Typical Retreat Schedule in the WDC
Upon arrival, you will be provided a schedule to follow, similar to the one below. Each retreat is unique, but most of our retreats include: dharma talks, small group discussion, nature walks, qigong, and sitting and chanting meditation.
Arrival Day:
- 3:30-5pm: Registration
- 5:30pm: Dinner followed by orientation
- 7:30pm: Opening Circle
- Noble Silence usually begins upon leaving the IlWon Hall (the main meditation hall)
- 10pm: Lights out
Full Retreat Days:
- 5:40am: Wake up
- 6:00am: Early morning meditation
- 7:30am: Breakfast
- 9:30am: Morning practice (qigong, sitting, and a dharma talk)
- 10:40am: Break
- 11:00am: Small group discussion
- 12:00pm: Lunch
- 2:00pm: Nature walk or walking meditation
- 3:00pm: Break
- 3:30pm: Afternoon practice (yoga, qigong, sitting, tea meditation or art booth)
- 5:30pm: Dinner
- 7:00pm: Evening practice
- 8:30pm: Preparation for bed & sleep
- 10:00pm: Lights out
Departure Day:
- 5:40am: Wake up
- 6:00am: Early morning meditation (noble silence ends)
- 7:30am: Breakfast
- 10:00am: Sunday dharma service with a local community (if Sunday)
- 11:20am: Closing circle
- 12:00pm: Lunch (departure by 1:00 pm)
While on retreat, we encourage you to let go of your expectations about how the retreat “should” be. Allow yourself this opportunity to observe your reactions and to gently let go of them. Retreats are special opportunities to sink into a rhythm that doesn’t require constant checking and planning. We invite you to unfold your true nature, as together we create the spiritual vessel of each retreat.