How to Prepare for Your First Weekend-Long Buddhist Meditation Retreat

So you’ve officially taken the plunge and signed up for your first weekend-long Buddhist meditation retreat! At this point, you’ve either talked to several of your Buddhist friends about what the retreat will be like, or you have absolutely no idea what to expect. Either way, rest easy and follow these simple steps.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• A quiet space for meditation

Prior to Retreat Registration Deadline

1. Finalize your commitment to attend the retreat. As you clarify your intentions, feel confident about your decision.

2. Ask the teacher or meditation center administrator any questions you have about the retreat. Make sure that you feel clear about any concerns you have prior to registration.

3. Register for the retreat. You may need to mail in your registration information and payment. Some registrations can be completed online. Make sure that you complete all registration steps.

Several Months Prior to the Retreat

4. Review your retreat plans. In particular, determine whether or not you need to make an airline reservation.

5. Make any necessary airline reservations. Booking your airfare ahead of time may save you money. It will also spare you the stress of trying to find a last minute reservation.

6. Make any necessary hotel reservations. Most mediation retreats provide lodging. Rarely, if ever, will you need to secure a hotel room. If you do, however, make a reservation.

Several Weeks Prior to the Retreat

7. Review your retreat plans and itinerary again. In particular, determine whether or not any other travel arrangements are necessary, such as an airport shuttle, hotel shuttle or rental car.

8. Book any necessary airport shuttle reservations. This only applies if you are flying out of state for your retreat, not renting a car and will need transportation from the airport to the meditation center. Make sure that the retreat center does not already provide such transportation.

9. Book any necessary rental car. If you need a rental car, you can make a reservation over the telephone or on the internet.

10. Purchase any necessary supplies or equipment for the retreat. Some retreat centers (particularly those in the mountains) require that you bring a sleeping bag and flashlight. If you start shopping at least two weeks in advance, you will have time to shop around.

A Week Prior to the Retreat

11. Confirm any airline reservations. Some reservations can be confirmed online. You may have to call the airline in some cases.

12. Confirm any hotel accommodations. You may complete this online or over the telephone.

13. Confirm any additional travel arrangements, including airport and hotel shuttles. If you are attending a weekend-long meditation retreat in your city or somewhere close to you, confirm the parking arrangements for that weekend.

14. Review your list of required equipment and supplies to ensure that have you purchased everything necessary.

The Night Before the Retreat

15. Print out any travel itineraries (if necessary), to have readily available. Print out (and pack) any retreat confirmation pages.

16. Create a checklist to pack your bag for the retreat. Make sure not to bring any items that the retreat teacher or administrator has requested that participants leave at home (e.g. perfumes, scented soaps, etc.).

17. Pack your bag. Use your checklist to make sure that you pack everything. Leave out your toothbrush, toothpaste and any other toiletry items you will need in the morning.

18. Spend an hour in silent meditation to prepare your heart and mind for the upcoming weekend. Feel confident about your commitment to fully participate in this special time of intensive practice.