Description of our Meditation programs
Beginner’s Meditation Class
This Class is intended for those fairly new to meditation or those who do not meditate regularly. It will include a short talk, a short session of yoga stretches, a 30 minute guided sitting meditation followed by standing and walking awareness, and ending with a short Q&A session.
Afternoon Intensives will be held for more experienced meditators on a Saturday or Sunday (except during weekend retreats). The A.I.’s are geared for experienced meditators who do not need any instructions or guidance. People can sit or walk as long as they like with no bells. Tea is available and interviews with Bhante Rahula may be available.
Days of Mindfulness (DOM).
These typically are held on one Saturday or Sunday per month. They begin at 9 am and finish at 4.00 pm; they are geared towards relative beginners with some light yoga stretches, instruction/guided meditation and a Dhamma talk. More experienced meditators are also welcome.
The days and times of these classes may change, so be sure to check the website for an updated schedule. Please let us know by e-mail at info@lionwisdom.org if you wish to join the Beginner’s class or DOM.
Meditation Instructions for beginners
Here are four video talks and guided meditations for people new to meditation to get started, before coming to a retreat.
Two or three day retreats.
These will usually begin on a Friday night with a DOM on Saturday and continue until 4pm the next day or an additional day. People must register for staying overnight as dorm type sleeping accommodation is limited. People living nearby have option to go home in evening and come back next morning; breakfast and lunch will be provided. People are expected to observe the monastic rule of not eating solid food afternoon; No evening meals will be served. However, persons with medical need can bring there own snack supplement. No cooking is allowed but a microwave may be available to warm up soup etc.
People should inform us of this need.
Things to bring with you: Sleeping bag or bed sheets, pillow case, personal towel, yoga mat if you have one, house slippers and refillable water bottle.
There is no charge for any of these programs but donations are gratefully accepted, as this center exists solely on donations to support this service.
Self Retreats
We now offer a space for doing a Self retreat for experienced meditators, to come for between two-seven days outside of organized retreats, here at our center. A meditator recently did so and offers her experience here for those who might be needing some time for oneself in a conducive environment.
“This summer I spent a few days on a “self-retreat” at Lion of Wisdom. The mechanics of it went like this. I slept out in a tent under the trees and stars. Every day I got up at 5:00, drank a cup of tea, and did morning yoga with Bhante Rahula. Then we sat for an hour, then ate breakfast, and then I spent the rest of the day meditating on my own time and in my own way. I would sit in the meditation hall, or do walking meditation inside or out, or sit outside in a little mosquito netting meditation tent. I’d drink more tea here and there. We ate lunch in the middle of the day. Then in the evening Bhante would lead me in another yoga session, followed by another hour of sitting together, and then it was time for bed.
On a formal retreat, your days tend to be pretty structured, and you’re given instructions in what to do. Formal retreats are invaluable. But it’s a really cool and interesting practice to try to structure your own day of meditation, which is what you have to do on a self-retreat. You realize you need to pay close attention to your instincts, so you know what feels like the right thing to do in each moment, and then commit to doing that thing. This can require a more subtle awareness of what’s going on in your mind than when you are simply following someone else’s instructions. It’s a really cool thing to watch and act on, and I think it probably helps your awareness develop beyond the days you are on retreat.
I am really grateful for these days of self-retreat at Lion of Wisdom. Especially now, when so many meditation centers are closed down because of coronavirus, it was so great to be able to go sit somewhere that was not my apartment, and to be in a space dedicated to meditation, designed to helping me fully dedicate myself to meditation. If you have a couple days to spare, I highly recommend it.
Amanda Huron
A Self Retreat at the Lion of Wisdom Meditation Center
A self-meditation retreat here can be from two days to a week or more depending on variable factors. This is a mindfulness meditation center and one’s practice should center around the practice of Mindfulness meditation. A prospective self-retreatants should describe their personal practice and what they expect from their retreat. A person should inform us of any medical conditions/medications that may affect their stay here.
A bed in a single room or a dorm room in our house or a single room in our separate retreat building could be available. Though a few of the retreat building rooms are still under construction until mid-late summer.
The resident monk/teacher, Bhante Rahula has an hour long group meditation in the meditation hall at 6 am and 7 pm each day that guests are expected to join. He would also be available for personal interview or guidance on their meditation practice. They can also participate in our other regular meditation/Dhamma teaching sessions in house or over Zoom.
Breakfast and lunch are provided; no meal is served in the evening. A person can bring some nutritional drink or the equivalent for the late afternoon evening if needed.
Self-retreatants would be expected to help for an hour or so with house cleaning chores or outdoor work.
The rest of one’s time should be spent in more individual practice.
To maintain a supportive and harmonious atmosphere here at the center
the following guidelines should be followed while here on self- retreat.
Refrain from killing any living creature
Refrain from taking what is not given
Refrain from any sexual activity
Refrain from false speech or loud boisterous talking
Refrain from consuming any intoxicating drinks or drugs
Refrain from wearing skimpy revealing clothing or perfumed cosmetics
If you would like to come for a self-retreat of between 2-7 days (perhaps longer) send an e-mail request to Bhante Rahula at: info@lionwisdom.org
The recordings from the Thanksgiving retreat are available at these links:
Individual video link ~
