Give yourself the gift of presence. “To study the Buddha way is to study the self. To study the self is to let go of the self. To let go of the self is to be illuminated by a myriad of things.” -Dogen

Flowering Lotus Meditation is hosting a silent retreat at the William J. Kelley Retreat Center in Bay St. Louis, Mississippi, from February 24 to 26, 2023.

Comfortable accommodations, delicious vegetarian meals, peace, time and stillness, all under the instruction of a qualified teacher—that’s what attendees to the retreat can expect. Private or shared rooms can be booked and commuting options to the retreat center are available in addition to scholarships as needed. The theme of this month’s retreat is: with compassion, loving kindness and equanimity we will explore both our unconscious and conscious biases so that we can begin to be free of them.

Dr. Valarie (Vimalasara) Mason-John, renowned meditation teacher from Canada and author of Afrikan Wisdom: New Voices Talk Black Liberation, Buddhism, and Beyond, will lead the retreat.

"Dr. Mason-John has the skills to give everyone who attends a different meditative experience according to their lifestyle, spiritual journey, emotional readiness and needs in the moment,” says Beth Herzig, retreat director. “She is an inspiring person with whom to practice.”

Flowering Lotus Meditation retreats are less of a religious experience and more of an opportunity for contemplation and self-reflection, an opportunity to be still and take time to catch up with oneself away from all the busyness of life. Learning from the Buddha’s teachings can be an addition to any faith or belief system.

Flowering Lotus Meditation is a volunteer-led nonprofit that organizes and hosts Buddhist meditation retreats in various locations. It is a mobile Buddhist community, also known as a ‘Sangha’. Each retreat is completely unique but still fosters the same welcoming and accepting mindful values.

“All are welcome to attend our retreats. If you are new to meditation, even if you’ve never tried it, come spend a weekend with a supportive community that can show you the possibility of befriending your own mind,” says Herzig.

Sign up for the retreat and subscribe to the newsletter at FloweringLotusMeditation.org. Contact Beth Herzig at 601-869-5292.