Held at The Octagon in Brooks Maine
For the good of all beings everywhere, may we cultivate care in our hearts.
Why Meditate at this Time?
There is so much pain in the world and there is pain in our lives too.
It takes training to care for pain. The untrained heart burns out in the face of prolonged pain.
When we take time to slow down, we feel, and in that place we learn to care for the pain and the heartbreak. We are nourished by the act of caring. From that place we can’t help but to be moved to act decisively and with purpose.
About the Retreat
This will be an intensive traditional exploration of compassion.
Gabriel’s characteristic style is to meet people right where they are and offering what is needed most.
About the Teacher
Gabriel Baldwin has been attending retreats in the Insight/Vipassana tradition since 2002 and has been teaching meditation as his primary vocation since 2013. His training and practice includes Tibetan, secular mindfulness, and somatic psychotherapy influences.
To read more about lineage.
About The Octagon
Located on a homestead in Brooks, Maine the Octagon is a large one room building with an earthen floor and fire pit in the center. The roof has a louvered vent for smoke to exit when there is a fire lit and a window on each wall. My father, Peter Baldwin, built it about two decades ago and has hosted men’s groups in the space over the years. It wants to be used. The 16 principles of the Earth Charter are written on wooden panels around the space. The Earth Charter is a document created by representatives from around the world that seeks to inspire a new sense of global interdependence and shared responsibility for the well-being of the whole human family, the greater community of life, and future generations. You can read more about the Earth Charter here.
The Details
April 12, 2025
Saturday
12pm to 4pm
Who? All bodied people. All gender & queer expressions. All racial groups. All class groups. Newer meditators all the way to experienced ones. Gabriel’s approach uses plain language and is oriented around being accessible. Gabriel is responsible for holding the space in a way that will minimize and prevent harm from occurring non-verbally or verbally.
Donation:
The retreat, like all of my meditation teaching, is offered freely with donations welcome from participants. At the end of the retreat there will be an opportunity to leave a donation. I often get the question, “what amount is appropriate?” To the degree that feels right and good for you given your financial situation and that you feel grateful and moved to give genuinely without shame or guilt.
Fee:
Fee $10 to Register
This registration fee is used to care for the space and land. If this fee is beyond your means or prohibitive to you attending please reach out to request accommodation.
Accessibility: The Octagon is located at the top of a hill. Just outside the village of Brooks you drive up a 1/4 mile gravel road leading to a gravel parking area next to a couple houses. From there walking 200 feet on a mowed path across a field to reach the Octagon over somewhat uneven ground. If this walk is beyond the means of any participant it could be driven. There is a step over the threshold into the space as well. We ask that everyone refrains from wearing scented products to support people affected by strong scents.
COVID: If you are experiencing cold or flu symptoms leading up to the event please do not attend and notify Gabriel to let everyone know about potential exposure. For reference, there are screened windows in each of the walls providing passive ventilation.
To Register:
Reach out below if you have any questions about the retreat. I’m touched by your interest.