Much of our effort and energy as human beings is spent strategizing about how to get life, ourselves, and others to more closely resemble how we think everything should be. Although this may be normal, the Buddha recognized that this tendency prevents us from fully experiencing and understanding life as it is actually unfolding within and around us moment to moment. Through the process of meditation, we can cultivate a new way of relating to ourselves and our experience – one based in natural openness and wisdom rather than driven by wanting and not-wanting. By practicing in silence and with others on retreat, we are able to more clearly see life as it actually is, and awaken our potential for freedom.

This retreat will be held in Noble silence and we will offer instruction in both insight (vipassana) meditation and loving-kindness (metta) meditation. It will include periods of sitting, walking, chanting, and mindful movement. In addition to daily dhamma talks, there will be opportunities for dialogue with the teachers as well as small group discussions. Both new and experienced meditators are welcome.

Please note: due to covid-19 concerns, we have had to set new criteria in place to attend this retreat:
1.   Applicants must agree to fully comply with Cloud Mountain’s covid-19 health and safety protocols, including mask-wearing, social distancing and hand hygiene.
2.   Applicants need to have attended at least one prior retreat at Cloud Mountain within the last 3 years.
3.   Applicants must live in WA, OR or northern CA AND can drive between your home and Cloud Mountain in one-day.