Visiting Us

VISITING US

DIRECTIONS & TRANSPORTATION INFO             REGISTRATION FORM

SAMPLE RETREAT SCHEDULE

During your stay at the GMDC, we encourage you to practice and observe the monastic way of life. Since the teachings emphasize practicing with the Sangha in order to enjoy its collective energy, retreatants are encouraged to participate fully in all scheduled activities. Retreatants are invited to help in communal activities, such as preparing meals, general cleaning, washing dishes etc. as a way of continuing mindfulness practice while performing everyday tasks.

The daily sample schedule will be as follows:

5:00 a.m. 6:00 a.m. 8:00 a.m. 9:00 a.m. 11:15 a.m. 12:30 p.m. after lunch 3:30 p.m. 5:15 p.m. 6:00 p.m.  7:30 p.m. 9:30 p.m.

Wake up Sitting Meditation / Chanting Breakfast Mindful Work (Chores around the monastery) or Monastic Classes Walking Meditation Lunch Rest / Personal Time Sitting Meditation & Chanting Exercise & Sports Time Dinner Personal Study or Misc. Classes Noble Silence

Since the teachings emphasize practicing with the Sangha in order to enjoy its collective energy, retreatants are encouraged to participate fully in all scheduled activities. We also ask our guests to observe the Five Wonderful Mindfulness Trainings, and thus to refrain from smoking and drinking alcohol. Please do not bring non-vegetarian foods or alcoholic beverages to our practice center.

One day per week is Lazy Day, when there are no scheduled activities and the bells are only invited to announce meal times. Lazy Day is an opportunity to let the day unfold in a natural way while still maintaining mindfulness. People can enjoy making a picnic with friends, taking a walk, reading a book, or just relaxing and enjoying the day in mindfulness within the retreat boundaries. Meditation halls may be used for purposes other than meditation only with specific permission.

 

ARRIVAL & DEPARTURE DAYS

To help make our practice stable and solid, Friday is our only arrival/departure day each week. We will give an orientation about our practice to new arrivals each Saturday, which is essential for you to really benefit from and enjoy your stay. For a deepening of the practice to occur and for mindful living to take root and become a vital part of daily life, we recommend a minimum stay of one week. If you cannot stay for one week, you can participate in our weekend program, which starts on Friday afternoons and ends on Sunday afternoons.

If you wish to stay longer than two weeks, please write a letter to the community to express your motivation beforehand. We are very happy to have friends practicing with us for longer periods of time, but the community will make the final decision only after your first two weeks with us, based on your capacity to live in harmony with the Sangha (community) and your commitment to the practice.

 

WHAT TO BRING

Towels, bed sheets, and personal items; alarm clock; flashlight and umbrella; warm clothing and footwear for rainy, windy and cold weather in winter. Trips into town are not encouraged so please bring any items that are necessary for your comfort.