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Retreat of One
Kundo
Sydney, Australia Veteran
in Meditation
I'm going to put myself on a one week self imposed retreat (starting in two days) and was wondering if anyone else has done this and has any tips for me please?
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2
Comments
That sounds cool. Ive only did it for a full day. Not much of a retreat. I put my laptop and tablet away. I put my phone on ultra power save so I can only take and make calls. I put that aside out of sight. I turned my clocks around and no watch. I travel by public transportation since I cant drive. I usually have my phone, watch, and maybe my laptop. I left them all at home. I felt naked but free at the same time. I only asked for time so I wouldnt miss my last bus to my house.
I dont know how early the monks at monastaries wake up to meditate. That, Id put in there especially if youre not an early riser. No music, tv, and movies. I didnt do the no eating after 12. The theravada temple near me, all retreat practitioners follow monks schedule. Its something to try out. Dont know about the hour or so long meditation.
A Zen friend and I once decided to do an all-day sitting together in his apartment. We weren't really sure how to structure it, but we thought we would try. Basically, we followed the structure of the zendo we both attended ... start with morning (chanting) service followed by sitting and walking, a break for cooking, more sitting and walking.
We were halfway through the morning chants when, as if on cue, we both began to laugh. And we couldn't stop. Each time one of us would serious up, the other would try to conform ... only to break down in laughter all over again. To this day, I don't know how we ever stopped... a couple of Marine Corps Zen students laughing our asses off. It may have been the best retreat I was ever part of.
Oh well.....
@dhammachick
I've been thinking about that myself. Is your idea to do your retreat at home? That would be to distracting for me. I was leaning towards stuffing a backpack with a few simple meals, a tent and some tea. Head into the North Maine woods for 3 or 4 days. No internet of phone available up there. Bring a printed copy of a sutra or two...
Yes! I love it. For me, because I have young kids at home and a house full of pets, I actually leave home on occasion. Sometimes I go to my mom's house when she is on vacation or I camp by myself. I try to make a point of getting in one solitary camping trip each summer. I take a kayak so I don't have a lot of storage space and I'll go for 2-3 days and only eat what I can find or catch (fishing). For me, I find that if I am indoors, having somewhat of a schedule helps, otherwise I lose the focus of my reasons for doing it. I take various retreats pretty often. Sometimes it is just an internet retreat (sometimes for weeks at a time, it's heavenly!) and sometimes it's just a day to look after myself. Other times it is specifically meditation focused and I usually fast when I do those. I don't sit and meditate all day but do meditative activities interspersed with sitting and walking meditation.
I've done a couple two day at home retreats. I think if you're not that experienced writing up a schedule to stick to is important and I would say don't be too severe on yourself. Plan time for walking even just a regular nature walk, time for reading dharma books and listening/watching to talks. For me about 8 hours of meditation (walking and sitting combined) a day seems about right, even if its less than that just getting away from normal distractions and focusing on dharma will settle the mind down a lot.
Plan out your meals too, either make them ahead of time or you could try some mindful meal preparation as part of the retreat.
Basically, the more planned out and structured the retreat is the less chance there is for your mind to rebel and come up with reasons to do something else.
I rather like the idea of a comedy retreat that @genkaku mentions . . .
I regularly go on solo retreats. Will be starting one this weekend, I feel it is a rest/change from my normal routine. I try and incorporate the following.
I meditate daily ... but I do that anyway. No need to over do it . . .
Good Luck. May the Buddhas go with you . . .
OM MANI PEME HUM
Hey @dhammachick - how strict will you be e.g. eight Precepts? No tv, phone, internet?
I’m lucky enough to get to a Monastery for a weekend about once a month. Take the eight Precepts. Usually do a couple of hours work in the morning then afternoon free to practice. Group meditation at 5am and 7pm.
I can highly recommend that kind of schedule (obviously you won’t be able to do the group part!). Look forward to hearing how you go
P.S. Try and limit your food intake if you can too...
Thanks for all the input guys. I really appreciate it _ /\ _
I wish I could get to a monastery for a silent retreat. That's a goal of mine.
Over the weekend I will be as silent as I can. Definitely no internet or phone. During the week unfortunately I still have to work. I will limit interactions with others as much as I can without getting fired LOL And no social media at all.
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My H occasionally goes away to visit a buddy about 40 miles away from us. He's usually gone overnight....He also takes the opportunity (time, tide and funds allowing!) to visit his twin sister, who lives about 4 - 5 hours away by car.... She has cancer, so he goes to see her when he can, and usually, the visit lasts 3 - 5 days. He goes when I have the same amount of time off work, because then, I won't need transportation...
I think I'll await that opportunity to give me some 'quiet time' and have a mini-retreat of my own....
Sounds good! Best of luck mate...
Sounds great @dhammachick . Every best wish for your retreat! ??
I just came across an awesome reddit post the other day about solo retreats - https://reddit.com/r/bestofbuddhism/comments/3u3ag4/theheartoftuxes_gives_tips_for_solo_retreats/ nice to see you still around here!
@karasti, This is the spot I had in mind,
Mt Tumbledown. It's the prettiest 3200 foot peak in Maine. With a small alpine lake! I'd have to go mid week in June to get the place to myself.
Buddhas Bottom! (Right speech/swearing)
My retreat hut ... OK house ... was occupied by someone in greater need ... ah well ... back to cushion retreat ...
Hope @dhammachick fared better?
Namaste @lobster ??
I managed 5 days, almost 6. I was ill for some of it but I managed to meditate more and even make some malas.
??