Awakening Through the Four Immeasurables

Grounded in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition, this 4-day overnight immersion will focus on the practice of the Four Immeasurables of lovingkindness, compassion, joy and equanimity as the necessary foundation for Bodhicitta (“the Awakened Heart”). This training will be anchored by teachings and guided contemplations in a group setting guided by Dorlop Rinpoche, Dr. Hun Lye of Urban Dharma North Carolina as well as personal practice time interspersed. Rather than a “retreat,” Dr. Lye encourages us to think of this program as an “intensive” where we tune into the work at hand of investigating and awakening the heart!

Dr. Lye’s teachings will draw from a range of Buddhist sources that reflect his own cultural and spiritual background – born and raised in Malaysia and beginning his own path in the eclectic Theravada and Chinese Buddhist community there, educated in Buddhist Studies at the University of Virginia (with a PhD in Religious Studies) and now emerging as one of the key teachers of his generation in the Drikung Kagyu Lineage of Tibetan Buddhism.

Who is this for?

We offer this program for people ages 18–35 to create a space tailored to the questions, transitions, and community needs common in this stage of life. Beginner meditators are welcome.

Practice & Atmosphere

This four-day program will include group meditation practice, teachings, personal practice, breaks for rest, caretaking of spaces, and the sharing of healthy vegan meals together. There will be periods of silence, and periods for relaxed connection and conversation. If you are accustomed to formal silent retreats such as Zen sesshin, please know that this program will feel quite different to that.

During this intensive, participants will be assigned a light amount of work practice to help with ease for our kitchen team and the well-being of our spaces overall.

Location

This intensive takes place on a beautiful 40-acre private property approximately 35 minutes outside of Asheville, North Carolina.

Compassionate Expressions Retreat Center
207 Robinson Cv Rd,
Leicester, North Carolina, 28748

A carpool and rideshare spreadsheet will be shared in advance so participants can coordinate transportation together.

Cost

Dharma Gates events are offered within the practice of Dana (दान), the Sanskrit/Pali word meaning generosity or giving. Rather than operating on a fee structure, we instead ask you to engage with us in a relationship of reciprocity, giving what feels aligned with your circumstances and values. If these experiences are precious to you, we invite you to donate in a way that reflects that. Doing so will breathe life into our efforts, helping us to continue creating beautiful, accessible practice opportunities for young people for years to come. Donation for this course is possible via the registration link.