10-Day Natural Samādhi Retreat
June 2-13, 2024
10-Day Natural Samādhi Retreat
With Bhante Ānanda
June 2nd to 13th
Natural Samādhi is the original teaching of the Buddha on how to develop mental collectedness (Samādhi), by way of uplifting the mind and relaxing bodily tension. This is what the Buddha called wise practice (Right effort). Learning to use the vehicle of Calm and Clarity (Samatha-Vipassanā), meditators deepen in their experience of a happy and composed mind, and drink deep, the bliss of the higher mind (Adhicitta).
For a mind well trained in this timeless wisdom and free from the five mental obstructions, there is no need to wish for happiness, since happiness pervades every moment of existence. The collected mind is happy, and a happy mind is collected (Sukhino cittaṃ samādhiyati).
Developing awareness of Loving-Kindness to Nibbāna, using right effort (6Rs). In the spirit of Tranquil Wisdom Insight Meditation (TWIM) taught by Most Ven. Bhante Vimalaramsi, Bhante Ānanda’s teacher.
Retreat Experience
“Tierramor is an invitation and a meeting point for all those ready to build the world our hearts know is possible.”
A center for consciousness, the project will include:
- A Temple for the discovery of yoga, tantra, dance, and silent retreats.
- A large retreat center with glamping, eco-luxe accommodation, and communal spaces.
- A permaculture research center (Post-Scarcity Institute).
- Long-term community housing and governance.
About the Teacher
Bhante Ānanda
Bhante Ānanda is a Canadian Buddhist monk trained in the teachings and the monastic way of life of early Buddhism. In 2018, after practicing and learning from a vast spectrum of different spiritual practices including Hinduism, Hatha yoga, traditional Native American wisdom, Ayurveda, Traditional Chinese Medicine, Vipassanā meditation and much more, Bhante Ānanda discovered the Teachings of Bhante Vimalaramsi.
Bhante Ānanda is a Canadian Buddhist monk trained in the teachings and the monastic way of life of early Buddhism. In 2018, after practicing and learning from a vast spectrum of different spiritual practices including Hinduism, Hatha yoga, traditional Native American wisdom, Ayurveda, Traditional Chinese Medicine, Vipassanā meditation and much more, Bhante Ānanda discovered the Teachings of Bhante Vimalaramsi.
Highly impressed with his meditation technique and his wisdom, he decided to go forth (Pabbaja) at his center, Dhamma Sukha Meditation Centre (DSMC) in Missouri, and spent a whole summer in the presence of Bhante Vimalaramsi. During his stay at DSMC, he had the opportunity to attend closely on his teacher and to sit on meditators’ interviews by Bhante Vimalaramsi’s side for the whole summer, directly learning from him for several months. At the end of the summer, Bhante Vimalaramsi gave Bhante Ānanda his permission to teach, before he left for Canada. Bhante Ānanda then moved to Canada as a solitary forest monk and founded the HeartDhamma community and the Heartwood Hermitage.
Since then, Bhante Ānanda has been teaching many meditation retreats around the globe, whether in Canada, Sri Lanka, India and even online. He received higher ordination in Sri Lanka, at a forest monastery near Balangoda. Bhante shares his time between Canada and Asia, helping many in their meditation practice, teaching retreats, studying and translating the suttas from Pāli to contemporary English while dedicatedly attending to his own practice.
Retreat Overview
Orientation:
The retreat welcomes you with a grounding orientation, along with beginning Loving-Kindness (Mettā) meditation instructions on the first day, as well as how to use the 6Rs.
Morning Routine:
Waking up early to make the most of the day, meditators gather in the meditation hall every morning to freshen their minds with renewing their virtue and remembering the highest refuges, and letting their minds soak in a few short essential sayings of the Buddha.
Meditation Periods:
Meditation periods are flexible and alternate between sitting and walking meditation, as per everyone’s level. There are mainly two blocks dedicated for meditation, which allows advance meditators to sit for longer periods of time, without being disturbed and insures that those who begin on this path, have the freedom to follow their own needs, under the guidance of the teacher.
Daily Interviews:
Participants will receive personal guidance from the teacher, on meditators’ interviews. This ensures that each participant’s meditation is carefully nurtured by insightful advice and ensures good, steady progress. Since this meditation changes and evolves constantly, close monitoring is necessary and new meditation instructions are usually given during these personal interviews.
Food:
Breakfast is served early and lunch is taken before noon to allow an optimal diet for meditation, following the Buddha’s advice. Tea is available in the afternoon and no evening meal is served in order for meditators to enjoy lightness and strength in their meditation. An exception is made for participants with a medical condition who require an evening meal.
Evening Discourse:
Every evening at 7 pm, all meditators gather in the hall of a discourse on the Buddha’s teaching (Dhamma). The talks are framed around the original discourses of the Buddha (Suttas). Themes vary and include practical, down to earth meditation instructions, methods to let go of mental distractions, the development of the Buddha’s wisdom, the cultivation of wholesome, skillful mental states and so forth… Meditators will get to hear various suttas complimented with anecdotes, real life stories, relevant and inspiring poems along with a certain dose of good humor.
