RETREATS
RETREAT SPECIAL NEEDS
The structure and schedule of a silent retreat can be challenging both physically and psychologically. If you have medical or psychological pre-existing conditions, we encourage you to consult with your doctor or mental health professional before participating in a silent meditation retreat to ensure that the intensity and length of this event is right for you.
For those who have special needs, the following information may be helpful when planning for a retreat.
- All retreat sites have some wheelchair-accessible housing options, and retreat meeting halls and dining buildings are wheelchair accessible.
- All retreat sites have some accommodations that require using stairs or walking long distances, and not all paths are lit at night.
- Asilomar’s jitney cart service is available for transporting guests onsite.
- Mount Madonna Center’s tent camping and some cabins require walking up a hill and through a wooded area. Some housing options at Woldingham School require walking some distance to the main meeting hall.
Although the retreat sites will make every reasonable effort to find the right accommodation for your needs, all housing for these events is “first come, first served.” For this reason, we cannot guarantee that your specific requests will be met.
The structure of the retreat itself can be rigorous, including several silent sitting sessions each day that last up to 40 minutes each, a 1-hour talk by Adya, and a 2-hour Q&A session with Adya per day. Attending every silent sitting is not mandatory. The schedule includes three meal breaks throughout the day.
If you need special assistance in order to be on retreat, please make all arrangements prior to arriving at the retreat. If it is not possible for you to participate within this format, we recommend attending a 1- or 2-day event instead. The schedule is less rigorous and does not require participants to maintain silence over multiple days.
Those who would like to explore the depth of retreat teachings in private, or are unable to attend a retreat in person, are encouraged to create their own retreat experience with one of the MP3 download sets recorded on retreat.
If you have further questions, please call or contact Registration.
