Note: These are the event details and booking page for the IN-PERSON attendance of this retreat from the above physical location in Tung Chung.  There is also the option to attend this event by dialing in from your own home or other suitable location of your choosing - registration and full details for that can be found here.

Please join us on a one-day Metta (Lovingkindness) and Vipassana (Insight) Meditation retreat led by Visu Teoh who will be leading this event via Zoom from his home in Germany. Hong Kong-based HKIMS teacher Jessica Mui will be on site at the above physical venue and will connect to the Zoom session from the dharma hall where it will be projected live for all in-person attendees.  Attendees can then receive instruction and guidance from Visu whilst at the same time utilising the venue's hall and extensive grounds for practice.  Other attendees to this event will simultaneously connect to Zoom from their homes or other locations.

In line with the government and venue mandated guidelines on social distancing for such gatherings, in-person attendance is limted to a maximum of 20 people.  We will have exclusive use of the dharma hall (which ordinarily has a capacity of well over 100) as well as other extensive communal spaces at the venue.  All in-person attendee names and phone numbers will be taken during registration, as well as temperature on the day, and attendees will be asked to wear masks throughout as well as to eat separately.

This event is suitable for beginners and experienced meditators.

The retreat will be conducted in English.

Gathering time: by 8:45am

Gathering location: Exit D, Tung Chung MTR Station

Schedule

Morning

• 9.00am to 10.00am: Welcome and Guided metta session by Visu to begin our practice day.
• 10.00am to 11.00am: Walking / Standing metta meditation. Instructions will be given.
• 11.00am to 12.00 noon: Sitting metta meditation. Instructions will be given.

Lunch (please bring your own)

• 12.00 noon to 1.30pm: Lunch and rest. Instructions will be given on mindful eating.

Afternoon

• 1.30pm to 2.30pm: Vipassana meditation. Sitting. Instructions will be given.
• 2.30pm to 3.30pm: Walking / Standing meditation. Instructions will be given.
• 3.30pm to 4.30pm: Sitting meditation. Instructions will be given.

Sharing

• 4.30pm to 6.00pm: Dhamma Talk, Questions and Answers, Closure with Sharing of Merits.

As part of the tradition of practicing generosity of dana, we encourage you to donate to Visu in supporting the sharing of the Dhamma, as well as showing our appreciation for the teachings.  Details on how to do so can be found here.

About Metta practice

As well as Vipassana practice, the Buddha taught the importance to always practice Metta and kindness. Metta is a Pali word that means goodwill, lovingkindness, friendliness. It is a one of four divine ways of abiding. Lovingkindness is unconditional love and friendliness towards all beings. It makes no distinction between any living being. The highest aspiration mentioned in the lovingkindness discourse is that one loves all beings just as a mother loves her only child - but of course, first, we have to be skilled at developing it towards ourselves.

By cultivating compassion, we can treat ourselves and others kindly and know how to use the supple forgiving heart to accept ourselves and others, leading us to live our daily lives harmoniously and with ease of mind. The Buddha also spoke about eleven benefits of practicing Metta, such as sleeping easily, dreaming no evil dreams, beloved by all beings and devas, neither fire, poison nor weapons can harm us, that one’s mind gains concentration quickly, etc.

Participants who are new to how Visu teaches metta can read up the instructions on his website www.visuteoh.net. In addition to the metta meditation instructions they can also read two relevant essays on his website – (1) Metta Questions and Answers and (2) Metta in Everyday Life. The meditation instructions and essays can be found under the section on Teachings.

Participants who are new to Vipassana can also read the vipassana meditation instructions on Visu’s website. During the retreat Visu will also give brief instructions on Vipassana meditation.

About the teacher

Visu was born in Penang, Malaysia, in 1953. He was a journalist for 12 years and later a Buddhist monk for 17 years before he resumed the lay life in 2003. He has been practicing meditation since 1982 and has studied with various teachers including the Myanmar meditation master Sayadaw U Pandita (author of ‘In this very life: The liberation teachings of the Buddha’) and Ven Sujiva of Malaysia (author of ‘Essentials of Insight Meditation’ and other books). Visu Teoh has led retreats in Asia, Australia, and Europe. He travels to teach meditation and Dhamma with his wife, Barbara. He is the author of several books including ‘Curbing Anger Spreading Love,’ ‘Loving and Dying,’ ‘Hello with love and other meditations’ and ‘Metta – the practice of lovingkindness for a happier life.’