Rest and Sleep:
Bedtime is at 10 pm. Rest during the day is recommended, especially in the beginning, to ease the transition from the busy house life, to the purely meditative lifestyle of retreat. Feeling rested is essential in this practice.
05:30 am – Wake up
06:00 am – Refuges, Virtues and Meditation
07:30 am – Breakfast
08:00 am – Meditation
09:00 am – Personal Interviews
11:00 am – Lunch
01:00 pm – Meditation and interviews
05:00 pm – Tea
07:00 pm – Discourse
08:30 pm – Meditation
10:00 pm – Sleep or Personal Meditation
At lunch, Bhante Ānanda comes for alms in the dining area. Participants may get a chance to practice their generosity and offer food in his bowl and receive well-wishes.
Price
On a Donation Basis /// The Dhamma is priceless /// There is no fixed price.
Retreats organized by HeartDhamma are sponsored by the generosity of old students who have benefited from these retreats in the past and faithful donors who genuinely wish to see the teaching of the Buddha on mental development and meditation help as many as possible. Participants are invited to practice their generosity in order to make these retreats possible to all in the future! Without your support, these retreats cannot exist!
On retreat, meditators are expected to follow instructions precisely and practice sitting meditation for a minimum of 7 hours everyday, without any other activities than meditation, as taught by the teacher.
Please book a retreat only if you are certain to fulfill these conditions and are certain to attend. Those who do not follow these criteria will be asked to leave. This is not a free vacation. Please respect the donations of those who have truly benefited in the past and practice wholeheartedly!
Interested?
CLICK HERE to fill out the Registration Form
Retreat Experience
Begin the Journey
FAQ
Is it possible to visit Tierramor or stay short term?
Yes! Our Events Calendar is up to date with upcoming retreats, events & workshops.
We will have additional lodging options available in the future. Tierramor will also be hosting approximately four Open Days a year. Please sign up to our newsletter to stay up to date with this.
How many people live in the community and how can I join?
Tierramor is able to comfortably accommodate 30+ people. We anticipate between 10 and 30 people living in the community at any given time. At the moment, 10 people living on site are dedicating the majority of their energy to working on developing the project.
You can join our community as part of the Community Immersion or please check out our latest work opportunities under the Co-Create section.
What types of activities are on offer?
As a retreat center and a burgeoning community, Tierramor offers a variety of week-long retreats, day events and workshops throughout the year. As part of the Community Immersion, all community members will have free access to daily yoga, meditation, dance, and other embodiments practices and can offer to facilitate and share their own practice with the community.
Sign up to our Newsletter to receive updates on upcoming Community Immersion dates!
What is the food like?
Most of the food is vegetarian, and vegans can be accommodated. We aim to have as much local and organic food as possible.
What is the internet like?
All communal areas have internet. Tierramor has also built a dedicated lounge-like co-working space on the land, which is accessible to all community members. The internet is excellent and we hope to install high speed internet soon as well.
What is your children policy?
Right now we are open to adults only. Children are welcome to attend specific day events only. As Tierramor continues to grow and evolve, this may change.
Can I bring my car and what are the roads like?
If you are renting or bringing your own car, make sure you are driving a four-wheel drive (4x4). The majority of roads are unpaved, dirt roads and require a specialized car. You will be able to safely park your vehicle in the designated parking areas at Tierramor.
How do I get to Tierramor?
You can drive, or take a taxi service from Nosara.
1. Type into GPS the following address: Mini Super Y Licores Río Montaña, located in the mango grove area between Nosara and Ostional.
2. Once there, turn into the road towards the mountains which is next to the Mini super Y licores.
3. Head straight for about 0.5 km until you reach a T junction. There will be a river on your right and a road on your left. Go left and follow the road for another mile.
4. You will pass through a teak forest, go over a small bridge and a 2.5 mile dirt road up the hill will take you to Tierramor.
5. You will see signs along the way and a member of our team will meet you up top to help with parking.
How far out of town is Tierramor?
We are located outside of Nosara in the Rio Montana area.
The easiest way to get into town is by car (4x4 necessary) which takes around ~25 minutes in the dry season. The roads can be really bad in the wet season, which makes this a longer and more challenging trip.
How far is the beach from Tierramor?
We are ~25 minutes away from the beach by car (4x4 necessary). There are sometimes shared rides available. The roads can be really bad in the wet season, which makes this a longer and more challenging trip.
Which are the best months to come?
The Dry Season, which extends from November to April, coincides with the peak tourist season. During these months, camping and casita accommodations are at their prime, and it is generally the most enjoyable time to stay at Tierramor. Please note March and April are the hottest months in the Guanacaste region.
The Green Season is exceptionally stunning but can present more challenges, including occasional power and internet outages, heavy rainfall, and difficult road conditions, primarily in the months of August through October.
The weather is greatly influenced by the annual climate patterns.
Is it possible to buy land or a house?
These opportunities are coming soon! Please sign up to our newsletter to stay up to date with this.
