A Hybrid Weekend Retreat with Laura Burges
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About this event
Living in Vow: A Meditation Retreat
A Hybrid Weekend Retreat with Laura Burges
In this two-day meditation retreat, we will consider what it means to live in vow. As we find ourselves in these bewildering times, the world around us swirling with discord and disruption, we can feel invited to return to our deepest intention to live our Buddhist way. The Metta Sutta cautions us not to be submerged by the things of the world and, as we strengthen our vow, we can face the world with renewed strength. We will be studying Buddhist teachings, such as the Four Foundations of Mindfulness, to help us be in alignment with our vows.
My practice has been to combine the teachings of Buddhism with the principles of twelve-step recovery. We are all recovering from something, and though this isn’t a recovery retreat, those principles are congruent with our whole-hearted practice, and I will be sharing some of my personal experience with you. I look forward to engaging with the wisdom of the group, as our time together unfolds, in the spirit of confidentiality.
“I vow to live and be lived for the benefit of all beings.” –The Bodhisattva Vow
Ryuko Laura Burges is a lay entrusted dharma teacher in the Soto Zen tradition, teaching and leading retreats in California. She received monastic training at Tassajara Zen Mountain Center. A longtime educator, Laura co-founded the Meditation in Recovery programs at San Francisco Zen Center. Her teachings have been featured in Buddhadharma and Tricycle Magazines, and her books include Wisdom Stories of Tibet (2025), the first volume in a three-part series that will also feature wisdom stories from India and Japan. Other titles from Shambhala Publications are The Zen Way of Recovery: An Illuminated Path Out of the Darkness of Addiction (2023), Zen for Kids (2023), and Buddhist Stories for Kids (2022).
When:
Saturday, February 7, 2026, 9:00AM - 4:00PM PDT
Sunday, February 8, 2026, 9:00 AM - 4:00PM PDT
Where:
On Zoom: **An email with a link to the Retreat Home Page will be sent to all registrants the day before the retreat begins. The Retreat Home Page will include the Zoom link and other retreat details.
In-Person: In-person participation will take place at the White Heron Sangha Meditation Center in Avila Village behind the Woodstone Marketplace, near the Bob Jones Trail. Parking is alongside the buildings. Please do not park in front of the Woodstone Marketplace!
Dana: The teachings are offered freely. The retreat registration fee covers retreat expenses; none of the retreat fee goes to the teacher. Details on how to donate to the teacher and to support the White Heron Sangha will be provided at the retreat and will be on the retreat home page. We try to keep our retreat fees at a minimum so that you can be truly generous with your donation to the teacher. Plan on attending both days in order to fully appreciate the teachings.
Registration: You must register online. Use the Register Now link. If you are a member, make sure to log in to the website before registering to get the membership price. Payment can be made by credit card, or you can send a check to White Heron Sangha, PO Box 313, Avila Beach, CA 93424. Pre-registration and payment are required. The registration fee will be refunded in full if notice of cancellation is received at least one week prior to the retreat. Registration closes on Friday, February 6th at noon.
More Information:
For information on attending a retreat at WHS, please read our Retreats webpage.
Tea and light snacks will be provided; please bring a cup. Retreatants will provide their own lunch. Chairs and meditation cushions will be available. You might want to bring a shawl and extra cushions, if you use them. No dogs are allowed in the building except for service dogs.
Location
Hybrid - White Heron Sangha Meditation Center and Zoom
6615 Bay Laurel Pl.
Avila Beach, CA 93424
USA
Registration Info
Registration is required before Friday, February 06, 2026 at 12:00 PM
Payment In Full In Advance Only
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