Please see these guidelines adapted from Spirit Rock with helpful advice about at-home retreats.

Preparing for the Retreat

1. Setting up your Retreat Space

  • If at all possible, set up a dedicated space for the retreat where you have internet access.

  • Find a place for walking meditation. This might include walking around the block or in a hallway or larger room. It is preferable not to have to navigate street crossings or traffic.

  • Print this document and the retreat schedule prior to the retreat to keep them handy.

2. Electronic Media

  • We will be using the Zoom for our video-conferencing software for our retreat check-in. You can do this on your phone, laptop, or tablet. If you can, practice using Zoom before the retreat. To support yourself and the group we ask that you close all programs except Zoom and turn off all of notifications on your devices.

  • Please download all meditations and the talk the day before the retreat. During the retreat, turn your phone on airplane mode.

3. Meals

  • If possible, do all of your food shopping before the retreat begins.

  • Consider writing a meal plan so you do not have to decide what to prepare for each meal. 

4. Navigating housemates, spouses, partners, and children in the home who are not on retreat

Have a conversation about your retreat time. Here are some things you might want to cover:

  • Acknowledge that it will most likely feel awkward and strange at first, but a rhythm can develop that can work for everyone.

  • Talk about noble silence and see if you can get support in being in noble silence for the duration of the retreat. If necessary, you might want to discuss a specific time of the day to connect verbally so that the communication is contained.

  • If possible, ask for support in having a quieter overall living space. Ask people to use earbuds or headphones or at least keep the volume low in a separate room. If it is not possible to get support for this, consider how to incorporate this into your practice.

  • Post your retreat schedule.

  • It may work better for you to switch a sit time with a mealtime to limit interactions in the kitchen.

  • If you have children: If they are old enough, talk with your kids about what you are doing and ask their input on how to create a supportive environment. Enlist them as allies. 

Navigating those you live with will be part of the retreat. Don’t worry if it gets weird and challenging. We will learn together how to turn toward such challenges with our practice.

During the Retreat

1. Online Format & Etiquette

  • We will send you a link to join the video conference for the retreat check-in. Please do not give out the Zoom link to other people.

  • It is helpful for creating community to allow your video to be on during the check in. It can also help navigate some of the disconnection that can come with using an online format.

  • Please don’t multitask while online with our community. Engage as fully as you would if we were in person.

  • Please refrain from moving your laptop/tablet/phone around with the video camera on. This helps brings a quality of settledness to our online community.

  • While on zoom, please don’t move around. Keep your phone or computer stationary to minimize distractions for others.

2. Media, phones, and other technology

Please refrain from using electronic devices for anything other than listening to meditations and talks and connecting through the Zoom Video-conferencing.

One of the transformative things that can come from home retreats is having time in your own living space in which you are not engaging in other technology and media. This alone is helpful in touching a different way of being in your life.