Practical Information

Date: Wednesday September 4 – Sunday September 8, 2024
    Start of the retreat: Wednesday late afternoon / early evening (exact time TBD)
    End of retreat: Sunday September 8th at 11 AM
Location: Richmond Hill, Richmond, VA (Google Maps)
Cost: This retreat is entirely supported by a community of teachers, practitioners, volunteers and donors whose generosity is the foundation for this retreat. This retreat is offered freely, as a gift to those who attend—there is no cost. Donations by those who attend make it possible to pass this gift forward to others, so that these freely offered retreats can continue to be held in the future at IMCR.
Teacher: Marjolein Janssen
Registration: A registration form will be available by the end of May, in the meantime send us an email at info@imcrva.org to be put on the preliminary participant list. You’ll be notified when the registration form is available.
More information: By the end of May we will post more details about the retreat. Below we summarized the most important information.

Description

[A full description will follow by the end of May]

We will be practicing sitting and walking meditation. There will also be meditation instructions, Dharma talks and a chance to discuss your practice with the teacher. The retreat is suitable for beginning as well as experienced meditators. Beginners are asked to familiarize themselves with Vipassana meditation on the page for beginners.

The Spirit of Generosity

As is stated in the practical information above, this retreat is offered in the spirit of generosity, as a gift to those who attend. This gift has been made possible by the Insight Meditation Center in Redwood City California, and is a special offering from their guiding teachers, Gil Fronsdal and Andrea Fella.

There will be the opportunity to “pay it forward”, so that we can keep hosting these freely offered retreats at IMCR. To do this there will be the option to donate to IMCR to help cover the expenses we incur. You are also invited to donate to the teacher, for the teachings.

During the retreat there will be the opportunity to offer a cash donation, or a donation by check. You can also donate online to the teacher (Marjolein Janssen) and/or the IMCR group.

More information about the concept of dana, generosity, in Buddhism.

Important

• • Please send us and email to preliminarily register for the retreat: info@imcrva.org.
  • There will be single rooms. Bathrooms for most participants will be shared.
  • Vegetarian / vegan / gluten free breakfast and lunch will be provided.
  • During the retreat we will be in “noble silence.” This means that we won’t be talking to each other (except to the teacher during the practice discussion). We will also turn off our phones and other devices. This is all in order to minimize external distractions, promote mindfulness and inner stillness, and respect the practice of fellow meditators.
  • During the retreat we will all take the eight precepts. The teacher will explain what the precepts are during the Opening Circle of the retreat. The most important thing to know for now is that we all take the precept not to eat after lunch.
    • Note: you are welcome to eat after lunch for medical or other compelling reasons. Please send an email to info@imcrva.org so that we can note that you need dinner. For those who need it, dinner will be provided.