MEDITATION RETREAT RESOURCES
EVENTS
The Nature of Practice: An Awareness and Wisdom Insight Meditation Retreat
A four-day residential Insight Meditation retreat at AMC’s Medawisla Lodge and Cabins in Maine’s 100-Mile Wilderness sponsored by Open Door Meditation Community
When: Thursday, September 14 at 2:00 pm - Monday, September 18, 2023 at 2:00 pm
Where: Appalachian Mountain Club’s Medawisla Lodge and Cabins
Medawisla Access Road
(One hour beyond) Greenville, Maine 04441 (directions)
Taught by: Alexis Santos and Susa Talan, Insight Meditation Teachers and Open Door Meditation Community’s Co-Founders
Program Description
This four-day Insight Meditation retreat will support attendees’ exploration of awareness and the development of wisdom through the practice of insight meditation in daily life in a natural setting. In addition to daily dharma talks and formal practice, there will be ample opportunity to practice out of doors and take advantage of the beautiful lake and surrounding forest to explore mindfulness in nature. This retreat will be appropriate for meditators of all experience levels. Click here for a sample schedule.
Teachers
Alexis Santos and Susa Talan have extensive experience as Insight Meditation practitioners and teachers and are the co-founders of Open Door Meditation Community. They co-led the first Open Door Sangha Maine Wilderness Insight Meditation Retreat at Medawisla Lodge last fall. We are excited to have the opportunity to practice with them again this year. For more information about Susa and Alexis, click here.
Location
The retreat will take place at the Appalachian Mountain Club’s Medawisla Lodge and Cabins in Maine’s 100-Mile Wilderness, an awe-inspiring setting with comfortable accommodations and delicious, healthful meals. AMC has a long-standing commitment to sustainable operations and environmental stewardship. The main lodge, where our sangha will gather to practice and to enjoy our meals, is solar-powered. In addition, Medawisla (Abanaki for loon) is located on land that has been designated an International Dark Sky Park and is one of the best places for stargazing in the region.Finally, the lodge is accessible by car on a graded dirt road. There is no need to walk or backpack in.
Housing Options
Most accommodations will be in shared rooms with a bathhouse and/or lodge bathrooms nearby. Lodging choices include hilltop cabins with bathrooms (on the same level as the lodge), meadow cabins near the lake with shared bathhouses (a short walk downhill from the lodge), and comfortable bunkhouses in both locations with the shared bathhouses. A limited number of private or semi-private rooms will be available for special needs sleeping accommodations on a first-come, first-serve basis only. For more information about housing options and prices, click here.
Recreational Opportunities
There will be periods of time each day for practicing awareness and meditation in the wilderness. Attendees are welcome to bring paddleboards, windsurfers, kayaks, gravel or mountain bikes, swimsuits, wetsuits, fishing rods, etc. Hiking boots and hiking poles are recommended given uneven trail surfaces. A complete checklist of recommended clothing and gear, as well as maps of the surrounding area, will be provided.
Dana
A foundational Buddhist practice is Dana or generosity. Alexis and Susa will offer their teaching as a gift to us. We can show our gratitude by offering Dana to them. For more information about offering Dana click here.
Scholarships
Open Door is committed to providing equitable access and opportunities for those who otherwise could not attend due to their financial situations. Varying levels of support are available. For more information about how to request support to attend the retreat click here.
Health/Infectious Disease Policy
All attendees will be asked to read and agree to the Health/Infectious Disease Policy.
Cancellation Policy
All attendees will be asked to read and agree to the Cancellation Policy. Note: there will be no refunds after July 7, 2023.
Registering for the Retreat with ZEFFY
We are using ZEFFY, a ticketing platform for non-profit organizations. When you check out, you will be asked if you wish to add a “tip” to the amount you are paying. We encourage registrants to offer a small tip to this ticketing platform; however instead of the suggested autofilled tip, you may change the amount to a more appropriate one by clicking on the down arrow and choosing Other. Also, when you are ready to pay, if you wish to use a credit card rather than direct debit (ACH), click on “Other payment methods” to select the mode of payment you prefer. Questions? Contact us at residentialretreatopendoor@gmail.com.
While the retreat is currently full, please consider adding your name to the waitlist. We anticipate a few spots opening in the coming months due to cancellations. Click on the Register button below to sign up for the waitlist. We will be in touch to let you know if a space has opened up. Thank you!