The Westchester Buddhist Center will hold its sixth annual retreat from February 16 to 23 at the Garrison Institute. The retreat, The Four Foundations of Mindfulness, is an opportunity to get away from the speed and habits of life to deepen one’s regular meditation practice.

Daily talks and guided meditations will focus on the Buddha’s core teaching on meditation, with a unique interpretation presented by Tibetan meditation master and scholar Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche and two traditional interpretations presented by Joseph Goldstein and B. Alan Wallace.

Days will consist of alternating periods of sitting and walking meditation, guided meditations, dharma talks, readings on technique, and interviews with teachers. The first half of the program will be held in silence until the closing bell in the evening; the second half will be held in silence until lunchtime. Meals will be buffet-style and primarily vegetarian.

The retreat will be led by John Baker, Jane Kolleeny and Derek Kolleeny, all experienced dharma teachers authorized by Trungpa Rinpoche in the Kagyu-Nyingma traditions of Tibetan Buddhism. They emphasize experiential Buddhism, which develops as meditation practice deepens, both on the meditation cushion and in daily life.

Westchester Buddhist Center was formed in early 2009 to share the Tibetan Vajrayana Buddhist and Shambhala teachings and meditation practices presented in the West by Trungpa Rinpoche. The center offers some need-based scholarships.

The Garrison Institute is located on Route 9D at Glenclyffe, in Garrison, NY. To register or for more information, visit WestchesterBuddhistCenter.org.