Midwest Mindfulness- A 6 day/5 Night Silent Retreat May 2018

This Mindful-Way Mindfulness Meditation Retreat is a way to come home to ourselves, and find some clarity and perspective on what is most meaningful in our lives. It is an intensive, residential, teacher-led,  silent  retreat, which emphasizes the deep understanding and practice of mindfulness meditation in its most universal and inclusive expression.

While open to all students who are willing to undergo the discipline of silent retreat, this mindfulness retreat also fulfills one of the retreat prerequisites for attending the Oasis Institute for Mindfulness-Based Professional Education and Training. It is also serves as a prerequisite for any Mindfulness-Based Intervention training as well as a support for experienced teachers.

This  mindfulness retreat includes meditation instruction, individual interviews with certified MBSR instructors, talks by senior teachers, guided sessions of mindfulness meditation practice, movement exercises, and mindful eating, as well as sessions of contemplation and teachings to deepen the understanding of the practice. During the retreat, there will be one small group interview session and one brief individual interview.The Mindfulness Meditation Retreat is based on the Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) principles developed by Jon Kabat-Zinn and Saki Santorelli at the Center for Mindfulness in the University of Massachusetts Medical School.  We do not provide trasportation to the retreat center but you can find details here, or contact Sarah to see about possible ride-shares.

Program Goals

• Provide a safe and nourishing environment for the cultivation and development of a deep and grounded mindfulness meditation practice.
• Foster a rigorous retreat experience – independent of a specific religious outlook – that fulfills Oasis Institute 
• Offer excellent support and guidance from highly trained and experienced teachers and meditation instructors.
• Practice noble silence to develop a strong container for deepening meditation practice.

For those who are new to meditation practice, please be aware that practicing for a week in silence can be an intensive and challenging – as well as a highly rewarding – experience. 

The first day of retreat begins with registration between 3-5 PM followed by dinner at 6:00 PM and formal retreat practice at 7:30 PM. Daily Schedule will run from 6:30 AM to 9:00 PM and will consist of periods of guided and unguided meditation, Movement, Walking, and talks by the teachers. 

Participant Guidelines

ATTENDANCE:

Participants are strongly encouraged to attend all practice sessions.

SILENCE:

Means no conversation except during formal interviews. No reading, writing or use of technology except under special circumstances where you may need to maintain contact with the outside world i.e. (illness of a family member, etc). 

ATTITUDES:

• Non-judging
• Patience
• Beginner’s mind
• Trust
• Non-striving
• Acceptance
• Letting go

EXPECTATIONS:

• Self-care
• Confidentiality
• Listening and participating
• Silence
• Non-disruptive
• Genuine effort
• No food or drink (except water) in meditation room

Refund Policy:  Cancellation Before February 17th refund minus $100.00 admin fee. After Feb 17th refund minus 30%,  February 28th- March 31st refund minus 50%. March 31st -April 21st refund minus 65%. After April 21st no refund except for certain special circumstances and/or if we can fill your spot.