October 25 to 27, 2024  –  Hours: Friday check-in is from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm  End time: Sunday 2:30 pm

[Sat Oct 12, 7:00 – 8:00pm required pre-retreat meeting on Zoom]
Fri Oct 25, 3:00pm – 8:00pm
Sat Oct 26, 8:00am – 8:00pm
Sun Oct 27, 8:00am – 2:30pm

Non-residential retreats provide a unique opportunity for intensive meditation practice, in-person with others, while also allowing one to stay in their own bedroom at night. For some, a non-residential retreat allows them to become familiar with residential retreats before signing up for one. For others, a non-residential retreat allows them to practice intensely, while also being available in the evenings for other responsibilities they may have. Whatever the reason for attending a non-residential retreat, it is a wonderful opportunity to deepen one’s practice and practice in-person with others.

This retreat, offered on a late Friday afternoon and evening, all day on Saturday and much of the day on Sunday, will provide a similar experience to a weekend residential retreat. The retreat, at Hidden Villa Dana Center, in Los Altos, CA, will be a silent mindfulness retreat with alternating sitting and walking meditation, instruction, dharma talks, work meditation, and practice discussions with the teachers. It will be oriented toward those who have less retreat experience, but is suitable for both beginners and experienced practitioners.

This retreat is offered freely, in the spirit of generosity, at no cost to anyone who participates. We are entirely supported by a community of teachers, practitioners, volunteers and donors whose generosity is the foundation for our retreat offerings. With no paid staff, our retreats express the integration of practice, service, and goodwill of all who participate. Most of the financial support for these retreats comes from donations participants offer at the end of retreats. Their generosity is what allows others to participate in future retreats.

Please join us for a 5-day silent retreat focusing on the cultivation of natural awareness, relaxation and skillful understanding of our moment-to-moment experience. This retreat will be offered in the teaching style of meditation master Sayadaw U Tejaniya, who emphasizes approaching meditation with relaxed interest and allowing experience to be known in a simple way as it unfolds naturally. There will be alternating periods of sitting and walking meditation. There will be daily instructions, reflections and group practice discussions, offered by the teachers.

Simple vegetarian meals will be provided. The accommodations include rustic yet cozy dormitory-style cabins, with the option to set up your own tent on a platform for those who prefer to camp. Full shared bathrooms are in a separate building. The property is set in a wooded area adjacent to a community garden and petting zoo, with nearby hiking trails. There is also the option to commute to this retreat; if you’d like to make use of this option, please indicate this on the registration form.

This retreat is offered freely, as a gift to those who attend—there is no cost. Donations by those who attend make it possible to pass this gift forward to others who attend IRC off-site retreats.

For more information, or to sign up to receive an email when registration opens, please email retreats@brightdharma.nl

Registration opens August 1, 2024 – please check back then

• Questions: Contact the Registrar: Sandra,   sandra@insightretreatcenter.org