I have decided that this summer I will finally be creating an event that I have been dreaming about for years. I don't think there is anything else quite like this that has ever been done, and personally I am giddy with excitement about how it will unfold.
The idea is to create an intensive five day meditation retreat for a small group, that includes a relational component. There will be silent meditation, like most meditation retreats, but there will also be a meditative practice with the focus of awareness on relationship itself.
The purpose of the retreat is to cultivate awareness of our experience from moment to moment to moment, both as we go within ourselves in silent meditation, and as we relate with each other in connection. Through the cultivation of awareness, we will reveal the truth of each moment - the truth within ourselves, and the truth we see in others.
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I am still putting building the structure of this retreat, but here is the basic idea in a nutshell.
Minimal Facilitation
I certainly have a lot of experience facilitating, leading, teaching, and organizing these kinds of experiences, but I want the facilitation to be kept to a minimum. I also want to be a participant. I will be available for support, but the basic idea of the retreat will be of minimal facilitation from me. It will depend on self-discipline, participation from everyone, and a tight structure (see below).
Participants will be expected to already have prior experience in either meditation, or any form of deep relational work (such as circling, the diamond approach, etc.) Preferably, the participants will be very experienced and will bring a lot to share with the group, so that we all may benefit from each other's wisdom. I will lead the group into the first day of practice, and then the group will carry it's own momentum. During meditation hours, their will be an emphasis on insight meditation (vipassana), though participants may also practice whatever silent meditation technique they prefer.
The relational meditation practice will be guided at first to set the context for practice. For those familiar with the practice of "circling" it may resemble something like an "organic circle." In short, the group will speak and interact with each other in a way that maintains our awareness on the ever-changing experience of the present moment. [More information on relational meditation practice to come...]
During personal time periods, one will be able to practice according to their own preference in line with the general purpose of the retreat.
Minimal Facilities, (and work contribution from every participant)
To keep costs low, and to minimize unnecessary work, the facilities will be kept minimalist. Three meals will be eaten each day, and snacks will be available, but the meals will be kept simple and easy to prepare. Breakfast will be oatmeal, cereal, fruit, yogurt, and toast. Lunch will be the big meal of the day. Dinner will be soup, salad, and whatever fruit and snacks are available.
Each participant will be expected to do a yogi job each day, cooking, cleaning, time keeping, etc. so that the retreat can run smoothly without need for outside help.
Self Discipline
The next key principle of this retreat will be self discipline so that we can stick to a tight structure and put our full effort into doing the important work of self awareness. Participants will be expected to commit fully to the practice and the purpose of the retreat.
Discipline will include:
- Strict time table as noted below. While sessions will not be enforced as mandatory, anyone opting out of a session will be expected to take care not to disturb the group practice.
- Buddhist Five Precepts (No lying, killing, stealing, intoxication, or sexual misconduct - and for this retreat, no sexual conduct of any kind.)
- Cell phones and electronics are to be turned off for the entire retreat unless absolutely necessary.
- Noble silence between the last meditation at night and the first meditation in the morning.
- A commitment to stay for the full retreat and stay with the process as it unfolds.
- Journals and books will be allowed, but with the expectation that they support the purpose and atmosphere of the retreat.
Time Table
Weds-Sunday (Five days)
Wednesday:
3:00 PM Arrive and get settled
5:00 PM Dinner and introductions
7:00 PM Beginning Meditation and Opening Formalities
8:30 PM Noble Silence Begins - personal time until bed
Thursday - Saturday:
6:00am (optional) Movement Practice - yoga, etc.
7:00am Breakfast and Cleanup
8:00am Morning Group Meditation
* 9:00am Noble Silence ends for the duration of daytime activities
9:00am Relational Meditation in group (with breaks as needed)
11:00am Cook Lunch and Chores
12:00pm Eat Lunch/Cleanup/Personal Time
2:00pm Afternoon Group Meditation
3:00pm Relational Meditation in group (with breaks as needed)
6:00pm Dinner and Cleanup
7:00pm Evening Group Check In
7:30pm Evening Group Meditation
* 8:30pm Noble Silence begins for the duration of the night
8:30pm Personal Time until sleep
Sunday:
7:00am Breakfast
8:00am Morning Group Meditation
* 9:00am Noble Silence ends
9:00-12:00 Loving Kindness and Closing
12:00 Final Lunch, Cleanup, Goodbyes
Departure after cleanup as necessary.
Location
Location is still to be determined. I would like to do one on the west coast and one on the east coast so that it's accessible for my friends on both sides of the country. The west coast retreat will probably be held in Felton, CA (near Santa Cruz).
The location(s) will ideally be in a quiet area with some access to trails and nature.
