One-Day Retreat
What to expect at a day-long retreat
- Meditation instruction – how to deal with body, breath, and mind
- Sitting and walking meditation
- Discussions of some of the lectures and sutras from great teachers
- Chanting and reading sutras
- A vegetarian lunch (eating as mindful practice)
- Private time to work on your personal meditation practice
- Work as mindful practice
Please plan on attending. $40.00 suggested donation.
We’d rather have you here than your money – Don’t let finances stop you from attending.
A One-Day Retreat might be considered a very special day, it is also a very ordinary day. We are living our lives with more or less awareness. We observe thoughts and experience body sensations. We touch, smell, listen, look, no different from any other day, yet on this day we take the time to be mindful of everything we do, studying the Buddha way.
During retreats, or at any time in our daily lives, turning our full attention to the activity of the moment is to collect the mind. This means when it’s time to eat, just eat, and when it’s time to sit, just sit. Usually when we do a given activity, our attention is elsewhere. The quiet environment and simplified schedule of retreat allows us to concentrate on a single activity.
Attending a Retreat is an opportunity to cultivate concentration and awareness. We step back and slow down from our usual busy lives to engage with full attention, whatever it is we are doing. Please tend to outside personal business before taking up this Retreat opportunity.
2+ Day Retreats
Retreats at the MAZBT can last from 2 to 90 days. A retreat is an extended meditation that includes sitting meditation, chanting, Dharma talks, mindful work assignments, and a private meeting with the teacher. There is a nominal fee of $85, However, no one is turned away for lack of funds.
During retreats, or at any time in our daily lives, turning our full attention to the activity of the moment is to collect the mind. This means when it’s time to eat, just eat, and when it’s time to sit, just sit. Usually when we do a given activity, our attention is elsewhere. The quiet environment and simplified schedule of retreat allows us to concentrate on a single activity.
Attending a Retreat is an opportunity to cultivate concentration and awareness. We step back and slow down from our usual busy lives to engage with full attention, whatever it is we are doing. Please tend to outside personal business before taking up this Retreat opportunity.
Participants are required to stay for the entire duration of the Retreat.
Structure
Personal retreats are unstructured. You are on your own to follow your heart and practice however it feels best. You have at your disposal 23+ acres to wander, a labyrinth and two walking platforms for walking meditation, one or two daily services you are welcome to attend in the temple (except Sundays), meditation huts, two temples in which you are welcome to meditate, a library (coming soon), and one resident dog to play with. If you prefer some structure, we can share a sample schedule with you, but your retreat will still be self led. “In Silence” badges are available if you prefer a silence for all or part of your retreat.
What do you need to bring?
- Loose, comfortable, clean clothing
- Work clothes (they may get dirty)
- Sleeping bag, pillow (for those planning to stay overnight)
- Extra clothes for work and meditation (for retreats three days and longer)
- Toiletries
- Hand towel & shower towel
Do not bring:
- Alcohol
- Tobacco products
- Any non prescription drugs
- Charms, fortune telling supplies, or talismans
- Candy, snacks, gum, mints unless medically required
It is a time to put everything aside, to forget everything and to focus all one’s inquiring spirit through the practice of Mindful Meditation and Intent.
Each Retreat will have its own schedule. Please check out times etc. on the calendar.