April 2014. Pian dei Ciliegi offers the precious chance for an intensive Vipassana meditation retreat according to the tradition of Mahasi Sayadaw. This year we have the privilege an honour of having with us Ven. Vivekananda, eminent scholar of the Dhamma, abbot of the Panditarama International Meditation Centre in Lumbini (Nepal), and disciple of Sayadaw U-Pandita. He will guide the first period of the retreat (April 7 – 16), and will be followed by two qualified lay Dhamma teachers:Hannes Huber (April 16 – 24) Beate Gloeckner (April 24 – May 4),whom many of you have met and appreciated for their ability to integrate ancient Bhuddist teachings with the more modern approaches of western thinking.Partial participation in the retreat is possible, but you can only join on the first day of each period, that is from 2 to 5 p.m. on April 7, 16 and 24.We warmly encourage you to take this rare and valuable opportunity to deepen your practice or, if you’re new to meditation, to embark on your spiritual path from a solid and clear basis.
With Metta, Pian dei Ciliegi staff
Ven. Vivekananda is the resident teacher of Panditarama Lumbini International Meditation Centre in Nepal. He has trained under the Ven. Sayadaw U Panditabhivamsa since 1988 and has been teaching Vipassana in the Mahasi tradition and Loving kindness meditation at his center in Lumbini as well as abroad since 1998. With his profound knowledge of the Dhamma and his enthusiastic manner, yogis feel inspired and encouraged to progress in their practice. Hannes Huber, is an experienced teacher who has practiced Vipassana Meditation since 1985. His teachers include Godwin Samararatne from Sri Lanka, and Sayadaw U Pandita from Burma, who authorized him to give teachings. He has a training in Psychosynthesis with Sascha Dönges, Switzerland. He teaches Vipassana Meditation in Austria and other European countries, and is an MBSR trainer.Beate Gloeckner is a German teacher who started her meditation practice in 1986 and has a long experience of retreats in the Mahasi tradition under the guidance of Ven. U-Pandita and Ven. U-Vivekananda, who authorized her to give teachings. Thanks to her training as a psychotherapist, she belongs to that new generation of teachers that can pass on ancient teachings in such a way that western yogis will still find them meaningful for their lives.