Youth Summer Retreat, 26 July - 4 August 2024
YOUTH SUMMER RETREAT
Unbind your Mind
Dates: from 26 July to 4 August, with two short options from 26 to 31 July & from 1 to 4 August
For 18-35 year olds
Join us on this youth retreat as we unravel the knots of our restless, grasping minds so we can discover freedom in our innate spaciousness and clarity.
Our journey begins by settling our minds with meditation, creating space to connect with our non-dual awareness and to investigate what we call "self", "ego", or "me".
In life we operate as if there is a solid, singular and independent "me" in control, driving our actions, analysing our experience and endlessly judging. Yet how often do we actually stop and directly look for this “self”? And what about everything else - the outer world, other people or ideas of beauty or freedom? Are they real, solid and something to ultimately depend on?
Looking a little closer, paying a little more attention, we might start to notice that things are not as they appear… and this could be the key to unbinding our mind. In fact, the Buddhist teachings show that the source of all our pain, anxiety and suffering is the absence of true knowledge of who we really are, together with its result, grasping to a delusory notion of "I" and "mine”, "self and other”.
HOW TO FOLLOW & FINANCIAL HELP
Our retreat has two parts:
- First, we will join the wider International Meditation retreat The Heart of Meditation (with extra youth sessions) from the 26th July evening till the 1st August midday.
- Then we will transition into a more concentrated Youth Retreat exploring emptiness and selflessness from 1st to 4th of August.
While it is possible to attend one part only, we strongly recommend joining for both as they build on and complement each other.
The contributions asked for this Youth Retreat are made especially low in order to make it easier for you to attend. In addition to this, please take advantage of Rigpa’s Study & Practice grants (important reductions on food & accommodation and retreat contributions) OR our usual student discount coupon (only on retreat contribution).
More details about the two parts of the retreat and extra financial help can be found in the FAQs.
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> REGISTRATION
Please register 36 hours before the event at the latestIf you can only come to the first part, please register for the short option of the Heart of the Meditation retreat (choosing 1st August as a departure day since we will have a conclusion session for the first part in the morning).
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> PRACTICAL INFO
START Friday 26 July – 7.30pm
Short option start: Monday 1 August – 7.30pm
ENDSunday 4 August – 8pm
We advise you to stay until the 5th August since we will organise a social gathering outside of Lerab Ling on the evening of the 4th August.CHECK-IN AND PICK-UP BADGES
Friday 26 July: 2pm to 6pm
Saturday 27 July: 9am to 9.45am
For arrivals after 6pm on Friday, please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Short option – Monday 1 August: 2pm to 6pmCONTRIBUTION to the event
Full option – €117
Short option (from 1 to 4 August) – €52
(Does not include accommodation and meals)LANGUAGES
Teachings: EnglishTRANSPORT
Friday 26 July
Montpellier to Lerab Ling - Travel time 2h (30€)
Depart from Montpellier airport at 3.15pm
Depart from Montpellier Sud de France train station at 3.45pm
Depart from Montpellier Saint Roch train station at 4.15pm -
> CAR SHARING
Organise your car sharing:
Full option (26 July - 4 August)
Short option (1-4 August)
HOLDERS OF THE EVENT
The first part on the Heart of Meditation will be guided by the two Rigpa Senior Teachers Ian Ives and María García Quesada and a team of other great teachers and instructors.
For the second part of our retreat, there will be one or several Senior Teachers teaching in the morning and a team of Shyönnus holding other aspects of the program.
WHO IS RIGPÉ SHYÖNNU?
Rigpé Shyönnu is a community of young(-ish) people (between 18-35 years old) who share an interest in Buddhist thought and practice and get together a few times a year to explore our minds. Most of us have a connection to the Rigpa Sangha and we welcome people from all backgrounds. You can read more about Rigpé Shyönnu here.
PROVISIONAL SCHEDULE
Part One (26-31 July):
07.00 - 07.45 meditation session (optional)
07.45 - 09.00 breakfast
09.00 - 12.00 1st main session (with a short break)
12.00 - 12.30 physical exercise
12.30 - 15.00 lunch break
15.00 - 18.00 2nd main session (with a short break)
18.00 - 19.30 dinner break
19.30 - 20.15 evening meditation session
Part Two (1-4 August):
09.15 - 10.00 meditation and physical exercise
10.15 - 12.30 morning session (with a short break)
12.30 - 15.30 lunch break
15.30 - 18.00 afternoon session (with a short break)
18.00 - 19.30 dinner break
20.00 - 21.00 extra sessions on some evenings
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> FINANCIAL SUPPORT
Our commitment is for everyone who wishes to come to Lerab Ling, to have access to our programmes, whatever their financial circumstances. We offer different options for those who are unable to pay the standard contribution.
More info about Lerab Ling financial support for attending our retreats/events.
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> STAY WITH US: ACCOMMODATION & MEALS
You can book your meals and/or onsite accommodation when registering for the retreat/event. For more information on our accommodation and meals click here
Otherwise, there's also accommodations in surrounding villages
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> PREPARE FOR YOUR STAY
Event banner and group photo: © Léo Durand