May 24 – May 29 PDT
Thank you for the interest. This retreat is sold out.
When our body and mind are one we develop concentration and the capacity to heal and transform ourselves. Rock climbing encourages our mind to be fully present in our body—our muscles, tendons, and movement. In this six-day retreat, from May 24—29, 2022, led by Brother Phap Luu, a monastic Dharma teacher in the Plum Village tradition from Deer Park Monastery, and Michele Lang of Insight Climbing & Movement, we will enjoy sessions of mindful climbing indoors, mindful walking in the beautiful temperate rain forests of Bainbridge Island, Washington, and mindfulness of breathing, eating, resting along with Dharma talks and circle sharing. In this way, uniting body and mind through awareness of physical movement, our physiological state, and our thinking and intentionality, we develop our capacity to be aware of our suffering and transform it into happiness and joy.
The retreat is limited to 15 participants. Basic climbing experience is required, and we recommend that all participants have experience belaying. We require all participants to undergo a belay test or else attend a two-hour belay instruction session offered on the afternoon of arrival day. You may bring your own climbing equipment (harness, shoes, chalk) or use the equipment of the gym.
Arrival for the retreat is at 3-4 pm on Tuesday May 24th, and departure is at 2 pm after lunch on Sunday, May 29th.
Accommodation and meals are at a farm, Coyote Farm, nearby the climbing gym, with simple rustic bathrooms and showers. There are two rates: $800 for double bedrooms or $600 for camping. Note that few beds are available; campers need to arrange for their own tent, sleeping bags, etc. Vegan meals are provided. Transport between the accommodation and gym is provided.
Example Daily Schedule (subject to change)
6:00 AM Wake Up
6:30 AM Guided Sitting Meditation
7:00 AM Mindful Movements
7:30 AM Breakfast
8:30 AM Dharma Talk
10:00 AM Mindful Climbing (Insight Climbing & Movement)
1:00 PM Lunch
2:00 PM Total Relaxation
3:00 PM Mindful Walking in the Grand Forest (or other forest)
4:00 PM Dharma Sharing (in forest)
6:30 PM Dinner
7:30 PM Evening Activity (Sitting, Presentation)
9:30 PM Lights Out / Noble Silence
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5 responses to “Mindful Climbing Retreat”
Good morning! My daughter Ellie applied to attend this retreat. I believe someone called her and said she could attend but all accommodation is full and she would have to tent. She’s traveling from Australia and doesn’t have camping gear, is there other accommodation close by we can pay for and she could commute each day ?
Please contact the Registration Office as soon as possible. If she already applied, and was accepted, then no more registration is required. The only step remaining would be to pay. You can email them at office@deerparkmonastery.org
Hello, I would like to register for this retreat (using tent) but there is a message “Cannot rent resource. It is unavailable on/from 24 May 2022”. Is it because this retreat is sold out? Thank you.
That’s likely the case, but you can email the office and see if there’s space remaining. office@deerparkmonastery.org
I would very much like to join the May 24 Mindful Climbing retreat. I know it is full.
If there is a cancellation or you can squeeze me in I would super appreciate it.