Description
How do the three “characteristics”—more directly translated as the three perceptions—fit into the Buddha’s teachings on suffering and the end of suffering? Impermanence (anicca, in Pali), suffering (dukkha, in Pali), and non-self (anatta, in Pali) – while words are imperfect, these are the words the Buddha chose to name what can change in our present-moment perception. Changing our present-moment perception allows our present moment experience to be liberated by nature itself. It can become utterly natural for us to be in harmony with what is right here.
Suffering, struggle, and stress are caused by misunderstanding life here in this present moment. When we replace areas of misunderstanding with understanding right here and now, we can feel, perceive, know, and respond in harmony with what is here.
But how do we develop understanding, and what exactly is understood? As it turns out, for greater understanding we need to develop our attention (go figure!). That is why mindfulness is the means for liberation.
The Buddha suggested that when we pay attention mindfully, and when the conditions are ripe, we can relax into presence with the three characteristics of existence: impermanence, where we had mistakenly perceived permanence; unsatisfactoriness, where we had mistakenly perceived lasting satisfaction (or the potential for it); and the experience of ourselves as more than any separating, fixed, and limited ideas of who we are.
In this day-long meditation retreat, we will come together to nurture our understanding and perception of the first of these three characteristic perceptions: impermanence. We will practice feeling life moment-to-moment with the recognition that not only what is known is impermanent, but that knowing itself is impermanent, just as all experiencing can be felt here and now as liberatingly impermanent.
The schedule for the day includes periods of sitting and walking meditation, a break for lunch, guided instructions offered by the teacher, and time for Q&A.
This program is appropriate for both beginners and experienced practitioners alike. Everyone is 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.
- 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.
Attending an online retreat
- Sitting a retreat at home and online is undoubtedly different from coming to a meditation center. Tending to your comfort and giving yourself a quiet, private sitting and walking space (if possible, in your environment) will help keep your attention focused and support your practice and learning. Plan to bring as much simplicity and ease to your day as possible. The retreat schedule is structured to support your well-being and training with regular breaks and time for mindful movement.
- We will use Zoom for this retreat. Before your retreat begins, be sure to download Zoom and familiarize yourself with using the program, including the chat feature. Specifics about how we will use Zoom during your retreat will be covered initially; however, we cannot provide technical support.
- We ask that you treat our virtual meditation hall as if we were together in person, in the same room. The teachers and other yogis benefit significantly from your full presence and careful attention.
- Join each session of the retreat a few minutes early. This will support the teachers and your fellow retreatants.
- Please maintain noble silence as much as possible for the duration of the retreat and take any necessary steps to limit external distractions such as incoming emails, texts, or other interruptions to maintain the integrity of our practice together.
- Close all programs on your computer other than Zoom and turn off all notifications on your devices.
- Ideally, power off phones and smartwatches for the entire time scheduled for the retreat each day. Please don’t check your devices during breaks. We suggest you put an “away” message on your email and voicemail and leave your devices in another room during your retreat hours.
- Please keep your video on during our time together as much as possible. This supports a sense of connectedness and sangha.
- You will receive a welcome email from CIMC that includes the Zoom link, retreat schedule, and further information a day or two before your retreat.