Bodhisattvas: Great Beings Guiding our Path

Bodhisattvas: Great Beings Guiding our Path

In this retreat we will support our practice of mindfulness, deepen our understanding of the dharma, and cultivate the virtues of bodhisattvas. Terry Cortés-Vega, an inspiring dharma teacher ordained by Thich Nhat Hanh, will share key teachings and mindfulness practices throughout the retreat, which will also feature sustained periods of sitting meditation, walking meditation, noble silence, mindful eating, and heart-centered dharma discussions with fellow practitioners across Utah’s wider sangha community. Terry will be joined again this year by Brian Kimmel, a Seattle-based musician and songwriter who will enrich our retreat with singing and chanting.

About the teacher

Terry Cortés-Vega began her training  in mindfulness in 1998 with Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh, and in 2012 she  was ordained as a Dharma Teacher in his Order of Interbeing. She  explains the Dharma by sharing her own experiences and insights at  public talks, days of mindfulness, and meditation and mindfulness  retreats.

She has taught in Florida, Idaho, Louisiana, Mexico, Montana, Nebraska,  New Mexico, Ohio and Texas. Occasionally, she gives online Dharma talks to Sanghas from Canada to Mexico and from Pittsburgh to Boise. Terry has been described as an “insightful, heartfelt and creative” teacher of the Dharma whose talks are “humorous and relatable, simple yet  profound.”

Terry is happily married to  Gustavo Cortés-Vega. They live in the country with their old goat Lola,  some horses, chickens, too many cats, a fat polka-dot pig, and various  wild critters. They have children and grandchildren in Texas and Mexico.

More information about Terry

Retreat Format 

This  residential retreat is designed for both beginning and experienced  practitioners. It will center on periods of sitting and walking  meditation and Dharma talks by our teacher. There will be small-group Dharma discussions, meal meditations,  and active, mindful work  practice. Periods of silence will deepen and enrich the experience by allowing time for personal reflection.

Location  

A beautiful authentic log cabin sitting on 2 acres with charming spots to sit and relax in Eden, Utah. It is approximately 4,300 square feet with 3 levels, comfortably sleeping 24 with 7 king size beds, 2 sofa beds and 3 bunk beds. There are wrap around porches all around the cabin that all but 3 bedrooms have access to. The cabin has a large circle driveway with plenty of parking.

The main floor has a washer, dryer, and a bathroom with a shower. Each bathroom has shampoo, conditioner and  body wash along with plenty of towels.

Accommodations and Cost

Your registration cost includes your lodging and all meals from Friday dinner through Sunday breakfast. Registration fees vary based on type of room selected and are calculated per bed, not per room. If you plan on sharing a bed please list the other person's name and email address on the registration page. 

Room requests will be filled on a first come, first served basis. 

The upper level has 5 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms.

• Bedroom 1: King Bed 
• Bedroom 2: King Bed
• Bedroom 3: King Bed
• Bedroom 4: King Bed
• Bedroom 5: 2 King Beds and attached bathroom 

The basement has 2 bedrooms and a bathroom.

• Bedroom 6: 1 King bed & 1 sofa bed with a door to a shared bathroom
• Bedroom 7: 3 bunk beds & 1 sofa bed

Note about Bedroom 6: This bedroom is a shared female only room with a door to a shared bathroom.

Note about Bedroom 7: This bedroom is a male/female dorm style room.

• Camping / Sleeping Bag (indoor) Option

Note about Camping / Sleeping Bag (indoor) Option: This is for sleeping in your own provided tent or for common area (main floor living room) sleeping in your own provided sleeping bag. Each participant sleeping in a tent will need to register separately, even if sharing the same tent. There is a shared full bathroom with shower on the main floor. Guests must provide their own tents and sleeping bags.

​Meals

Vegetarian meals are included in the price of the retreat beginning with dinner Friday evening. We regret that we are unable to fill special dietary requests.

Dana 

The Buddhist teachings are considered priceless, and teachers do not charge  for their services.  Dana is the practice of giving. It manifests the  fundamental interconnectedness of life and is a way for us to support  the life and work of the teacher.  There will be an opportunity to make a  donation to Terry either with your registration or at the retreat.  For normally employed people, $25 per day or $75 for the retreat is suggested and can be paid online during registration, or at the retreat.

Arrival/Departure 

Check-in will be from 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM on Friday, November 15th. The retreat will end at 11:00am on Sunday, Novemver 17th.

Scholarships 

Partial scholarships may be available and are based on registration donations. Consider donating to the scholarship fund if you are able.  For those needing financial support, ask your local community/sangha first. To apply for funding from retreat donations contact info@awakeningvalleysangha.org for an application or apply online here. When applications are approved, you will be notified and given a scholarship recipient code you can use for registration. The scholarship application deadline is November 4th.

For retreat-related questions, contact info@awakeningvalleysangha.org