Description
In the Buddha’s teachings, the body is our first home and our first teacher. The practice of mindfulness begins here—not as an abstract idea, but as a direct, lived experience of breathing, standing, walking, sitting, and moving through the world. When we learn to inhabit the body with awareness, we begin to step out of habitual thinking and into the immediacy of the present moment. The body becomes a refuge, revealing a quiet wisdom that has always been available beneath the momentum of our thoughts.
This daylong retreat offers an opportunity to explore embodiment as a path of awakening within the support of community. Through periods of sitting and walking meditation, mindful movement, contemplative ritual, silent reflection, and Dharma teachings, we will cultivate a deeper intimacy with our embodied experience. Together we will investigate how awareness of the body can steady the heart, regulate the nervous system, and open us to greater presence, compassion, and connection with ourselves and one another.
Practicing in community reminds us that embodiment is not only personal—it is relational. As we gather in shared silence and practice, we discover that our individual awareness contributes to a larger field of mindfulness, kindness, and belonging. This retreat is an invitation to slow down, reconnect with the intelligence of the body, and experience the simple yet profound freedom of being fully present, exactly as we are.
This retreat is suitable for both beginning and experienced meditators. The day will include guided and silent meditation, mindful movement, Dharma talks, opportunities for reflection, and time for questions and discussion. Everyone is warmly welcome.
Attending an in-person retreat
- CIMC is a refuge. Out of compassion for those with chemical sensitivities, please avoid using scented products—lotions, deodorant, after-shave, hair products, perfume, clothes laundered with scented detergent, or dryer sheets—before you come to the Center.
- Please arrive at least 20 minutes early to check in and find a comfortable place in the meditation hall.
- Parking at CIMC is limited; we suggest you take public transportation to the Center whenever possible.
- Retreats are held in silence. Please power off your cell phone, smartwatch, and other electronic devices for the retreat. All phones, pagers, beeping watches, and other electronic devices must remain completely turned off while you are at the Center.
- Please leave your shoes on the shoe shelves on the first floor and keep your valuables with you.
- We provide vegetarian meals at day-long, weekend, and multi-day retreats. We are unable to accommodate special dietary needs, however. If you have dietary restrictions, we invite you to bring your own vegetarian meal. Please note that nuts may be used in our kitchen.
- The meditation halls do not allow food and beverages, including water.
- We strongly recommend you dress in layers since the temperature in the meditation hall varies throughout the day. The hall thermostat is set to a comfortable temperature range; however, it’s best to have a range of clothing options, as individual preferences for warmth or coolness differ widely and cannot be accommodated.
- Masks are optional. Some masks are available at the entrance of the Center.
- CIMC provides zafus (round cushions), zabutons (large mats), meditation benches, blankets, and chairs. At the end of the program, we request that participants brush off their zabutons and plump up their zafus. All other items should be returned neatly to where they belong.
- Hearing Assistive Devices are available in the Meditation Hall. The wireless receiver has a standard headphone jack, and we provide headphones and neck loops.