I’ll be leading a weekend mindfulness meditation retreat in April. This retreat is appropriate for newer and experienced meditators. Here’s the information:

A Weekend of Mindfulness

Spring Renewal Meditation Retreat

Thursday Evening, April 26 through Sunday Noon, April 29

Led by Lisa Ernst

Ten thousand flowers in spring, the moon in autumn,

 A cool breeze in summer, snow in winter.

If your mind isn’t clouded by unnecessary things,

This is the best season of your life.

-Wu-men

Please join us at a beautiful retreat site near Kingston Springs Tennessee for a three day silent mindfulness meditation retreat. The practice of mindfulness brings us into a deep awareness that sees and touches life with an open and unbiased heart. In this weekend of sitting and walking meditation, we will have the opportunity to embrace this time of renewal as we enliven and deepen our practice. We will cultivate continuous inspiration for meeting all aspects of life with greater openness, lovingkindness and compassion.

The retreat will be held at Bethany Hills Retreat Center beginning Thursday at 7 p.m. and ending at noon on Sunday.  Retreat cost is $165 if paid in full by March 23; after March 23, the cost is $190. Full participation for all three days is required. The retreat fee includes lodging and meals. There will be an opportunity at the retreat to make a dana offering (donation) to the teacher. Two sliding scale spots are open for those who need financial assistance. Please make your retreat check to One Dharma Nashville and send to: One Dharma Nashville c/o 12 South Dharma Center, 2301 12^th Avenue S., Suite 202, Nashville, TN 37204. Include your email address. For questions, email onedharmaretreat@gmail.com

Lisa Ernst is the founder and guiding teacher at One Dharma Nashville. She began meditation practice in the late ’80′s in the Zen tradition, studying closely with two Rinzai Zen  Masters and attending numerous mediation retreats. Lisa has also practiced in the Theravada tradition since the late 90’s. In 2005 Lisa was given teaching authorization by Trudy Goodman, founder and guiding teacher of InsightLA. Lisa received full dharma transmission from Trudy in 2010.

Dana: According to the Buddha, generosity, or sharing what we have, is one of the central pillars of a spiritual life. In the act of giving we develop our ability to let go, cultivate a spirit of caring, and acknowledge the inter-connectedness that we all share. It is the practice of dana that has kept the Buddhist tradition alive for more than 2,500 years.