Living with a Smile: Nine Day Vipassana Meditation

Grahame White has been involved in Buddhist meditation practice for over 40 years. He began his study in England in 1969 before being ordained as a Buddhist monk for one year in BodhGaya, India in 1971. He took a primary role in the establishment of Vipassana meditation in the tradition of Mahasi Sayadaw in Australia and co-founded the Blue Mountains Insight Meditation Center outside Sydney. Now, Grahame leads introductory and day long courses in Sydney and regularly teaches longer intensive retreats in the US. Grahame has been leading and co-teaching retreats with Sayadw U Lakkhana, Steven Smith and Michele McDonald, as well as helping to guide the Hawai’i sangha in its ongoing practice. He has also helped pioneer a workshop format that enhances the transfer of mindfulness from the formal sitting practice into daily life. Grahame returns to Myanmar (Burma) each year in order to deepen his practice and study of the Buddha’s teachings and at times assist in the teaching of Vipassana retreats for foreigners. Grahame teaches a classical tradition of insight meditation with a relaxed, accessible style.

The practise Sarah Hegarty Davis shares is inspired by her studies with her teacher Rosella Baroncini, (a student of Vanda Scaravelli), and the practise of mindfulness. In essence, we are simply paying attention to the sensations in the body during movement - whether it is the movement of the breath or the movement of the body,- in a relaxed, attentive, kind way. The practise is one of simple movements and poses, attention to natural breathing, and developing a deep, kind embodied presence - so that the practise is a seamless element with the rest of the retreat and offers greater embodiment throughout your daily practise. It is suitable and adaptable for all.

The retreat will be hosted by Palolo Zen Center, which offers simple, dormitory accommodations in a green, natural setting. Options for the retreat are residential and non-residential. Single rooms are not available. NO Weekend-only participation is offered. Space is limited. Register now. 

Teacher dana - In accordance with tradition, all Vipassana Hawai’i internationally respected teachers offer their guidance and teachings free of charge and are supported through the freely-offered generosity of students and supporters. Costs associated with retreats cover the expenses associated with food, lodging, and administration but not teacher time, training, effort, or energy. We believe that this commitment helps keep the purity of the teachings alive and thriving, as it has for millennia. They do not collect salaries in keeping with the time-honored tradition of sharing openly the chance for peace. This allows us to pass on our direct facility costs and keep our registration fees as low as possible. As a result we strive to give back in monetary gratitude so that they may continue their endeavors and share their wisdom. 

Please note our Cancellation Policy:
If you cancel more than 45 days prior to the retreat: We will refund all fees less $50.00.
If you cancel 10-44 days prior to the retreat: We will refund all fees less $100.00.
If you cancel less than 10 days prior to the event: Last-minute cancellations are costly and sometimes mean that others cannot attend the retreat. Unfortunately we cannot afford to offer a refund.