong. Meditators are encouraged to stay for the entire course but you may also stay for a shorter time and beginners are welcome to learn how to start Vipassana meditation. Mindfulness is developed by regular walking and sitting practice (both in the meditation hall and outside in the forest), by maintaining awareness during normal activities such as eating, showering, dressing etc. and supported by daily interviews with the teachers. The retreat will be held in an atmosphere of Noble silence.

     Sustain awareness at every moment in every posture, whether standing, walking, sitting or lying down. This is the way to establish mindfulness in the heart- Ajahn Chah

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    Jonathan Preboy worked as clinical psychologist in Durban before starting Vipassana meditation in 2002.  He practiced and trained as a teacher with Ajahn Tong. Ajahn Tong is Abbot of Wat Chom Tong and is widely regarded as the greatest living teacher in Thailand. Since 2012, he has taught with his wife in Thailand, Mexico, Italy, Spain, and South Africa. For the last 2 years they have been teaching and managing the Tisarana Vipassananusorn Meditation Center, Prague (www.tisarana.cz).

    Anna Scharfenberg began practicing Vipassana in 2005 and worked at meditation centers in Europe. She practiced and trained as a teacher with Ajahn Tong. Ajahn Tong is Abbot of Wat Chom Tong and is widely regarded as the greatest living teacher in Thailand. Since 2012, she has taught with her husband in Thailand, Mexico, Italy, Spain, and South Africa. In 2013 they started teaching meditation together in the Czech Republic and are currently teaching and managing the Tisarana Vipassananusorn Meditation Center Prague (www.tisarana.cz).

  • Mindfulness - Always Available, Everywhere: A Vipassana retreat

    Teacher: Jonathan Preboy and Anna Scharfenberg
    Cost: 2 days' accommodation + R250 surcharge
    Dates:

    anna scharfenbergjonathan preboyThoughts are about what is not happening - Paul Hedderman

    Vipassana (Insight) meditation is based on Mindfulness, which is always available, everywhere, without limits or cost. The challenge is how to realise it. The answer was provided by the Buddha more than 2500 years ago. He taught the method of Vipassana meditation as a way to cultivate Mindfulness. This retreat is an invitation for beginner and experienced meditators to practise Vipassana using the traditional Buddhist method of Mahasi Sayadaw and Achan Tong. For beginners it is a good technique to start with and for experienced meditators, it is a way to deepen their Insight. In this retreat, Mindfulness is developed by regular walking and sitting, and by maintaining awareness during normal activities, such as eating, showering, dressing etc, and by daily interviews with a teacher. The weekend will be held in an atmosphere of Noble Silence.

    Sustain awareness at every moment in every posture, whether standing, walking, sitting or lying down. This is the way to establish mindfulness in the heart. - Ajahn Chah

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    Jonathan Preboy and Anna Scharfenberg trained in Vipassana meditation under the great Thai Vipassana master, Achan Tong. Jonathan was formerly a clinical psychologist in private practice in Durban. Anna was involved in  managing and organising Vipassana meditation retreats in Belgium and at Dhammacari Vipassana Meditation Centre in Germany. They taught together at Wat Chom Tong Meditation Centre in Thailand, and in Mexico, Italy, Spain and at the BRC and Dharmagiri. They are based at the Tisarana Vipassananurson Meditation Centre in Prague.