The four Vipallasa or distortions are:
• seeing what is impermanent as permanent,
• seeing what is painful as pleasant,
• seeing what is without a self as a self, and
• seeing what is not beautiful as beautiful.

This is a concise framework identifying the ways in which we misapprehend reality. Dispelling these distortions leads to seeing the way things actually are: Enlightenment. The poems of the awakened early Buddhist nuns describe this breakthrough. As we explore this practice and draw upon the encouragement of these enlightened women, we find that we too can do this work.

The foundation of the Ayyas’ teachings will be the early Buddhist texts.

The following attendance prerequisites are currently in place in order to provide the safest possible retreat environment under covid-19 conditions. In order for your registration to be accepted, we require that you:

1. Currently follow all covid-19 health and safety protocols recommended by the CDC, including mask-wearing, social distancing and hand hygiene.
2. Agree to abide by all covid-19 health and safety protocols in place at Cloud Mountain.
3. Have already successfully attended at least one silent, residential meditation retreat of any length at Cloud Mountain OR at least two silent, residential meditation retreat of any length at two different retreat centers.
4. Are willing to closely coordinate your travel plans with Cloud Mountain, so we can provide you with the best options based on covid-19 travel restrictions in place.

Each participant will have a single room, and personal “safety bubbles” will be created in accordance with the current covid-19 conditions at the time to maximize individual and group health. We reserve the right to amend these prerequisites and policies according to changing covid-19 conditions. PLEASE FOLLOW THIS LINK FOR UPDATED INFORMATION ABOUT OUR COVID-19 HEALTH AND SAFETY PROTOCOLS.

Scholarship funds are available on all retreats to assist those with financial challenges. For more information, read the Scholarship section of our overview information.