Opening to the Perfection of Wisdom

As we cultivate the path of awakening, we bring the principles of the Dharma—known as “perfections” (Pāli: pāramī, Skt: pāramitā)—into engagement with all aspects of our life. All Dharma principles are both practices to develop as we train the heart and mind, and ideals that point to the best of who we can be. From the foundational perfection of dāna, inspired giving, through the ethical and meditative perfections, we train to manifest goodness and generosity of spirit in all our relationships.

The crown perfection is the quality of wisdom, which begins with the discipline of investigation, ripens through insight, and matures as transcendent clarity and freedom of heart. The Buddhist tradition known as the Perfection of Wisdom, or Prajñāpāramitā, understood that wisdom is what transforms ordinary humans into Buddhas, and thus recognized Prajñāpāramitā as “The Mother of the Buddhas,” so not just a practice and quality, but a goddess.

We have been exploring the Perfection of Wisdom teachings in the Tuesday evening Satsang, and will bring this thread of practice and inquiry into the fall retreat, our first in-person gathering since the pandemic. This will be a traditional silent retreat, giving ourselves to the practices of meditation, chanting, and Dharma inquiry. We will practice with the beloved short summary text of the Prajñāpāramitā literature known as the Heart of the Teachings on the Perfection of Wisdom, or Heart Sūtra. 

Beginners to these teachings are welcome, though some experience in meditation and mindfulness will be helpful, and all participants are encouraged to explore Dr. Oakes’ recent series of talks on the Perfection of Wisdom (YouTube).

Dates: Nov 13-17, 2024

Location: Mariposa Institute, Ukiah, CA

Timing: The retreat opens with dinner on Wed, Nov 13, at around 5:30pm, and closes with lunch at noon on Sunday, Nov 17.

Lodging is in simple dorms or camping.

Rideshare: If you need a ride or can give one, please use our rideshare sheet to connect with each other, and we’ll try to help folks get rides who need them. Folks in the Bay Area are particularly encouraged to help drive others up to the retreat who may be flying into OAK or SFO.

Covid

Participants will be asked to test themselves for Covid-19 the morning of the retreat, and not come if they have symptoms or get a positive test.

Masking will be optional, and vaccines and boosters are not required.

Pricing

As with all our offerings, the retreat is offered in the practice of gift economy, or dāna, with no one turned away (as best we can). Our break-even cost is $380/person for room and meals. For those with the resources to offer more, we are suggesting $600, which supports others to give less and helps us to offer the retreat as accessibly as possible.

Dāna for Sean is separate from this amount, and you will be invited to offer this at the end of the retreat.

Questions? Write us at admin@seanfeitoakes.com