You will be provided a schedule to follow upon arrival, similar to the one below. There is some variation between retreats, as some might include more or less movement, chanting, music, Q&A, reflections in dyads, individual or small group meetings/interviews with the teacher.
Arrival Day:
4-6pm Check-In
4:30-5:30pm Optional Grounds Tour with SDRC Staff
6pm Orientation followed by Dinner
Opening session with your teacher(s) could begin as early at 7:30pm and end as late at 9:45pm
Noble Silence usually begins upon leaving the Meditation Hall
10pm Lights out
Full Retreat Days:
6:30am Wake up
6:45am First sitting period
7:30am Breakfast
8:30am Working meditation
9:45am Morning Sit
11am Walking Meditation
11:30am Sitting Meditation
12:30pm Lunch
1pm Personal time
2:30pm Sitting Meditation
3pm Mindful Movement (yoga, qi gong, etc)
3:45pm Sitting Meditation
4:30pm Heart Practice
5:30pm Walking Meditation
6pm Dinner
7:30pm Evening Talk
8:30pm Walking Meditation
9pm Closing Sit
10pm Lights out
Departure Day:
Similar morning program followed by end of Noble Silence at lunch and departure by 2:00pm
While on retreat, we encourage you to practice putting down your ideas of how the schedule “should” be. It is natural to feel constriction regarding a new routine that varies from your daily customs. Instead of resisting, allow yourself this opportunity to notice and tenderly let go. Retreat is a radical opportunity to sink into a rhythm where you don’t have to plan or constantly check your phone… just be.
Additionally, since we live and practice in close community here, it’s important to respect the schedule so as not to disrupt others. Together, we co-create the community and atmosphere of each retreat.