At Deer Park Monastery, we offer seasonal retreats (see below) and special retreats. Seasonal retreats offer participants the opportunity to enjoy the daily schedule of the monastery and the basic practices such as sitting meditation, walking meditation, and mindful eating.
Seasonal Retreats
Please note that not all Fridays are arrival days and the dates listed below are the only arrival days and for the period of time listed next to the date. We kindly ask that you register at least one week in advance, as registration will close a few days prior to the arrival date to make preparations (if not before due to being full).
For the most part, people identified as female at birth stay in Clarity Hamlet with the monastic sisters, while those identified as male at birth stay in Solidity Hamlet with the monastic brothers. In any case, our office can assist you in finding the appropriate fit. Mixed gender couples can also stay together in Solidity Hamlet.
To see a sample schedule for our Seasonal Retreats, please click here and scroll down to where it says: Seasonal Retreat Sample Schedule.
SEASONAL RETREAT ARRIVAL DAYS
Please read info above about our two different hamlets here at Deer Park.
NOTE: 3bed dorms are ONLY available in Solidity Hamlet. If you are staying in Clarity Hamlet and would like a dorm, please register for a 6bed dorm.
Friday, October 11, 2024: Solidity & Clarity Hamlet will host one and two weeklong stays
Friday October 18, 2024: Clarity Hamlet will host one and two weeklong stays
Friday, October 25, 2024: Solidity & Clarity Hamlet will host one and two weeklong stays
Friday November 1, 2024: Clarity Hamlet will a one weeklong stay only DATE FULL IN CLARITY
Friday, November 8, 2024: Registration for this date is now closed
Friday, November 22, 2024: Solidity & Clarity Hamlet will host one and two weeklong stays DATE FULL IN CLARITY
Friday November 29, 2024: Clarity Hamlet will host one and two weeklong stays DATE FULL IN CLARITY HAMLET
Friday, December 6, 2024: Solidity & Clarity Hamlet will host one and two weeklong stays DATE FULL IN CLARITY HAMLET
Friday December 13, 2024: Clarity Hamlet will host a one weeklong stay only DATE FULL IN CLARITY
Friday, December 20, 2024: Solidity Hamlet will host one weeklong stay only & Clarity Hamlet will host a weekend stay only DATE FULL IN CLARITY HAMLET
Friday, January 10, 2025: Solidity Hamlet will host a weekend stay only
Pricing:
- Tent – Adult $70/night | Teen $56/night | Child $35/night
- 6 Bed Dorm – Adult $100/night | Teen $80/night | Child $50/ night
- 3 Bed Dorm – Adult $140/night | Teen $112/night | Child $70/ night
Cancellation Policy:
For cancellations made prior to arrival day, partial refunds will be available with a cancellation fee of $10 per night for adults, and $5 per night for teens and children 6 years and older. Cancellations made on or after the retreat arrival day do not qualify for a refund. Registration is non-transferable.
Scholarships
A limited number of scholarships are available through a new grant we have received from the Hemera Foundation. To learn more and apply, visit the grant information page.
Important Information
Only the dates listed above should be entered as your arrival date. The duration should coincide with the date selected. Please do not make travel arrangements to the monastery until you receive full confirmation from our registration office, which typically takes place within a week or two after payment has been made.
Seasonal retreats at Deer Park Monastery are available during many months of the year. Guests register to practice mindfulness with the community while following the daily schedule of the monastery. Accommodation options include a space in a shared dorm room or bringing your own tent to camp in our campgrounds. Depending on the availability of the specific arrival day, guests may register for a weekend, one week, or two weeks. Seasonal retreats are residential retreats; therefore, commuting is not an option.
To support stability in our practice, we observe designated arrival and departure days. All seasonal retreats start on Friday afternoon with a check-in time between 2 and 4 PM. Please arrange to arrive during check-in time. One and two week-long retreats end on Friday at 9 AM. Weekend retreats end on Sunday around 3 PM.
Where do you stay for a Seasonal Retreat?
Deer Park Monastery is comprised of two hamlets. Clarity Hamlet is where nuns (women) reside, and Solidity Hamlet is where monks (men) reside. During your visit, most of the practice will take place in the hamlet where you reside. The only exceptions are for the early morning sitting meditation and bi-weekly Day of Mindfulness, during which time we practice together. If you are staying in Clarity, you will follow the Clarity schedule. And if you stay in Solidity, you will follow the Solidity schedule.
Clarity Hamlet has accommodations (both camping and dorms) for those identified as female at birth, including same-gender female couples.
Solidity Hamlet has accommodations (both camping and dorms) for those identified as male at birth, including couples where one person is male.
Our registration office supports our gender-nonconforming friends by identifying the most supportive hamlet and accommodation for your stay. Please feel free to make a note for us in your registration form.
Special Retreats
All of our special retreats are listed on our Calendar.
Long-Term Residency
Practitioners who wish to stay and practice with us for three months or longer can apply online after carefully reviewing the requirements and eligibility criteria below. You must register/apply to the appropriate hamlet. Solidity Hamlet is where men, non-binary friends who were AMAB & mixed gender couples stay alongside the brothers. Clarity Hamlet is where women & non-binary friends who were AFAB stay alongside the sisters.
Solidity Hamlet (Monks/men)
Due to a large construction project underway, Solidity Hamlet will respectfully not be open for receiving seasonal retreat guests through the spring & summer of 2024.
Clarity Hamlet (Nuns/women)
Dear friends,
Living in a healthy environment is an essential condition for nurturing wholesome seeds in us so that they may grow stronger day by day. A mindful environment also enables us to deepen our practice and understanding of the Buddha’s teachings. Gradually, we can recognize the roots of our pain and suffering, transforming them and bringing peace to ourselves and our loved ones.
Having listened deeply to these needs in us and in you, Sisters of Clarity Hamlet at Deer Park Monastery reflected together and agreed that this is the right time for us to establish a long-term training program for lay friends who want to practice and serve the community. You are welcome to practice with us at Deer Park Monastery for a period of three months to one year.
During your stay at the monastery, you will be able to participate in all Sangha activities, including sitting meditation, walking meditation, eating meditation, listening to the bell, listening to the Dharma talks, singing meditation, practicing loving speech and deep listening, etc. You will also work side by side with our Sisters to serve the Sangha and share joy with those who come to us. Living mindfully together, we can do many wonderful deeds to help alleviate the suffering in society, a feat that we would not be able to accomplish alone.
Your sincere presence and practice will help strengthen the Sangha’s energy and further our joy of service.
May you be well, enjoying peaceful breath and steps wherever you are,
The Nuns of Clarity Hamlet
Deer Park Monastery
If you are interested in participating in this program, please REVIEW the following before applying:
If you have additional questions about applying for the long-term program in Clarity Hamlet, please reach out to clarity.longterm@deerparkmonastery.org.