FAQs
Q: How much meditation experience do I need to attend this retreat? Is instruction offered?
A: Meditation instruction is offered on Friday night, and on Saturday there are optional one-on-one meditation interviews with the instructor, and an optional talk Saturday night. This retreat is not designed to be a first introduction to meditation because it is primarily silent practice with the only guidance being what was just mentioned. We’ve had participants from quite a range of backgrounds enjoy the retreat, from people who have meditated briefly before and are looking to go further, to long time practitioners seeking to reconnect through a weekend retreat.
Q: What kind of meditation is practiced? Is it a formal loving-kindness meditation?
A: It is not a formal loving-kindness practice. We will practice a basic sitting meditation called shamatha or “calm abiding”, primarily using our breathing as the support. The spirit of the practice is that we totally welcome everything in our experience just the way it is, and that itself is a profound act of loving-kindness to ourselves and eventually to others. Taking time out of our lives to settle into silence and practice this way is the cradle of loving kindness we’re referring to.
Q: Where can I read more about this approach to meditation here?
A: Our founder Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche’s book Mindfulness in Action: Making Friends with Yourself Through Meditation and Everyday Awareness is a great source, and copies will be available during the retreat as well.
Q: How long are the meditation sessions? Do I have to sit for three hours straight?
A: We practice sitting meditation for thirty minutes at a time, with a ten minute walking meditation in between. So for example in the morning session from 9am – 12pm, we alternate thirty minute sitting meditations and ten minute walking meditations that entire time. There are also resting postures that can be used at any point during the sessions.
Q: Can I sit in a chair?
A: Absolutely! And the instructor can assist you in finding the right posture for your body or making adjustments due to discomfort.
Q: What is Drala Mountain Center’s position on sexual misconduct issues in Shambhala?
A: DMC is unequivocally dedicated to providing a safe and responsive environment, and regards sexual misconduct as totally against our teachings and what we stand for. Under the “About” tab of our website, you can find our Code of Ethics and also our institutional responses in the Misconduct in Shambhala section.
