LIFTING THE GAZE RETREAT
led by
Cyndi Lee
November 1-5, 2023
and held at
Upaya Zen Center
Santa Fe, New Mexico
Meditating alone is how practice starts.
Connecting with each other is how practice lives.
Lifting the Gaze is a way of expanding our practice, letting in the sounds and sights of the world. It is also a way of expanding our scope of practice; knowing that when we see each other, when we practice together, we begin to create the world we want.
SCHEDULE:
Wednesday
4-5 Check-in
5:30-6:30 Dharma Talk and Practice in the Zendo
6:30-7:30 Dinner in River House
7:45-9 Group gathering, intros, orientation, and restorative yoga
Thursday-Friday
8:20 Breakfast
10-12:30 Morning Session in Way of the Circle Temple: Dharma Talk, Meditation, Discussions, Contemplative Journaling
1:00-1:45 Lunch in River House
1:45-2:30 Rest
2:30-5:00 Afternoon Session: Dharma Talk, Walking Meditation (outdoors weather permitting), Discussions, Somatic Meditation,ie, Pranayama, Sustainable Yoga
5-6:30 Break
5:30-6:30 Meditation with Upaya Zen residents (optional)?
6:30-7:30 Dinner in River House
7:45 Evening session - Film: Cave in the Snow or Monk with a Camera
Saturday schedule is same as Friday except we will go out to dinner in Santa Fe.
Sunday morning is the same.
Retreat ends AFTER lunch on Sunday.
COST: $1,895.00
Cost includes retreat from Wednesday at 4pm - Sunday after lunch.
Meals, Accommodations, and one dinner off-campus.
A 30 minute private meditation interview with Cyndi.
TO HOLD YOUR SPOT PAY A $500 NON-REFUNDABLE DEPOSIT.
Balance will be due September 1. You will receive an email with a paypal button for your balance.
ACCOMMODATIONS:
The retreat cost includes meals, accommodations and the program. The Upaya “dorm” rooms are very charming and comfortable. Not rustic. They generally have 2 beds per room. Bathrooms are shared with one other room with sinks in the bedrooms. Private rooms are limited, but If you want to upgrade to a private room, let me know and I will connect you with the Upaya registrar.
MEALS:
Upaya Zen Center is famous for offering super delicious and nutritious meals - all vegetarian and gluten-free.
This retreat includes:
dinner on Wednesday
breakfast, lunch and dinner on Thursday and Friday
breakfast and lunch on Saturday
breakfast and lunch on Sunday
WE ARE GOING OUT TO A NEW MEXICAN DINNER IN SANTA FE ON SATURDAY (PRICE INCLUDED IN RETREAT COST).
LOCATION: Upaya Zen Center is a Buddhist monastery on the edge of the Cerro Gorro Mountains. It was founded by Roshi Joan Halifax over 25 years ago. Upaya hosts many programs by a wide range of dharma teachers and has been a leader in engaged Buddhist study and practice. This is where I took my Zen Chaplaincy training and was ordained as a chaplain. It is a very special place, wild and tame at the same time.
WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT BEING IN SANTA FE:
Santa Fe is in the high desert, 7500 ft up, located between two mountain ranges. Everyone has a different response to the altitude. It might be no big deal for you or you might feel winded. Some people get a headache. It is worth it to relate to the attitude with care.
Tried-and-true ways to prepare for being at this altitude:
start drinking at least 10 glasses of water/day for a week ahead of your arrival
buy some chorophyll and put it in your water
try to get a good night’s sleep every night for a week ahead of your arrival
arrive in Santa Fe one or even two days before the retreat begins so you can get acclimated
bring some tylenol in case you get a headache
bring a water bottle
The weather is different every year! It might not be all that cold in the daytime but much colder in the evening so bring layers.
And don’t worry, if you forget anything, I will help you find what you need! We will be at a retreat center that is beautifully contained and still only a few minutes from the center of town.
TRAVEL OPTIONS:
AIRLINE INFO: Albuquerque (ABQ) is an hour south of Santa Fe. Some airlines fly direct to ABQ, but generally you will need to change planes in Denver, Dallas or Phoenix. A few airlines fly into Santa Fe airport but those are mostly West Coast airlines.
Fly to Albuquerque and take Groome Shuttle to Santa Fe. The shuttle will take you directly to Upaya Zen Center. You will need to make a reservation on the shuttle
Fly to Albuquerque. Rent a car and drive an hour to arrive in Santa Fe.
Fly to Albuquerque. Make a plan ahead of time with some of your fellow retreatants to meet at ABQ and carpool to Santa Fe together.
Fly to Santa Fe airport. You can uber trom there to Upaya Zen Center.