SCOL Winter Retreat Season

Led By: 
self-led after consulting with a teacher
Location: 
SCOL
Date: 
Jan 7 2012 12:00pm - Mar 3 2012 12:00pm


To register: scol winter personal retreat registration

The Winter Season Retreat was born from the wish to create an opportunity for practitioners to do extended personal retreat in a supportive group environment. The 2012 season allows even further participation as the cabins in the south wing are now completed!

The retreat season is designed specifically for individuals with prior retreat experience who can practice independently. Because of this, individuals who wish to take part will need to have approval from their primary mentor and have a specific plan for retreat worked out in conjunction with their spiritual mentor. Both the length of retreat, and the specific program of practice should be agreed to in advance. As a rule of thumb we recommend that people who have not done individual retreat before limit their first personal retreat to a few days. Individuals who have done personal retreat should consider a gradual increase to the length of retreats if they are inclined to do longer retreat.

Daily Schedule
Retreatants will follow a common schedule for practice sessions. The daily schedule of practice sessions will begin with a session before breakfast starting at 6:00 a.m. The morning and afternoon will both be 3 hours sessions with a tea break in the middle. After dinner there will be a group session of about 45 minutes for recitation of aspiration prayers. While this retreat is primarily personal retreat with most practice done alone, all participants are be expected to attend the group session.

The common schedule is intended to help foster the discipline of the retreat environment and reduce conflict between active time and quiet time. Retreatants will be expected to maintain silence during meals and other breaks in practice. Individuals may of course practice outside of the minimal schedule, but they can expect that others may be doing chores or walking around the cloister at that time. Some individuals will begin practice much earlier than others, some will engage in practices that utilize the bell and damaru. On the other hand, some individuals may have a retreat plan that has fewer hours of formal practice and more study. While there will be variations in personal schedules, all will still be expected to maintain the community discipline and follow the schedule.

Chores
Retreatants will assist the cook and ensure that the facility remains clean and orderly throughout the duration of the retreat. You should expect to contribute ½ to 1 hour per day in this effort. Chores will be done during the three meal breaks. In addition there may be some facility preparation needed prior to the retreat, and there will be extra chores at the end to leave the facilities in a clean and functional state at the end of the retreat. Snow should be expected during this retreat and this may require rearranging chores so that able bodied retreatants can shovel snow within the cloister.

Limited Onsite Teacher Support
There will be opportunities for personal interviews with Lama Michael Conklin on January 20 and February 19. These interviews are intended primarily to support individuals who are engaging in longer retreats. Other teachers may be available either onsite or by phone if you make arrangements beforehand. You should plan your retreat with the idea that you cannot count on an interview or other support unless your stay will coincide with the days when interviews are scheduled or you make arrangements beforehand. Teachers will be on site during this retreat, but remember that they are there for their own retreat and will only be available for interviews or other support by prior agreement. This is one of the key reasons that individuals must be able to sustain themselves independently during this retreat.

Retreat Preparation
There will be one meeting prior to the retreat to discuss the practical side of the retreat season. Since people will be arriving on different days during the retreat, it is helpful to go over general questions, chores and other practical matters beforehand. This will facilitate smooth entry and departure from the retreat and minimize the effort need for staff to schedule chores. It will also increase the likelihood that the essential tasks get done and that the work is shared in an equitable fashion. A meeting to go over these practical matters has been tentatively scheduled for the afternoon of Sunday afternoon, December 11.

Cost
There is a three tiered cost structure for the retreat. It is intended to encourage longer retreats and reflects the reduced impact on staff when there is less coming and going.
Seven days or less: $35 per day
Eight days to two weeks: $30 per day
More than two weeks: $25 per day
Scholarships (up to 50% of retreat cost) may be available. For more information and to apply, go to: Scholarship Policy

Application process
Retreat applicants should fit the following qualifications:
1 Be able to practice independently for the duration of their retreat.
2 Be willing to commit to following the daily schedule including group practice.

To apply, please do the following:
1 Contact your principal mentor to create a plan for your retreat. If you are not associated with a teacher at KCC, please work with your current mentor to develop a retreat plan suitable for you. Then forward a note from your mentor which indicates that they have approved your retreat plan to Lama Michael Conklin, conklin@kcc.org. Contact Bill Spangle, dorabill@comcast.net; or  phone 503 282 2809 for general questions.
2 To register please go to scol winter personal retreat registration; Or contact the registrar: Julie Hurlocker jjhurlocker@gmail.com  phone: 206-909-1488.The minimum stay for this retreat is 5 nights. In order to streamline the orientation process for retreat staff, please make an effort to begin your retreat on a Saturday or a Wednesday.