Buddhist meditation retreat in the eastern US/Canada?
March 5, 2013 5:12 PM Subscribe
I'm looking for a good meditation retreat center somewhere not too far from the midwest. I'm interested in vipassana meditation, although I wouldn't mind branching out. Mainly I want to find a place with good teachers.
I'm in my 30's, and I've been practicing Buddhist meditation on and off for the last several years. I did my first meditation retreat in 2007 and loved it--I had a bliss-out that lasted several hours--and I've been hooked on meditation retreats ever since then.
My first few retreats were at Spirit Rock in California, and I would love to go back there again but it's a little too far for me since I live in the midwest. I'm looking for a place that I can get to with a single day's travel. I've tried Insight Meditation Society, which was also good, and I'd like to know what else is out there.
The things that I'm looking for most are: (1) lots of periods of communal silence, (2) nice natural scenery (hopefully with mild weather), and (3) good teachers who radiant joy and intelligence. (And, let's say, also a medium-to-high level of comfort. I'm not ready for the more austere Buddhist retreats...)
Item (3) is probably the most important. (BTW, I'm kind of analytically-minded, and I tend to like teachers who are the same.)
I've done vipassana retreats so far, and would like to do something similar but wouldn't mind branching out a little. Any recommendations would be much appreciated. Recommendations for specific retreats would also be good. (I'm aiming to go some time in the next 6 months.)
P.S.: No, this is not an ad for either Spirit Rock or IMS, and I don't have a financial interest in either. :)
I'm in my 30's, and I've been practicing Buddhist meditation on and off for the last several years. I did my first meditation retreat in 2007 and loved it--I had a bliss-out that lasted several hours--and I've been hooked on meditation retreats ever since then.
My first few retreats were at Spirit Rock in California, and I would love to go back there again but it's a little too far for me since I live in the midwest. I'm looking for a place that I can get to with a single day's travel. I've tried Insight Meditation Society, which was also good, and I'd like to know what else is out there.
The things that I'm looking for most are: (1) lots of periods of communal silence, (2) nice natural scenery (hopefully with mild weather), and (3) good teachers who radiant joy and intelligence. (And, let's say, also a medium-to-high level of comfort. I'm not ready for the more austere Buddhist retreats...)
Item (3) is probably the most important. (BTW, I'm kind of analytically-minded, and I tend to like teachers who are the same.)
I've done vipassana retreats so far, and would like to do something similar but wouldn't mind branching out a little. Any recommendations would be much appreciated. Recommendations for specific retreats would also be good. (I'm aiming to go some time in the next 6 months.)
P.S.: No, this is not an ad for either Spirit Rock or IMS, and I don't have a financial interest in either. :)
SGI which spreads Buddhism based on the key findings, Lotus Sutra, has such retreats. I would recommend this book also if you interested in further exploring Buddhism as a religion that helps overcome obstacles in your life.
posted by pakora1 at 5:36 PM on March 5, 2013
posted by pakora1 at 5:36 PM on March 5, 2013
Not sure if this is too far, but there's Karmê Chöling, a Shambhala Buddhist meditation center in Barnet, Vermont.
Here are some of their upcoming introductory retreats. If you'd like a lengthier retreat, they offer a summer dathün that lasts for a month, but it can also be broken up into week(thün)s.
posted by divined by radio at 8:15 PM on March 5, 2013
Here are some of their upcoming introductory retreats. If you'd like a lengthier retreat, they offer a summer dathün that lasts for a month, but it can also be broken up into week(thün)s.
posted by divined by radio at 8:15 PM on March 5, 2013
The Insight Meditation Community of Washington (IMCW) has several retreats each year near DC. I believe the next week-long ones are coming up in May and October. There are always participants from all over the country. The lead teacher is Tara Brach. In my opinion, she and the other teachers radiate joy and intelligence. The retreats are structured basically just like the ones at IMS. And the location is gorgeous farmland with lots of wooded paths for wandering.
posted by zahava at 8:45 PM on March 5, 2013 [4 favorites]
posted by zahava at 8:45 PM on March 5, 2013 [4 favorites]
Here's a list of Vipassana Meditation retreats/courses - just go to the North America page.
