Description
The Buddha said that everything rests on the tip of one’s intention. Wise intention is the energy that moves all spiritual practices forward. The beginning of a new year is an auspicious time to reflect upon and set new intentions to support our lives. In this retreat, we will learn about wise intention as outlined in the Buddha’s classical teachings of the Eightfold Noble Path, with an emphasis on non-harm, non-cruelty, and surrendering to the present moment.
We will learn to collectively plant the seeds of our intentions, letting go of the need to control outcomes, and opening to the natural, joyful unfolding of our lives. Inspired by Henry David Thoreau’s invitation to “live deliberately,” we aspire to walk a conscious and awakened path to meet whatever arises in the coming year.
This retreat will be supportive for both beginning and more experienced meditators. Our day together will include talks, sitting and walking meditation, and learning from one another. There will be time for discussion so that we can explore the unique circumstances and practice questions of as many people in the group as possible.
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.
- Retreat Meal Dana: In keeping with tradition, we invite you to sponsor a retreat meal as a simple and meaningful act of generosity. You can share a dedication of your generosity, perhaps to someone in your life, a special occasion, or an aspiration. Please contact the office for more information on offering Meal Dana for this retreat.
- 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.