A silent retreat is a wonderful opportunity to deepen one’s meditation practice. However, continuous practice can be taxing both physically and psychologically. If you have recently experienced significant trauma, depression or anxiety, or are experiencing strong PTSD symptoms, a silent retreat might not be appropriate for you at this time. Consider contacting a therapist to help assess whether a retreat is right for you.

Covid requirements may be adjusted as the situation requires. We are no longer requiring participants to be fully vaccinated. Mask policy will be determined at the time of the retreat. If you become sick during the retreat, for the safety of your fellow retreatants you may be asked to isolate, wear a mask or leave the retreat at the discretion of IM Cleveland.

If you need to cancel your registration, please contact the retreat manager.

We will provide a refund minus a $25 cancelation fee for cancelations up until 3 weeks before the beginning of the retreat. After that time we cannot provide a refund except in the case of communicable illness (please don’t come if you are experiencing flu or Covid symptoms).

Unless otherwise indicated, all rooms are private with a shared bath. There is a sink in each room and linens are provided. You are welcome to bring extra blankets, towels and pillows if you like.

We segregate housing by gender, so on the registration form you are asked which gender you prefer to be housed with. If this is a problem, please contact the retreat organizer.

All meals are vegetarian. Unfortunately, we can’t accommodate all food preferences. The kitchen will provide dairy- and/or gluten-free options if you request it on the registration form. If you have allergies or health-related food concerns, please contact the retreat manager.

There is a refrigerator available for your use and you are welcome to bring your own food.

The meals provided are dinner on Friday; breakfast, lunch and dinner on Saturday; and breakfast on Sunday. Depending on the venue, lunch may also be provided on Sunday.

Check-in usually begins at 5:00 p.m. on Friday and dinner is served at 6:00 p.m. The retreat usually wraps up by noon on Sunday. Depending on the venue, lunch may be served on Sunday. Details will be provided via email for your particular retreat.

It is expected that you will attend the entire retreat. If circumstances require that you arrive late or leave early, please contact the retreat manager.

We maintain noble silence from the end of dinner on Friday until the close of the retreat on Sunday. The schedule generally consist of alternating periods of sitting and walking meditation. Meditation instruction and talks about the Buddha’s teachings are offered each day. In addition, there may be small group meetings with the teacher where you may ask questions.

Noble silence is a practice of not feeling obligated to speak for a set period of time. It involves being silent with the body, speech, and mind and includes not only avoiding speaking, but also avoiding gesturing or making eye contact with others. Writing and reading are also discouraged so that retreatants can better stay with their own present experience as it unfolds moment to moment. Your noble silence will allow you to go deeper into your practice and affords others the space to do the same.

There will be scheduled times to ask questions of the teacher. You may also communicate with the teacher or retreat manager at any time via a message board.

The retreat centers accommodate  people with mobility limitations. If you are disabled or have health concerns, please contact us before registering to determine whether a retreat is suitable for you.

In order to create a supportive environment of silence and simplicity, we ask that you refrain from using cellphones or other communications devices. You are strongly encouraged to leave your phone at home or in your car.

If a member of your immediate family has a situation that requires you to be reachable, you may provide them with the phone number of the retreat manager (available when you check in).

Bed linens, a blanket, one pillow and a towel are provided. You are welcome to bring your own if you prefer.

There are chairs in the meditation hall, and we have a limited number of meditation cushions and benches. If you have your own cushion or bench, feel free to bring it.

We generally don’t wear shoes in the meditation hall, so you may want to bring heavy socks or slippers.

A bell is rung when it is time to wake up and at the beginning of each sitting and walking period, but you may wish to bring an alarm clock and/or a watch.

Please bring unscented hygiene products and consider washing your cloths with unscented detergent before arriving. Retreat practice can lead to a heightened sense of awareness and some participants develop a sensitivity to perfumes and odors. We have a small selection of personal hygiene products available in case you forgot something.

Pets are not allowed at the retreat venues.

The cost of the retreat covers only IM Cleveland’s expenses. In keeping with ancient tradition, the teachings of the Buddha are offered freely—the teacher receives no compensation from IM Cleveland for teaching. 

At retreat’s end, students have an opportunity to practice dana (generosity) by offering a contribution. There is no specific contribution amount expected; give what feels right. Please think of this as an integral part of practice.

Full payment is due at the time of registration. We accept credit card payments and bank drafts via Zeffy, our registration platform.

We will not turn anyone away because they can’t afford to pay. You may sign up for a full or partial scholarship (select the Scholarship ticket). We will contact you to discuss what you can afford and what we can offer.