Directed Solo Cultivation (Meditation) Retreat~ Scholarship Eligible
Open Dates
DSCM Retreat – Directed Solo Cultivation (Meditation) Retreat
The Buddha recommended that the yogi go to the forest, sit ALONE at the root of a tree and meditate! Group practice is a more contemporary and convenient mode of training. The DSCM program offers something in between facilitated group practice and solo practice as the Buddha recommended! It offers meditation instruction, an individual, but structured, scheduled formal sitting period of 6 to 8 hours daily (silent, sadhana or vajrayana practice) and one daily check in with meditation teacher. The retreat’s primary focus is to support individuals who wish to deepen their sitting meditation practice. retreatant is required to attend the noon Dharma talk on Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday, attend daily group morning meditation 7am to 8am , participate in service meditation, and if there is a teacher-led group meditation retreat being held while you’re here, you’ll have the option to sit with that group with permission of the facilitator. You may supplement your meditation with journaling, exercise, health and fasting protocols, choir, gardening, art, music, etc. The objective is to assist you in developing the capacity for intensive meditation. Your schedule will be created consistent with your purpose and capacity. You can choose to hold your retreat wholly in silence, or to mindfully engage with the residential community and other retreatants.
Meditation retreats can be as short as a few days, to pause and refresh your practice, or can be long-term retreats of a month or more, providing an opportunity to go much deeper into meditation practice with guidance.
Accommodations
Rooms for meditation retreats are single, private, rooms, with a private bathroom.
You can practice in your room, or in one of our meditation halls. Our grounds and walking paths are available for walking meditation, and you can also walk around nearby Lake Osceola. If you have access to a car, there are many beautiful hikes in the local area. We have an on-site laundry facility, a library, and a comfortable community room, with plenty of couches for reading or spiritual conversation. You can view our accommodations here.
Meals
For both short- and long-term solo retreats, whether directed or self-directed, retreatants have a great deal of flexibility with their meals so that they can eat when it best suits their schedule. Retreatants prepare their own breakfast and fix their own plates for main meal and supper in the residents’ kitchen (not the main dining hall). The meals are primarily vegetarian. Food is not allowed in your room, but you’re welcome to bring any special food, teas, or coffee you wish to have. These can be labeled with your name and kept in the kitchen for your personal use.
Yogi Duties
Retreatants are responsible for keeping their room and bathroom clean, and for cleaning up after themselves in the kitchen. Retreatants also offer about ten hours per week of light work to the community.
Lodging Cost
$99 per night, for stays less than one month (up to $1500), linen provided
$1,500 for 30 days
$1,200 for the second consecutive month
$900 for the third consecutive month and any additional months thereafter.
Dana
The lodging cost for your self-directed retreat does not include dana to the teachers. You are encouraged to offer dana at the end of your retreat. You can read more about this ancient practice here.
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THIS IS A SCHOLARSHIP ELIGIBLE PROGRAM IF YOU MEET THE CRITERIA
Categories : all retreats, Self-Directed Retreat