THE FOUR GREAT VOWS OF BODHISATTVA
1 – Sentient beings, without number, I vow to help and save them all.
2 – Afflictions, limitless, I vow to eliminate them all.
3 – Doctrines, innumerable, I vow to study them all.
4 – Buddha’s dharma, supreme, I vow to realize it completely.
As various successive crises have shaken human confidence in the future, it is undeniable that consciousness is evolving towards a higher stage. The cybernetic revolution, which has helped us to move spectacularly beyond the linear functioning of the human mind, reveals another, quieter, less visible but equally well-established revolution: the ethical revolution.
Indeed, all over the planet, humans are increasingly awakening to empathy and compassion. While the world population continues to be carnivorous, enormous efforts are in movement to save animal species from the killing perpetrated by insensitive humans.
As part of the evolutionary impulse, empathy grows in the human species. This inevitable development leads the most sensitive humans towards an awareness of universal suffering. This empathy is like a deep wave, born from the bottom of the ocean of compassion. It grows steadily, surreptitiously, until it sweeps away everything that prevents humans from being truly human.
As we try to navigate our way through these challenging times, we are following the words of the Ancients, who taught us that the occultist is the one who learns to recognize the right moment to act. It is in this spirit that the retreat takes place as an opportunity to reinforce this wave of benevolence and bring it to its real aim, which is to lead human consciousness to the heights of the mind, and beyond, at the edge of the realization of the Oneness of Life. There the transcended mind becomes the true servant of intelligence.
By applying the Great Bodhisattva Vows in daily life, practitioners will help this wave of benevolence to fill their hearts and minds.
Trân-Thi-Kim-Diêu
Postgraduate degree at the University of Montpellier (France) in Pharmaceutical Engineering, trained in human psychology with applied astrology to serve as a counsellor in life orientation.
Kim-Diêu is currently General Secretary of the French Section of the Theosophical Society (Adyar), Vice-President of the Council of the European Federation of Theosophical Society (EFTS), and a former chair of the ITC Naarden Council).
Kim-Diêu gives lectures, courses and seminars, and coordinates spiritual silent retreats on the Ageless Wisdom in different countries, illustrating that the spiritual life cannot be separated from daily ethical life and meditation. She has directed several Schools of Wisdom sessions at Adyar and ITC (Naarden) as well as seminars and retreats at ITC (Naarden) together with courses at Krotona.
Daily Programme
Wednesday 18 September
17.00 Reception of participants
18.30 Dinner
20.00 Opening, beginning of silence
Thursday 19 September
08.00 Meditation
09.00 Breakfast
10.00 Talk: Presentation of the Great Vows. Terminology to be clarified
11.00 Break
11.30 Q&A session
13.00 Lunch
15.00 Practice
16.00 Break
16.30 Meditative enquiry
17.30 Practice
18.30 Dinner
Silent night
Friday 20 and Saturday 21 same programme. Sunday 22: closing before lunch (followed by lunch at 13.00).
Friday talk: The Bodhisattva Vows (I)
Saturday talk: The Bodhisattva Vows (II)
Sunday talk: When can Bodhisattva vows be taken?
Between sessions and during meals we will be in SILENCE
Mission of the ITC
Is to serve humanity as a spiritual study and retreat centre, inviting people to work on the process of inner transformation.
Any stay at the Centre is meant to promote quietness of mind, peace, and a harmonious life. Therefore, smoking or using drugs on the estate is not allowed; furthermore, only vegetarian meals and non-alcoholic beverages may be consumed.
Mission Theosophical Society
To serve humanity by cultivating an ever-deepening understanding and realization of the Ageless Wisdom, spiritual self-transformation, and the Unity of all Life.
Registration and payments
Registration can be done through the following link: https://forms.gle/uB2YfHhVJ9sq8rAV8
The link gives all information about lodging facilities, meals, costs and payments.
Venue: Meentweg 9, 1411 GR, Naarden. Crystal Hall, +31 (0)35 541 71 18.
For those who come to ITC for the first time, it is advised to download the route description and map as TomTom leads to the wrong place.
