Oct 28 – Nov 2, 2009

with Rabbis Joanna Katz and Jeff Roth

non-residential retreat in Xalapa, Veracruz, México
Hosted by Espacio Zen Montaña Despierta

Join us for an exploration of what it means to become an awakened human being. Mindfulness meditation is an invaluable tool in seeing directly the workings of one’s own mind. As a practice, mindfulness meditation opens up doors into making our own religious practices more meaningful. In this retreat we will use aspects of Jewish tradition, demonstrating the value of bringing mindfulness to all parts of our lives. With the tools of meditation we can begin to change the course of our lives, cultivating wisdom and compassion and transforming more of our actions into expressions of loving-kindness.

One of the primary vehicles supporting the practice of seeing clearly is silence. The retreat will be conducted in the space of social silence during formal practice periods, meals and when walking or spending time in our rooms. There will be ample instructions given by the teachers in all aspects of the practice. We will teach sitting, walking and eating meditation as well as use some contemplative chanting or prayers. There will be question and answer sessions to allow to ask for clarifications about the teachings or how to use them in personal experience. In addition, the teachers will arrange for private sessions with each student to explore this experience in more depth.

We will use aspects of Sabbath practice to enrich the retreat experience. The Sabbath is a day in the Jewish week where we practice “being” rather than “becoming”, when we are invited to let go of trying to control our world and shift our attention to appreciating the world. The Sabbath can be a practice of letting go that increases our happiness and our observance of the day will be a joyous one.

In order to foster intimacy the size of the retreat will be limited to 20 people. Please make a reservation.

Suggested donation: $250 US Dollars per person. The meals will be included. The teachings are offered freely. Donations will be requested to support the teacher and this model of charging only the actual costs to participants. Nobody will be rejected because of economic reasons.

Further information with Sergio Stern at the following telephone number in Mexico 52-228-8183069 or at sstern@prodigy.net.mx

Rabbis Jeff Roth and Joanna Katz are co-founders of the Elat Chayyim Jewish Retreat Center, where they served as directors during 13 years. Both are experienced meditators and between them they have facilitated more than 100 Jewish meditation retreats. In addition, Jeff is founder and director of The Awakened Heart Project for Contemplative Judaism.