The schedule and what happens
in retreats in our network varies somewhat from one teacher to
the next. What is common is that there are periods for sitting
meditation (usually between 30 and 45 minutes, occasionally an
hour), an instruction period (usually one or two per day, sometimes
in the form of a guided meditation), a dharma talk and meetings
in a small group or privately with a (or the) teacher. These
meetings often happen in walking periods or breaks.
There is also a yoga or exercise
period in the morning, sometimes another later in the day, walking
meditation periods and free time. And there is a work period:
usually 45 minutes to help with food preparation, meal clean-up
or generally keeping the place clean. Having a work period helps
keep the cost of the retreat down.
It's not necessary to go to
everything on the schedule. Sometimes people sleep in and don't
go to the early morning yoga. Or they might get up early but
go for a walk. Sometimes in the first few days of a retreat people
get tired and they might go to bed early or nap sometime in the
afternoon. It's also not necessary to be able to sit for long
periods on a meditation cushion on the floor. If you can only
sit in a chair, that's fine. Upright chairs are recommended.
For the functioning of the
retreat people need to turn up to the work period or do their
job if it outside a work period (eg wash-up after dinner). In
general people are encouraged to do as much of the program as
they can.
The following is an example
of one retreat schedule we use (one used by Subhana Barzaghi):
5:45 Wake Up
6:00 Yoga or Exercise
6:45 Sit (ie Meditation)
7:30 Breakfast
8:15 – 9:15 Work Period
9:30 Meditation Instructions & Sit
10:30 Walk
11:15 Sit
12:00 Walk
12:30 Lunch – Rest
2:00 Inquiry or Guided Meditation
3:00 Yoga
4:00 Sit
4:45 Walk & Stand
5:00 Light Meal
6:30 – 7:00 Sit, followed by 10 min break
7:10 Dharma Talk
8:00 Standing Meditation
8:30 Evening Poetry / Sit
9:15 Rest
The following is an example
of another:
5.00 Wake up
5.30 – 7.00 Posture & flexibility/Sitting
7.00 – 7.45 Breakfast
7.45 – 8.30 Work period
8.30 – 9.15 Practice talk
9.15 – 10.00 Walking
10.00 – 10.45 Sitting
10.45 – 11.30 Walking
11.30 – 12.15 Sitting
12.15 – 2.15 Lunch/Rest
2.15 – 3.00 Walking
3.00 – 3.45 Sitting
3.45 – 4.30 Walking
4.30 – 5.15 Sitting
5.15 – 6.00 Walking
6.00 – 6.45 Sitting
6.45 – 7.45 Supper
7.45 – 8.45 Dharma talk
8.45 – 10.00 Practice period
10.00 Sleep or further practice
Some retreats have breaks rather
than walking meditation. Some don't have scheduled sitting periods.
Insight Dialogue retreats and Stillness in Action programs are
different again but still have some features of the schedules
here.
Retreats are conducted in silence, meaning that apart from talking
to the manager and the teacher(s) there is no talking apart from
necessary communication. While this can be strange for new people
in the beginning, it doesn't take long to become accustomed to
it (even like it) and it tends to help quieten the mind.
The retreats in our network
are quite different from the ten day Vipassana retreats run under
the guidance of S.N. Goenka. (eg at Blackheath in NSW or at Pomona
in Queensland). They differ in the schedule, the mix of activities,
the atmosphere and the type of meditation (even though they are
both called "Vipassana").
Retreats are opportunities
to settle and allow a calmness and focus to develop in a supportive
environment. Some people have their own issues they wish to work
through and find the quiet space useful for that. Other people
are more intent on getting to know what Insight Meditation is
about, or they know what it is about and see the retreat as an
opportunity to practice.
The food on our retreats is
vegetarian and usually some special dietary needs can be catered
for.
While the cost of the retreat
includes food and accommodation, it does not include any payment
to the teacher. A box is put out for donations (known as "dana")
for the teacher. Buddhist teachings and practices were passed
on for centuries by monks and nuns who were supported just by
donations and we keep to that spirit by not putting a price on
the teachings themselves. Some teachers depend completely on
donations for their income, others take time off work to lead
retreats.
Usually the silence is lifted
before the end of the retreat and participants have an opportunity
to get to know each other. Retreats often end with a closing
circle where anyone who is inclined can talk briefly about their
experience.
Each retreat has a contact person and you can find out more beforehand
about what is proposed for a particular retreat from them.
