We thank Ven. Gavesi, retreat participants and volunteers for making the first meditation retreat held at Wisdom Park, fruitful and beneficial for all involved.

From 2 to 6 June, 37 participants gathered at Wisdom Park for a 5-day Meditation Retreat for beginner meditators, led by Venerable Gavesi.  As physical retreats have become a rare occasion in the past 2 years due to pandemic lockdowns and social distancing, the yogis were grateful for the opportunity to learn, in person, from Ven. Gavesi who was trained in Samatha and Vipassana techniques under several teachers, including the late Sayadaw U Pandita, the late Sayadaw Nyanapurnik, and Ven. Sujiva.

The retreat commenced with yogis receiving clear instructions on how to start Vipassana meditation from Venerable.  They keenly commenced their practice, alternating between sitting and walking meditation to hone their mindfulness for the next 5 days.  Ven. Gavesi continued to provide close guidance and instructions in the evening Dhamma talks as well as group interviews, encouraging them to persist in facing the five hindrances so that they may see for themselves the Dhamma through personal experience.

Ven. Gavesi patiently guiding beginners in how they should start to undertake the walking and sitting meditation, including how they should observe feelings and bodily sensations.

Entailing over 9 hours of meditation every day, participants were diligent in keeping to the schedule whilst observing noble silence.

Yogis watched as bodily sensations arose and fell away, noting these feelings as they are.

Yogis persevering to watch hinderances such as sloth and torpor, restlessness and bodily pain as they hone their mindfulness in the hour-long sitting sessions.

We express our gratitude to Ven. Gavesi for conducting this retreat for beginners so that they may start this wholesome practice with proper understanding.  May the meditators continue diligently on their path, and also take heed of Venerable’s advice to plan for their next retreat in order to better progress their meditation experience. Sadhu!

Yogis were assigned into smaller groups for the interview sessions with Ven. Gavesi, who advised them based on their individual experiences.

On the final day of the retreat, Sis. Nandini led the group to extend our gratitude and seek forgiveness from Ven. Gavesi.

We also thank the small team of volunteers who ensured the retreatants were well taken care. We rejoice in your meritorious deeds.