Metta Retreat with Prasadachitta
September 27 to October 4 at Dharmadhara, with Weekend option
This retreat will focus on Metta, or Loving Kindness — a practice of cultivating goodwill, connection, and care for oneself and others. Open to all levels of experience, it includes optional introductory sessions for those new to meditation, as well as time for personal reflection, walks in nature, and practice in a supportive group setting. We will observe periods of silence throughout the retreat to support mindfulness and deepen our meditation practice, while still allowing space for guidance, connection, and questions as needed.
HEALTH AND SAFETY
Please check all our requirements here.
FOOD AND WORK PERIODS
All food is vegan, with eggs and dairy options on the side. To simplify cooking and cleaning in silence we have a cook to organize lunch and dinner, and everyone on the retreat chooses a task that they can do every day – either preparing breakfast, chopping vegetables, or cleaning dishes. If you have a preference please let us know in advance. There is also a clean up session that we all share at the end of the retreat.
ACCOMMODATION
Dharmadhara is a rustic residence with a very beautiful shrine room, located in Lake County – about 2.5 to 3 hours North of San Francisco. The main building has a kitchen, dining room, sitting room with wood burning stove, 7 small dorms, some with 2 beds, some with 3 beds, 3 indoor toilets and 2 showers. There are no private rooms and we ask that you come prepared, with good earplugs and a willingness to practice forbearance towards your roommate/s. If you do not feel comfortable sharing a room with others we may be able to find space in the living room or shrine room for one or two people, but this is not guaranteed, so please get in touch about this before you register. There is also the option to camp, although it will be cold, and possibly raining or snowing.
TRAVEL AND CARPOOLING
We encourage carpooling. If you need help organizing a ride please let us know and we will do our best to get you there. If you are driving and can offer rides, please also let us know. Thank you!
I’m sorry that we cannot arrange airport or train station pickups.
TIMING AND COST
The retreat is seven nights, beginning by 5pm Saturday Sep 27, and ending Saturday Oct 4 by 11pm. There will be also be a “weekend” option from Saturday 27 to Monday 29 after lunch.
To reserve your space please pay the full amount or a $200 deposit. Deposits becomes non-refundable after the booking deadline of Sep 13.
Retreat Requirements: Regulars, Mitras, Order Members