Also note on the page "There are no charges for the courses - not even to cover the cost of food and accommodation. All expenses are met by donations from people who, having completed a course and experienced the benefits of Vipassana, wish to give others the opportunity to also benefit. "
posted by cellura p at 2:27 AM on March 6, 2013
Also note on the page "There are no charges for the courses - not even to cover the cost of food and accommodation. All expenses are met by donations from people who, having completed a course and experienced the benefits of Vipassana, wish to give others the opportunity to also benefit. "
posted by cellura p at 2:27 AM on March 6, 2013
there are two from thich hat Hahn lineage - he is a zen master from Vietnam.
these are
- new York state - blue cliff http://m.bluecliffmonastery.org/
- Mississippi - magnolia grove. http://magnoliagrovemonastery.org/
both should do well on your 3 criteria
posted by zia at 4:57 AM on March 6, 2013 [3 favorites]
these are
- new York state - blue cliff http://m.bluecliffmonastery.org/
- Mississippi - magnolia grove. http://magnoliagrovemonastery.org/
both should do well on your 3 criteria
posted by zia at 4:57 AM on March 6, 2013 [3 favorites]
A few years ao I went to a weekend retreat at the Bhavana Society that suprenant links to. I had a great experience there. I think it would meet all three of your criteria.
posted by indognito at 5:57 AM on March 6, 2013
posted by indognito at 5:57 AM on March 6, 2013
Susan Piver is awesome, and she's in Cleveland next month.
posted by jbickers at 6:43 AM on March 6, 2013
posted by jbickers at 6:43 AM on March 6, 2013
The Bhavana Society notes: 'Retreatants are required to follow the eight monastery precepts, including not eating after noon.' That sounds like more austerity than melaleuca is seeking.
posted by feral_goldfish at 11:25 AM on March 6, 2013
posted by feral_goldfish at 11:25 AM on March 6, 2013
Thich Nhat Hahn is a rock star teacher: brilliant, but super-accessible; charismatic in that way that makes a person feel like a revelation; and apparently a total sweetheart. He's also a perfect choice for venturing into another Buddhist tradition without abandoning your Vipassana comfort zone. You might test for resonance by dipping into The Sun My Heart. Thay is on tour August-October, which is a bit later than your desired window, but reservations probably need to be made that far ahead anyhow given his level of celebrity. (Warning: might be costly.)
Tara Brach is extremely highly regarded. I've taken a workshop with Pat Coffey, who sometimes co-teaches with her, and he was solidly helpful.
posted by feral_goldfish at 12:00 PM on March 6, 2013 [1 favorite]
Tara Brach is extremely highly regarded. I've taken a workshop with Pat Coffey, who sometimes co-teaches with her, and he was solidly helpful.
posted by feral_goldfish at 12:00 PM on March 6, 2013 [1 favorite]
Response by poster: It's true, I'm not so keen on following all eight precepts--five is enough. :) (I'm so lame, I don't even want to get up before 5am...)
Anyway, I appreciate the recommendations, and more are welcome.
posted by melaleuca at 6:32 PM on March 6, 2013
Anyway, I appreciate the recommendations, and more are welcome.
posted by melaleuca at 6:32 PM on March 6, 2013
Just an FYI:
"SGI which spreads Buddhism based on the key findings, Lotus Sutra, has such retreats. I would recommend this book also if you interested in further exploring Buddhism as a religion that helps overcome obstacles in your life."
SGI Buddhists chant. They do not practice the type of meditation that you are seeking.
posted by Hanuman1960 at 9:08 AM on March 14, 2013
"SGI which spreads Buddhism based on the key findings, Lotus Sutra, has such retreats. I would recommend this book also if you interested in further exploring Buddhism as a religion that helps overcome obstacles in your life."
SGI Buddhists chant. They do not practice the type of meditation that you are seeking.
posted by Hanuman1960 at 9:08 AM on March 14, 2013
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I haven't yet attended personally, but it seems to fit your description.
posted by suprenant at 5:21 PM on March 5, 2013 [1 favorite]