December Personal Practice Retreat 2024
Flexible Dates
We are pleased to be able to once again host a 1-week personal practice retreat at Ser Chö Ösel Ling, our retreat land in Goldendale, WA. Some may sign up for the entire week and others will come for a weekend. The week or weekend of retreat will begin on a Friday December 6.
During the personal retreat time, all retreatants keep the same schedule and practice on their own in their cabins or in one of the meditation halls. Everyone gathers for meals and in the evening after dinner for a short meditation and the recitation of aspiration prayers or inspirational songs. All of the meals will be provided.
The personal retreat is an excellent way to deepen one’s practice in the support of other community members. Being able to devote more time to meditation away from our habitually busy usual environs can be very inspiring and nurturing. Each day will have periods of silence, and silence will also be observed for a number of days during the week.
Before engaging in personal retreat, it is recommended that participants have some previous experience that includes at least some facilitated group retreat and perhaps some individual retreat. The most skillful approach to personal retreat is to begin with a weekend and gradually increase the length of one’s stay. Beginning with a retreat that is beyond one’s current capacity can undermine the potential benefit of one’s stay and unnecessarily dampen enthusiasm for future retreat.
Regardless of experience, each participant will create an individualized practice plan – either by themselves or in consultation with an advisor. If you are new to personal retreat with KCC, we request that you speak with an advisor about creating an outline for your retreat in order to facilitate a meaningful experience. To design a retreat plan, you can reach out to Lama Eric by making an appointment HERE.
Registration
The number of participants for this retreat will be limited to 16 participants in single occupancy cabins only, allowing for a spacious environment. Registration will be open for retreats of a week or less until November 30, 2024.
Pricing (includes single cabin and 3 meals per day)
Per night: $90, minimum two nights.
Financial Assistance: Financial Assistance (up to 50% of the retreat cost) may be available for individuals with financial constraints. The number of FA available depends entirely on donations to the Financial Assistance Fund. For those who can afford it, please consider contributing to the Financial Assistance Fund so that others who are less financially fortunate are able to attend KCC retreats.
To apply for Financial Assistance, review the KCC Financial Assistance Policy. Once you have read the policy guidelines, contact the Financial Assistance Team at KCC-FA@kcc.org. After you have received confirmation, you may register for the retreat.
Meals and Chores
Three vegetarian meals will be served daily. Retreatants are expected to contribute up to one hour per day toward chores that will be done during the three meal breaks.
Group Schedule
Arrival Day
PM
2:00-4:00 Arrival & Check In
5:30 Dinner
6:45-7:30 Group Practice
Full Days
AM
6:00-7:20 Practice Session
7:30 Breakfast
9:00-10:30 Practice Session
10:30-11:00 Tea Break
11:00-12:00 Practice Session
PM
12:10 Lunch
2:00-3:30 Practice Session
3:30-4:00 Tea Break
4:00-5:15 Practice Session
5:30 Dinner
6:45-7:30 Group Practice
Departure Day
AM
6:00-7:20 Practice Session
7:30 Breakfast
8:00 Clean up & Departure
Category : 5120 Retreat SCOL