RETREAT DESCRIPTION
Samatha is a Buddhist term that is often translated as “tranquility of the mind.” The Pali Canon describes it as one of two qualities of mind which is developed in Buddhist meditation, the other being vipassanā (clear seeing). When these two qualities are balanced, meditation can yield deeper results.
Over the course of this retreat we will cultivate and learn how to balance and employ these two qualities in our practice. Within this balanced experience, we will begin to explore entering into awareness of mind as a liberating practice. This practice can flow off-cushion, bringing freedom from vexation into everyday life.
This retreat will be held in noble silence and is open to beginning and experienced students. The retreat content will include:
• Learning to cultivate and balance samatha (tranquility) and vipassanā (clear seeing)
• Entries into expansive, effortless awareness
• Developing paññā (liberating wisdom)
• Opportunities to tap-in to welcoming and kindness
• Instruction for practicing in various postures and throughout daily life
• Breathing exercises, guidance on meditation posture and self-massage
• Optional daily qi gong
Partial attendance is not offered on this retreat. Additionally, please consider attending this retreat only if your current life circumstances allow you to engage in an important modern renunciation practice of staying offline and off phone/text during the entire course of the retreat (some exceptions related to pressing family situations may be granted.)
2023 CURRENT COVID-19 PROTOCOLS:
A vaccination requirement is still in place for all participants on this retreat. Follow this link for more information about the vaccine requirement, including an avenue for medical exemption.
Participants will be housed in single sleeping rooms.
We require the following schedule of rapid testing with negative results: 1) on the Tuesday prior to the retreat stat; 2) on the Friday start-day of the retreat; and 3) on Monday during the retreat for any retreats longer than 3 nights.
We continue to require all retreatants, **teachers and staff to remain masked until all participants conduct the Monday testing with negative results. At that point masking becomes optional. (**With consent of the group, teachers will teach without masks starting the first night but remain masked along with the group at all other times.)
The retreat container will be constructed in accordance with the current covid-19 conditions at the time to maximize individual and group health. All participants will be required to follow all covid-19 health and safety guidelines in place at Cloud Mountain. We reserve the right to adjust expectations of acceptable behaviors within the retreat environment to respond most appropriately to covid-19 conditions. PLEASE FOLLOW THIS LINK FOR UPDATED INFORMATION ABOUT OUR COVID-19 HEALTH AND SAFETY PROTOCOLS.
SCHOLARSHIP INFO
Scholarship funds are available on all retreats to assist those with financial challenges. For more information, read the Scholarship section of our overview information.
RETREAT COST
Subsidized fee : $350 plus dana offerings to teacher(s) and staff
Sustaining fee : $400 plus dana offerings to teacher(s) and staff
Supporting fee : $450 plus dana offerings to teacher(s) and staff
Following in the Buddhist tradition, none of your registration fee will go to the teacher(s). Please consider offering teacher dāna at the event to support their livelihood. (Dāna is a term for generosity, or freely offered giving. You can find more information about this way of offering the teachings and the "economy of gifts" on our Donation page.)
