We want to let you know that you are welcome to attend the Winter Meditation Intensive even if you can't make all of the online sessions due to work, family obligations, or other essential life situations. In order for us to enter into the retreat most fully we will be offering a set of contemplations and suggestions to help us each create and maintain our own retreat container for the program. Among other things, participants will be asked to consider what their engagement in the program will be in terms of their inspiration and what is possible for them. We will then write down and share this commitment with the staff prior to the start of the program as a way to help us each clarify, and become tethered to, our own container. 

What is a retreat container?

When we speak of a “retreat container” we’re talking about the various commitments we enter into, and elements we create and open to, so that we can relax, be held, and make way for the profundity of our meditation practice to emerge during a program. The most important element of the container is your own clearly defined commitment to your practice and to the program. Other container elements include creating a practice space, taking in the the teachings given by the teachers, conscious engagement with life off the cushion, and connection with the other practitioners in the retreat. With these elements and commitments as our container we are able to let go of the ego’s constant picking and choosing what it wants and doesn’t want, and by doing so give over to what meditation has to offer us.

Suggestions for creating and maintaining your retreat container:

As we are engaging this program from various locations and situations, and not having an in-person retreat, we have to take a bit of a different approach than if we were meeting at a retreat center. Some of us may be joining in this program from a solitary retreat space, some may do so from home with very few obligations, and yet others may join in while still engaged in jobs and family life. Below are some contemplations and suggestions to help you consider how best to establish your retreat container for your specific situation.

1. Inspiration and commitment. Contemplate what your inspiration is for this program. What do you see yourself able to commit to per day?

2. Designate a quiet space. Designate a room, or part of a room, that you can dedicate to practice for the duration of the program. Keep this space clean and free of clutter as this has a direct impact on meditation practice. You could also create a shrine (more info below) to help establish a sense of sacredness in your practice space. If you share the room with others it would be best to ask them not to come through during your practice time if at all possible.

3. What is essential? If you are practicing at home, consider what will be essential for you to engage in during the time of the program. For instance, will you need to go to work? Do you have household duties to maintain? Do you have people relying on you as a caregiver? What might need to be taken care of ahead of time? What will you do for exercise? Take a look at how you might be able to meet your life’s needs while honoring your inspiration and commitment to practice. Ask your family, friends and employment for whatever support they might give.

4. Internet use and entertainment. It’s strongly recommended to disengage from unnecessary internet use for the duration of the program. If you have work email or other communications that you need to engage in, see if you can set aside a specific time of day to do so rather than checking several times throughout the day. We also recommend letting go of other forms of entertainment during the program. What do you use as an “escape hatch”?

5. Post meditation time. When you are not on the cushion see if there is a way to let the interactions and arisings in your life be “part of the program”. What is your awareness like as you move through your life off the cushion?

6. Write out your commitment. After contemplating these aspects of your container please write down what your commitment to practice will be, and what essential life functions you will be engaged in during the program. Writing them down and sharing them with the program staff can very much help tether you to your commitment.