THE HERO’S JOURNEY 2024. With Michael Hamilton and Sabine Glück

Module 1: Foundations in Mind, Heart and Body Yogic Practice

April 12-14, 2024

In this module we will build a foundation from which to explore the practice methods that support participants on their personal path towards a deeper understanding and the cultivation of their inherent heart qualities.
In the theoretical part, we introduce the Buddhist teaching of the Four Noble Truth and the Eightfold Noble Path and discuss its meaning in the context of our modern life.
This module is the starting point of a journey. We get in touch with one another and start growing together as a group which opens up a sacred space arisen out of trust to support each individual on their personal journey.

Module 2 (Pentecost): The forces within us

May 17-20, 2024

This module is dedicated towards clarity of one’s individual motivation and intention for the practice. In contemplation and reflection, we move closer to what truly matters to us and what our heart longs for. We gently touch on individual tendencies and investigate how these shape the ways we look at ourselves and the world around us. Informed by a deeper understanding of the internal forces driving us, we encourage participants to connect to an intuitive and personal approach towards the manifestation of their vision.
To support us in this exploration, we introduce e.g. Kleshas as described in Patanjali’s Yoga Sutra as well as three levels of emotional experiences as described in Buddhism.  

Module 3: Playfully approaching the individual practice

June 28-30, 2024

The third module is a playful exposition of and a deeper dive into the different orientations towards Asana, Pranayama/Kriyas, and Meditation in order to connect participants to an experiential understanding of the different approaches. Enriched by theoretical knowledge on Asana sequencing, different aspects of the meditation practice as well as approaches to classical Pranayama practice, this module gives Yogis concrete tools to keep up a purposeful practice at home.
Theoretically we will base this weekend on inspiration from e.g. the Krishnamaycharya traditions (Ashtanga, Iyengar), teachings from the Bhagavad Gita and the three turnings of Buddhism (Theravada, Mahayana, Vajrayana).

Module 4: Awakening to wisdom

August 23-25, 2024

This module is dedicated to the teachings of natural wisdom that reaches beyond a conceptual mind. Letting body, mind and heart be our guides, there is the potential to discover that natural presence is always and already here and profound transformation can occur by resting in just simply being.
The Satipatthana Sutta, Heart Sutra and other Buddhist texts are introduced with the aim to broaden our understanding and encourage the inner exploration.

Module 5: Unleashing inherent heart qualities

September 13-15, 2024

The module’s focus is the traditions emphasizing and the practices cultivating heart qualities such as compassion, patience and kindness. Participants are guided to familiarize themselves with their inner landscape and find ways to move closer to inherent heart qualities that touch their life and the life of the people around them in a beautiful way.

To support us in this module’s dialogue and practice we draw inspiration from texts such as The Way of the Bodhisattva (Shantideva).

Module 6: Retreat at Casa Corvo

October 23-27, 2024

These days are an invitation to unplug, slow down, relax and integrate the practices and experiences of the past months. A long morning practice in silence, the surrounding nature and sharing this experience with a group of likeminded practitioners support us in further cultivating a gentle awareness. There will be enough time for walks, swimming, discovery trips into the surroundings.

Module 7: Working with difficult emotions

November 15-17, 2024

The seventh weekend focuses on working with difficult emotions. The practice offers a safe space to confront us with difficulties and with that, opens up the opportunity to learn and discover skillful means when encountering distress. Methods from Essential Psychotherapy (approach integrating psychotherapeutic work with Buddhist mind training) are introduced, which invite us to embrace healing and stimulate inner maturity through self-exploration.

Module 8: Re/vision

December 20-22, 2024

In this module the participants are encouraged to pause and reflect on the past weeks. How did my individual practice unfold? What creates resonance, what resistance? How do I connect to the motivation that keeps my practice steady? Does the practice lead me closer to my vision and heart wishes? Where do I want to go from here? How can I dedicate my life energy to the wellbeing of me and other beings?

Michael Hamilton

Growing up in apartheid South Africa led Michael to an early interest in the topic of individual and collective hardship and awakened within him the yearning to address and confront the challenges it brings.
In his youth it spurned him on to political activism and rebellion, sublimated through studies in art and literature, which additionally offered helpful glimpses into the human condition. The discovery of Buddhism in his twenties brought about dramatic life changes resulting in his departure from the west to the east and long years of studies in yoga and Buddhism in Asia. After discovering satipatthana meditation with its direct application of mindfulness to progressive stages of development, he started studies in short- and long-term retreat formats with Sayday U Vivekananda.
Currently Michael is undergoing a 3-year course in essential psychology, which combines skillful methods developed in psychology with the Buddhism teachings on wisdom, in order to better facilitate development and healing in individuals and small groups. He is deeply grateful to all those that have helped and guided him on his path, particularly Daido Roshi for his acts of kindness, Vivekanada and Baddhamanika for their endless patience, Richard Freeman and Mary Taylor for their insights into approaching practice, Doug Keller for therapeutic body awareness and Wolfgang Erhard and Lama Lhündrup for awakening the Bodhisattva spirit within.
Michael lives with his wife Sabine Glück in Ticino, Switzerland.
For more information please see www.michaelhamiltonyoga.com

Sabine Glück

Sabine is a Yoga and meditation practitioner and teacher and is co-directing the Center of Mindfulness in Zurich. She has practiced and studied avidly since 2010. Her love and commitment to spiritual practice influences her life and what she shares as a teacher.

Sabine honors her primary teachers of Hatha and Classical Yoga, Richard Freeman and Mary Taylor, Michael Hamilton and Doug Keller as well as U Vivekananda and Baddhamanika for their compassionate and wise guidance in meditation practice.
She holds an MA in Psychology from the University of Zurich and is a certified MBSR teacher (Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction). Currently Sabine is absolving a 3-years training in Essential Psychotherapy, an approach integrating psychotherapeutic methods and Buddhist wisdom. 

Sabine lives in a remote valley in Ticino, Switzerland. She is regularly retreating for longer practice periods.