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One Day Meditation Retreat
Sunday 27th
9:15am – 4:15pm
With Sayalai Caru Dassini
for intermediate to experienced level
We host Burmese nun Sayalai Caru Dassini, who is here visiting from Panditarama Meditation Centre, for a one day meditation retreat at Mai Kaidee’s Oasis. This is open to all, but geared towards intermediate to experienced level meditators.
She was a close disciple, translator and assistant for Sayadaw U Pandita, who has been one of the world’s leading Vipassana teachers for many decades. You will likely have met Steven Smith who has given many talks for us in Bangkok before – he also is a student of Sayadaw U Pandita.
The workshop cost is 600 baht per person, which includes a vegetarian healthy lunch.
Sayalai (Ajahn) Caru Dassini
Now in her mid 40’s Mae Chee Caru Dassini has been in robes for about 20 years, and so has lots of experience. In the Sayadaw U Pandita lineage there is strong emphasis on mindfulness meditation in strict intensive environments, often lasting 3 months or more. She is also well qualified in Abhidhamma (intricate Buddhist philosophy and psychology) and the Pali Suttas.
Sayalai Caru Dassini has excellent English, and is very clear and focussed. There won’t be long dhamma talks in this workshop – it is a day getting right into meditation practise with an experienced teacher. We will use this opportunity to focus entirely on the practical direct application of the Mahasi Sayadaw method of mindfulness (Vipassana) meditation practise in the different postures. You will find her a clear and precise guide, with excellent English and communication skills.
This style of practise uses the ‘Satipatthana Sutta’ as the basis – this is the Foundations of Mindfulness that was taught by the Buddha himself, and remains the cornerstone teaching of Vipassana. There is lots of information on it around the net – google ‘foundations of mindfulness’.
Sunday 27th October
at Mai Kaidee’s Oasis
near Democracy Monument, Bangkok
Schedule:
- 9:15am Meet at May Kaidee Restaurant, behind Burger King on Kao San Road
- 9:45 Head over as a group to the Oasis
- 10:00 Morning session of Dhamma, sitting and walking, and eating meditation
- 12:15 Healthy vegetarian lunch from the world famous May Kaidee
- 1:15-4:00 Afternoon session of Dhamma, sitting and walking with instructions
- 4:15 finish
May Kaidee’s Oasis
May is world famous for her vegetarian and vegan Thai cooking school – she even teaches in Russia, Czech Republic and New York! Her cooking books are big sellers too. We’ve had some great group lunches at one of her restaurants in the past. Now she has a new place, hidden away from all but the real locals. May Kaidee’s Oasis.
It is a bit tricky to get to, but that makes it all the more worthwhile. And we’ll be making this one of our regular venues, so it is worthwhile getting on your radar. Being hidden away there is no roaring traffic noise. Though there might be some building noise from nearby – good for mindfulness and patience!
We will have the two storey Thai-style house to ourselves.
To make it easy, we will meet up at the Mai Kaidee restaurant near Kao San Road, and then walk over to the Oasis as a group. If you are driving, see further down for the exact location.
Click the map to enlarge
Booking
If you’d like to book for this event please enter your details below – and do double check them as many people enter the wrong details and then wonder why no one got back to them with confirmation. There’s plenty of space – we don’t anticipate being over booked. Please be very sure you are attending though as we have to pay for all the food we order, including anyone who did not turn up.
If you would like to join but are short of funds, let us know, and we’ll arrange a free place for you.
After entering your details you will be returned to this page and someone will get back to you within a day or two. Your details won’t appear on the web page.
The Oasis Location
While we are keen to keep this Bangkok place secret, if you are driving, and looking to park your car near the venue, you can find it by the maps below. Here is a wide area view, and a closer view. Note the road does not go right up to the Oasis so you will want to park around Mahanop Road (I’ll work on the maps a bit more when time permits)
