Adamah Meditation Retreat

Registration covers only the costs of operating the retreat. In keeping with Jewish and Buddhist traditions of generosity, the teachers are supported through donations (tzedakah / dana)  offered at the end of the retreat.

For context, comparable residential Jewish meditation retreats that include teacher compensation in their registration often cost $2,000–5,000 for a retreat of similar length. We intentionally separate retreat expenses from teacher support so that generosity itself becomes part of the retreat practice, allowing each participant to contribute according to their circumstances and the value they have received

While there is no required amount, many participants find that a gift in the range of $300-1000 feels meaningful, with those who have greater financial capacity often giving more, making it possible for others to give less while helping sustain the teachers and future retreats. If your financial situation is more limited, please know that every gift that is whole-heartedly offered to express gratitude is both part of the practice and deeply appreciated.

Registration covers only the costs of operating the retreat. In keeping with Jewish and Buddhist traditions of generosity, the teachers are supported through donations (tzedakah / dana)  offered at the end of the retreat.

For context, comparable residential Jewish meditation retreats that include teacher compensation in their registration often cost $2,000–5,000 for a retreat of similar length. We intentionally separate retreat expenses from teacher support so that generosity itself becomes part of the retreat practice, allowing each participant to contribute according to their circumstances and the value they have received

While there is no required amount, many participants find that a gift in the range of $300-1000 feels meaningful, with those who have greater financial capacity often giving more, making it possible for others to give less while helping sustain the teachers and future retreats. If your financial situation is more limited, please know that every gift that is whole-heartedly offered to express gratitude is both part of the practice and deeply appreciated.

This retreat is five days of intensive meditation! But we promise, it is easier than it sounds. Each day includes five 45-minute meditation ‘sits’, four periods of walking meditation, group davvenen’ (Jewish prayer), an instructional class on meditation practice, an optional yoga class, an evening talk, and other sessions. The schedule is based on many years of experience and careful attention to the conditions conducive to developing calm and insight. Many retreatants find it helpful to “surrender” to the schedule, and, in general, we recommend that. Others find their own pace and level of intensity. You’ll receive a full schedule on arrival (please arrive Sunday between 2 and 5 pm so you have time to unpack before retreat begins).

Mostly yes! To slow down the mind, build calm and mindfulness, and open the heart, we will be in “friendly” silence from Sunday evening until Friday morning. The practice of silence is an ancient one in many traditions, and it allows the attention to turn inward. However, there will be plenty of opportunities to use your voice, such as davvenen’ and interviews with teachers. For emergencies, you can leave notes for staff and teachers, and some communication may be necessary in those circumstances.

No electronic devices are to be used while you are on retreat. Turn your phone off and put it away! We’ve found that even brief check-ins create a lot of disturbance in the mind that can make your practice much more difficult. If you must use a mobile device for family or medical reasons, you should do so where other retreatants will not see or hear you, such as your car or away from the retreat buildings. Even reading can stir up the mind, so we strongly advise you not to do so, and request that you not do so where others can see you.

Often silence indicates cold distance, but this is meant to be a loving silence. While we do request that you refrain from trying to communicate with others, even non-verbally, occasional, accidental contact is okay. During sitting meditation sessions, however, we are more careful about limiting any sound (sniffling, shifting position, moving around) that could disturb others, and restrict entry to the meditation hall after sessions have begun. Mostly, we hope you will come to experience this silence as warm, friendly, and supportive.

From the moment the bell is rung at the start of a sit until it is rung again at the end, there should be no entering or exiting the meditation hall. As you’ll find out, even quiet sounds can be very disturbing. Please arrive a few minutes early for each sit so that you can settle in before the bell rings. If you are even one minute late, you will find the door closed. Do not open it. Instead, please sit somewhere other than the meditation hall. Except in cases of physical or emotional necessity, or if you think that sounds you are making are disturbing others, please do not leave the hall before the ending bell has rung, and if you do leave, do not re-enter.
We ask that you remove your shoes before entering the hall and that you enter quietly and carefully so you don’t disturb other retreatants. It’s fine to bring water into the hall as long as it is in a closed container. Please don’t bring any other food or beverage into the meditation hall.

Please also be aware that sound carries into the meditation hall from the hallway.

Trick question! You can practice mindfulness from the moment you open your eyes in the morning until the moment you close them at night. So really, you’re never not meditating. It will help your practice immensely if you regard it as continuous, all the time. No matter what activity you are doing—eating, showering, walking to your room—you can do it mindfully and keep your practice going. Many people find it helpful to walk and move more slowly than normal on retreat. This may look strange at first, but quieting the body quiets the mind. Enjoy!

There will be two group interviews during the week when you can speak with teachers in a small group setting. For emergencies, there will be a box in the lobby where you can leave notes for staff and teachers. All notes will be read, but most will not be answered, in order to support your inner silence. They should be used for pressing matters only. Please do not leave notes for other retreatants, as this could disturb the other person’s retreat.

We generally recommend against reading on retreat. It’s fine to jot a few notes during your retreat, but long journaling is generally not recommended. These activities tend to stir up the mind, and can be unhelpful distractions. If you do choose to engage in some inspirational reading or to journal, we ask that you do so in your room and not in the meditation hall, lobby, or other communal spaces.

We’re happy to have you – Orthodox participants join us every year. Our facilities are certified Kosher by the HKC. Please note that our services are in the Renewal tradition and a traditional minyan is not possible during retreat (kaddish is said at the end of morning davvenen). Please contact us with any questions.

Unfortunately, no. Leaving early can be very disruptive for others on retreat. Guests will be welcome to depart after we come out of silence in the morning on the last day of the retreat.

Please note that an early or unscheduled departure will prevent you from joining the retreat in the future.

No special preparation is necessary. It will help your practice if you get plenty of sleep this weekend, and if you’re not doing anything too wild and crazy. Just come with an open mind and generous heart!