Join us for a powerful residential mindfulness retreat during which we will explore the deeper understanding of the True Nature of Reality: ALOHA.
Registration
This retreat is a profound, experiential journey that points the way toward living with an awakened mind. Today, we call that being mindful and aware. According to Aunty Pilahi Pakī, Aunty Morrnah Simeona, and Aunty Nana Veary – three of Hawaiʻi’s most beloved and respected wisdom keepers – it’s called living ALOHA.
The ancient form of meditation is arguably the most powerful expression of mindfulness & awareness and has been for over 2,500 years. Shamatha-vipashyana, or mindfulness-awareness meditation, will be our main practice. Shamatha-vipashyana is the basic sitting meditation taught originally by Siddhartha Gautama, the historic Buddha, as given to Dawa Sangpo, the King of Shambhala.
Practicing together as a group creates an atmosphere of courage and wakefulness. This mutual support and inspiration is at the heart of the retreat’s meditative journey.
“Shamatha and vipashyana alone are the iron hook that will lead you to liberation.”
The Lodge
The retreat’s daily schedule begins at 9am and ends around 6pm. Sitting meditation sessions are alternated with walking meditation throughout the day.
There will be Hawaiian cultural and other contemplative arts, talks, discussions, silence, Golden Ball Tai Chi, aimless walking outdoors, and spontaneous arisings. And we will have plenty of time to connect with the energy of Hawaiʻi’s land and with each other.
Three meals are served each day. Lunch will be contemplative and eaten in the meditation hall. After lunch, there is a short work period, when participants have light cleaning of the shared spaces, which are opportunities for mindfulness in action.
Silence or “functional talking” will be practiced at different times. Silence is not regarded as cutting off or isolating ourselves, but as a profound way to open our awareness and senses to ourselves, others, and our world.
Program Includes
- Mindfulness-Awareness Meditation instruction
- Sitting & walking meditation
- Mindful movement – Golden Ball Tai Chi
- Mindfulness through Hula, Hawaiian chanting instruction, and lei making
- Aimless wandering outdoors
- Periods of deep awareness
- Awareness contemplations and exercises
- Talks
- Personal support with a qualified mindfulness coach
- Special topic discussion periods
- Silence practice
Sample Daily Schedule
- 7:00am – Optional greet the morning sun chant
- 8:00am – Breakfast
- 9:00am – Morning Practice Session, Talk & Discussion or Contemplative Activity
- 12:00pm – Contemplative Lunch
- 12:45pm – Work Period
- 1:15pm – Free Time
- 3:00pm – Afternoon Practice Session & Self-Awareness Exploration
- 4:30pm – Tea Break
- 5:00pm – Continued Afternoon Practice Session
- 6:00pm – Dinner
- 7:00pm – Optional Community Gathering
- 9:00pm – End of Program Day
- 10:00pm – Quiet Hours Begin
“I’m so there! Aside from a yearning to be back on the [island], I doubly crave Shambhala style group meditation.”
Details
When
Two residential meditation retreats are being planned for 2025: January or February and July, August or September. Add your name to the waitlist to be informed when they are schedule and to indicate your preference for month of the year.
Questions? – Please contact us directly: kanohoaloha [at] gmail [dot] com
“It’s very helpful to realize that being here, sitting in meditation, doing simple everyday things like working, walking outside, talking with people, bathing, using the toilet, and eating, is actually all that we need to be fully awake, fully alive, fully human. While we are sitting in meditation, we are simply exploring humanity and all of creation in the form of ourselves. We can become the world’s greatest experts on anger, jealousy, and self-deprecation, as well as on joyfulness, clarity, and insight. Everything that human beings feel, we feel. We can become extremely wise and sensitive to all of humanity and the whole universe simply by knowing ourselves, just as we are.”
