Dharma Gates Inc

Dear Loved Ones of Isaac, We are deeply moved by each of your contributions in Isaac's honor, and we are grateful to share that we just completed our retreat that was funded by your generous donations: The Practice of Wonderment and Interfusion Retreat with Guo Gu, teacher of Chan Buddhism. We gathered 18 young adult practitioners--some of whom were on their first-ever meditation retreat--for a four-night silent retreat at the Tallahassee Chan Center in Florida. At the beginning of the retreat, our teacher Guo Gu shared some beautiful words about Isaac and his legacy as a practitioner and a bodhisattva (an enlightened being who, with great compassion, helps other sentient beings reach enlightenment). We kept Isaac's photo on the wall for the duration of the retreat so that participants could offer their love, prayers, and respects to him and his loved ones as they practiced.  Here are some reflections from our participants about the retreat: "By being given the opportunity to further my practice, I will be able to go forth in daily life with a renewed and heightened sense of determination and joy on this bodhisattva path." - Drew "[I learned] more clearly about how I should practice not to seek any state, but the practice itself is the way and the end result." - Lincoln "This was my first retreat, and I'm so happy I came on it! As a college student that lives with so much chaos, it was very refreshing to be in an environment that prioritized slowing down and thinking about our experience." - Eliana "[The retreat] helped me view myself differently, to see through the thinking mind and inner critic, and to ground myself in experience." - Wyatt "Recently in my life, within the turmoil of complex decisions, I've felt like a scared child without answers. I've judged myself, my [inner] child. On retreat, however, I feel that I've taken time to understand my child... I feel encouraged and pulled towards deepening my practice on more intensive retreats." - Andrew We feel so honored to have been invited to steward these resources in support of Isaac's wish that all beings be liberated. Thank you to each of you for being a part of that. Isaac will forever be in our hearts as we continue in our efforts to help young adults find true and meaningful refuge. With immense love for Isaac, his loved ones, and all beings, The Dharma Gates Team