Day-Long Retreats offer the opportunity for deep meditation practice and contemplative reflection with the convenience of a single day format. Through a continuity of sitting and walking meditation, participants can deeply explore the meditative process, and still be home in time for dinner.
Our monthly Day-Long or Half-Day Retreats are suitable for both novice and seasoned meditators.
Check the calendar for event dates.
Half-Day Programs
IMSB periodically offers Half-Day Workshops that strengthen mindfulness, introduce awareness based movement practices , or develop experiential Dhamma themes. Using a combination of sitting meditation and movement or experiential practices, these half-day programs are designed to encourage wakeful presence, clarity of emotion, and balance in both body and mind. Programs may introduce traditional disciplines such as qi gong and yoga; or they may incorporate modern awareness practices that are employed in healing arts, theatrical training, improvisation, or dance, such as Feldenkrais Method, Alexander Technique, and Laban and Bartenieff Work. Walking meditation is always an option for individuals who prefer mindful walking to the guided movement practices.
Day-long Programs
The structure of Day-Long Retreats usually include alternating periods of sitting and walking meditation, instructions, dhamma teachings, and optional consultations with the teacher. Often a movement discipline such as yoga, TaiChi, QiGong, or Feldenkrais is offered as an alternative to walking meditation during one session of the day. A typical schedule for the meditation Day-Long Retreat is provided below, though it can change without notice.
| Time | Description |
|---|---|
| 9:30 – 10:30 | Meditation & Introduction |
| 11:30 – 12:15 | Sitting Meditation |
| 10:30 – 11:30 | Walking Meditation or Movement Practice |
| 12:15 – 12:30 | Questions/Answers |
| 1:30 – 2:15 | Sitting Meditation |
| 2:15 – 3:00 | Walking Meditation |
| 3:00 – 3:45 | Sitting Meditation |
| 3:45 – 4:00 | Break |
| 4:00 – 5:00 | Dharma Talk & Closing |
| 5:00 | Clean Up |
Other details:
- The Day-Long Retreats will be held in Noble Silence to support the deepening of meditative realization. Please turn off cell phones, minimize conversations, and refrain from socializing until the end of the program.
- Events may include a pot-luck lunch, or the suggestion to bring a bag lunch. Please check the event listing to determine if the event is a bag lunch or pot-luck event. Tea is usually provided. A refrigerator and microwave are usually available. Eating on site supports the development of concentration by avoiding the disruption of excursions to shops or restaurants
- Chairs are provided. Please bring a mat, cushion or bench if you would like to sit on the floor. The room at St. Timothy’s Church is carpeted; the room at Foothills Congregational Church has a hard wood floor. For some movement events you may want to bring a mat.
- Most of our Saturday programs are taught by Shaila Catherine, and periodically by guest teachers. Some programs incorporate gentle awareness based movement practices guided by guest instructors. Walking Meditation is always an option for students who do not wish to participate in the featured movement practice.
- Day-Long Retreats that do not have a movement theme usually include opportunities to consult with the teacher about your individual meditation practice. Usually these meetings take place during the walking meditations.
- No registration is required. Everyone is welcome. Arriving on time and staying until the end is appreciated. However, if you can only attend part of the program, please arrive or depart during the lunch period.
- In the spirit of generosity, or dana these Day-Long Retreats are offered without registration fees. Two bowls will be available for voluntary donations to support IMSB and the teachers with their ongoing efforts of serving the Dhamma. Voluntary contributions are appreciated.
- The locations at St. Timothy’s and Foothills Congregational are on the ground floor. There are no stairs, but bathrooms are not equipped with specialized features for accessibility. If you have a disability and would like to attend our events, please let us know how we can help. Although most talks at St. Timothy’s Church are amplified with a PA system and we also have a few hearing assistive devices, and some hearing impaired students find it helpful to bring their own hearing devices. There is no amplification at the Foothills Congregational Church site.
Meeting Locations
Saint Timothy’s Church – Edwards Hall
2094 Grant Road, Mountain View CA 94040
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Foothills Congregational Church – Parish Hall
461 Orange Avenue, Los Altos, CA 94022
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Westhope Presbyterian Church – Social Hall
12850 Saratoga Ave, Saratoga CA 95070 (just off highway 85 at edge of San Jose)
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Questions?
For questions visit Frequently Asked Questions.
For more information contact the information coordinator at the email address given on our contacts page.