This retreat is the inaugural event of the newly formed Divyāloka Contemplative Learning Collective (DCLC), focusing its first year of programing and retreats on contemplative approaches to a diversity of religious and interreligious liturgical spiritualities. The DCLC is a growing community of scholar-practitioners, professed religious, spiritual directors and teachers that share a common engagement with living and fostering contemplative life and practice. Coming from various fields of spiritual knowledge—such as intellectual study in the contemplative humanities and comparative theology, traditional training in established religious orders, or in most cases, a combination of the two—DCLC’s guiding principle is encouraging the experience of “deep learning across religious borders,” with the aim of helping those on the spiritual path to broaden their understanding of the deep resonances echoing through the reality of global religious diversity, while also deepening and enriching their own spiritual life within their own particular tradition or traditions.

 “Liturgical Spirituality in Buddhism & Vedanta” will be a co-led, inter-religious retreat. Guided by:

§  Abhyudaya Mandal—PhD candidate, Department of Religious Studies, University of Virginia and practitioner of nondual Hinduism within the Arsha Vidya school of Vedanta.

 §  Saccadhārā Todd Brown—MTS, Harvard Divinity School in Buddhist Studies and Comparative Theology, postulant in the Soto Zen school of Buddhism, and Visiting Resident at Mountain Light Retreat.

 The primary theme of “Contemplating Liturgy” purposefully holds a double meaning, and will be explored in two senses. The first will be contemplation in the sense of deepening our understanding of the meaning and use of our traditional liturgical texts and practices—thinking about what the liturgy means, both historically and subjectively. The second sense will be to use our developed understanding to cultivate spiritual insight through liturgical meditative reflection and silent contemplation. And to finally see the symbiotic relation between these two modes of liturgical contemplation, and the possibility of the inter-religious practice of Buddhism and Vedanta.

While drop-ins and single-day participation are welcome, the benefit of this retreat is in the continuity of practice and participation. It is recommended to attend the retreat in its entirety—whether by commuting or reserving a room at MLR. Simple breakfast and lunch are provided each day. There are no set fees for the retreat or meals, all is offered on a donation basis and relies solely on the spirit of generosity—feel free to attend any or all of the gatherings as your time and budget allows. All financial offerings go to offsetting the costs of the retreat, meals, and residency. 

Registration is encouraged, but not required. RSVP for any meals is appreciated. To register for the retreat, RSVP for meals, or receive the full retreat schedule for drop-in times, please email: todd.mountainlight@gmail.com. To reserve a room at Mountain Light Retreat for overnight stays, please contact Debbie Scott at debbie@mountainlightretreatva.com.