----
That is the idea for now. More details will be added as they become available.
Be Happy
The idea is to create an intensive five day meditation retreat for a small group, that includes a relational component. There will be silent meditation, like most meditation retreats, but there will also be a meditative practice with the focus of awareness on relationship itself.
The purpose of the retreat is to cultivate awareness of our experience from moment to moment to moment, both as we go within ourselves in silent meditation, and as we relate with each other in connection. Through the cultivation of awareness, we will reveal the truth of each moment - the truth within ourselves, and the truth we see in others.
-----
I am still putting building the structure of this retreat, but here is the basic idea in a nutshell.
Minimal Facilitation
I certainly have a lot of experience facilitating, leading, teaching, and organizing these kinds of experiences, but I want the facilitation to be kept to a minimum. I also want to be a participant. I will be available for support, but the basic idea of the retreat will be of minimal facilitation from me. It will depend on self-discipline, participation from everyone, and a tight structure (see below).
Participants will be expected to already have prior experience in either meditation, or any form of deep relational work (such as circling, the diamond approach, etc.) Preferably, the participants will be very experienced and will bring a lot to share with the group, so that we all may benefit from each other's wisdom. I will lead the group into the first day of practice, and then the group will carry it's own momentum. During meditation hours, their will be an emphasis on insight meditation (vipassana), though participants may also practice whatever silent meditation technique they prefer.
The relational meditation practice will be guided at first to set the context for practice. For those familiar with the practice of "circling" it may resemble something like an "organic circle." In short, the group will speak and interact with each other in a way that maintains our awareness on the ever-changing experience of the present moment. [More information on relational meditation practice to come...]
During personal time periods, one will be able to practice according to their own preference in line with the general purpose of the retreat.
Minimal Facilities, (and work contribution from every participant)
To keep costs low, and to minimize unnecessary work, the facilities will be kept minimalist. Three meals will be eaten each day, and snacks will be available, but the meals will be kept simple and easy to prepare. Breakfast will be oatmeal, cereal, fruit, yogurt, and toast. Lunch will be the big meal of the day. Dinner will be soup, salad, and whatever fruit and snacks are available.
Each participant will be expected to do a yogi job each day, cooking, cleaning, time keeping, etc. so that the retreat can run smoothly without need for outside help.
Self Discipline
The next key principle of this retreat will be self discipline so that we can stick to a tight structure and put our full effort into doing the important work of self awareness. Participants will be expected to commit fully to the practice and the purpose of the retreat.
Discipline will include:
- Strict time table as noted below. While sessions will not be enforced as mandatory, anyone opting out of a session will be expected to take care not to disturb the group practice.
- Buddhist Five Precepts (No lying, killing, stealing, intoxication, or sexual misconduct - and for this retreat, no sexual conduct of any kind.)
- Cell phones and electronics are to be turned off for the entire retreat unless absolutely necessary.
- Noble silence between the last meditation at night and the first meditation in the morning.
- A commitment to stay for the full retreat and stay with the process as it unfolds.
- Journals and books will be allowed, but with the expectation that they support the purpose and atmosphere of the retreat.
Time Table
Weds-Sunday (Five days)
Wednesday:
3:00 PM Arrive and get settled
5:00 PM Dinner and introductions
7:00 PM Beginning Meditation and Opening Formalities
8:30 PM Noble Silence Begins - personal time until bed
Thursday - Saturday:
6:00am (optional) Movement Practice - yoga, etc.
7:00am Breakfast and Cleanup
8:00am Morning Group Meditation
* 9:00am Noble Silence ends for the duration of daytime activities
9:00am Relational Meditation in group (with breaks as needed)
11:00am Cook Lunch and Chores
12:00pm Eat Lunch/Cleanup/Personal Time
2:00pm Afternoon Group Meditation
3:00pm Relational Meditation in group (with breaks as needed)
6:00pm Dinner and Cleanup
7:00pm Evening Group Check In
7:30pm Evening Group Meditation
* 8:30pm Noble Silence begins for the duration of the night
8:30pm Personal Time until sleep
Sunday:
7:00am Breakfast
8:00am Morning Group Meditation
* 9:00am Noble Silence ends
9:00-12:00 Loving Kindness and Closing
12:00 Final Lunch, Cleanup, Goodbyes
Departure after cleanup as necessary.
Location
Location is still to be determined. I would like to do one on the west coast and one on the east coast so that it's accessible for my friends on both sides of the country. The west coast retreat will probably be held in Felton, CA (near Santa Cruz).
The location(s) will ideally be in a quiet area with some access to trails and nature.
----
That is the idea for now. More details will be added as they become available.
Be Happy
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