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A Hybrid Weekend Retreat with John Martin
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About this event
Pure Love: Harmonizing the Heart with the Cultivation of the Four Divine Abodes (Beautiful Heart Qualities)
A Hybrid Weekend Retreat with John Martin
As we cultivate the pure love of metta, we connect with our inherent goodness. And, with a foundation of love for ourselves and for all beings, our hearts become like finely tuned instruments. Compassion, joy and equanimity arise naturally and easily in response to the conditions of our lives. We realize our hearts are already pure, and as vast as space itself.
On this weekend retreat, we will cultivate the four beautiful qualities of the heart, what the Buddha described as the divine abodes: Metta (loving kindness), Karuna (compassion), Mudita (appreciative joy) and Upekkha (equanimity). As we open to these beautiful qualities, great wisdom emerges.
The weekend will include guided meditations, walking periods and sharing of the Buddha’s teachings on the divine abodes. Practice tools wills be offered to carry these practices into daily life.
Quotes from John:
“To be fully present is an act of love.”
“Our hearts are vast and limitless. We practice to know this directly and to realize the inherent goodness and peace that are already here.”
“Our hearts are like finely tuned instruments that can hold all of the joys and sorrows of our lives and the world with peace and with love”
John Martin has been devoted to dharma practice since 2001, and has been teaching since 2014. He serves as the Co-Chair of the Spirit Rock Guiding Teachers Council. John teaches Vipassana, Metta and LGBTQI-themed meditation retreats. He is on the teaching team leading the four year Spirit Rock/Insight Meditation Society teacher training program. John’s spiritual path has included volunteer service work, including over 12 years as a hospice volunteer.
When:
Saturday, August 16, 2025, 9:00AM - 4:00PM PDT
Sunday, August 17, 2025, 9:00 AM - 4:00PM PDT
Where:
On Zoom: **An email with a link to the Retreat Home Page will be sent to all registrants the day before the retreat begins. The Retreat Home Page will include the Zoom link and other retreat details.
In-Person: In-person participation will take place at the White Heron Sangha Meditation Center in Avila Village behind the Woodstone Marketplace, near the Bob Jones Trail. Parking is alongside the buildings. Please do not park in front of the Woodstone Marketplace!
Dana: The teachings are offered freely. The retreat registration fee covers retreat expenses; none of the retreat fee goes to the teacher. Details on how to donate to the teacher and to support the White Heron Sangha will be provided at the retreat and will be on the retreat home page. We try to keep our retreat fees at a minimum so that you can be truly generous with your donation to the teacher. Plan on attending both days in order to fully appreciate the teachings.
Registration: You must register online. Use the Register Now link. If you are a member, make sure to log in to the website before registering to get the membership price. Payment can be made by credit card, or you can send a check to White Heron Sangha, PO Box 313, Avila Beach, CA 93424. Pre-registration and payment are required. The registration fee will be refunded in full if notice of cancellation is received at least one week prior to the retreat. Registration closes on Friday, August 15th at noon.
More Information:
For information on attending a retreat at WHS, please read our Retreats webpage.
Tea and light snacks will be provided; please bring a cup. Retreatants will provide their own lunch. Chairs and meditation cushions will be available. You might want to bring a shawl and extra cushions, if you use them. No dogs are allowed in the building except for service dogs.
Location
Hybrid - White Heron Sangha Meditation Center and Zoom
6615 Bay Laurel Pl.
Avila Beach, CA 93424
USA
Registration Info
Registration is required before Friday, August 15, 2025 at 12:00 PM
Payment In Full In Advance Only
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