FAQ

What is retreat life like?

At the IMS Retreat Center, most retreats follow a typical daily schedule that starts at 5:00 am and ends at 10:00 pm. The day is spent in silent practice comprising alternate periods of sitting and walking meditation. Three meals are served – breakfast, lunch and a light dinner. Comprehensive meditation instruction and talks about the Buddha's teachings are offered daily. In addition, individual or group interviews with the teachers take place at regular intervals.

A short work period is set aside each day, usually lasting 45 minutes-1 hour. This gives retreatants an opportunity to practice mindfulness throughout everyday activities, from chopping vegetables or washing dishes to vacuuming or cleaning bathrooms. This voluntary service period is essential to the smooth operation of IMS and allows us to provide courses at affordable rates.

Our retreat environment, with its simple yet nourishing lifestyle has been developed over several decades and is designed to support and enhance your meditation practice.

Learn more about a personal retreat at the Forest Refuge.

What should I pack?

Learn more about what to bring on retreat.

How do I get here?

Learn more about directions and information on getting to IMS.

When do I arrive and leave?

At the Retreat Center

Please arrive at the Retreat Center between 3:00 pm – 6:00 pm on the opening day of your course. If you've never been here before, we ask that you arrive by 5:00 pm at the latest. This will give you time to register and settle in to your room, before taking an orientation tour of the center and having supper. The retreat will begin in the early evening.

Most courses end in the late morning on the final day of the course; weekend retreats can finish around 3:00 pm. After a closing ceremony, there is an opportunity to talk with fellow participants, as well as to purchase books, tapes and other items.

At the Forest Refuge

It is best to arrive at the Forest Refuge between 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm. If this isn't possible, please notify our office.

If no one is in the office when you arrive, please check the bulletin board in the lobby of the Administration building for your welcome packet, containing your room number as well as a map of the center. You can begin your retreat on the evening of your arrival.

Your confirmation letter gives the date your retreat ends. Since it is quite likely that the next retreatant to occupy your room will arrive the same day that you leave, we ask that you vacate your room by 10:00 am on your final day.

Why are retreats in silence?

Once your course begins, you will be asked to honor what is known as 'noble silence' - a quieting of the body and voice that helps cultivate a calm and peaceful retreat environment. This powerful tool greatly enhances the deepening of concentration and awareness. Noble silence also fosters a sense of safety and spiritual refuge, even in a course filled with up to 100 participants.

Our teachers request that you not engage in other forms of communication while on retreat. Noble silence also encompasses avoiding reading, writing, keeping a journal, receiving mail, using the telephone, or otherwise keeping busy and distracted. By leaving at home the many activities and communications that worldly life entails, you offer yourself the gift of stillness.

Silence is broken at the end of Retreat Center courses, in time to allow you to talk and share your experience with other participants.

At the Forest Refuge, we ask that you honor the request for silence, once your retreat is over, until you have left the facility.

What are accommodations like?

At the Retreat Center

The IMS Retreat Center is set amidst some 200 secluded wooded acres in the quiet country of central Massachusetts. Its buildings include the main original structure that features four front white columns and the word 'Metta' clearly portrayed on the portico. There are two dormitory additions, known as the 'Catskills' and the 'Annex.' There is also a large, recently renovated meditation hall. All are attached and linked via indoor walkways.

Some buildings can accommodate individuals with disabilities. If you are disabled, please contact us before arrival to make appropriate arrangements.

Bedrooms are small singles or doubles, simply yet comfortably furnished for each retreatant with a twin bed, sink, closet and chair. A thermostat in each room allows you to adjust the heat. A pillow and two blankets are provided. If travel arrangements permit, please bring your own sheets, pillow case, towels, and additional blankets or sleeping bags.

Those with medical needs have first priority for single rooms; unless there are medical reasons (e.g. a need for wheelchair access), requests for particular rooms cannot be accommodated. We strongly encourage roommates in double rooms to work out any details for harmonious relations prior to the beginning of silence!

Men and women do not share rooms and whenever possible are assigned different floors. Communal toilet and shower facilities are located on each floor.

Camping is not available.

At the Forest Refuge

Accommodations at the Forest Refuge are all single rooms, each with a twin-size mattress on a low wooden bed frame, two pillows and two blankets. There is also an individual thermostat to adjust the heat, a sink, closet, desk and chair. If travel allows, please bring your own towels and linens; if you are coming from a distance, we can provide these.

If you have a specific medical requirement, such as chemical sensitivity or needing wheelchair access, please contact us in advance regarding appropriate arrangements.

Due to the Forest Refuge's unstructured retreat environment with ongoing arrivals and departures, it isn't possible to assign different floors to women and men. Single, enclosed toilet and shower stalls, used by both men and women, are located at the end of each floor.

What will I eat?

Learn more ...

What if I get sick on retreat?

IMS supplies some first aid materials, in case of common, non-serious ailments or injuries.

If you have a known serious medical condition, however, please be aware that Barre is a small country town without the variety of specialized medical care found in larger cities. Other than first aid items, we do not supply medicines – we ask that you bring what you might need with you.

In the event of a medical emergency, IMS will call 911. If an illness requires nursing care, it will be necessary to leave the retreat to recuperate.

We suggest that all retreatants have medical insurance or sufficient funds to cover the costs of any medical care that might be required.

For less urgent conditions, we provide information on local area doctors and alternative therapists, and ask that you take care of your own appointments and transportation.

Learn more about important health care information.

What about sensitivity to fragrance and chemicals?

Because meditation retreat practice can lead to a heightened sense of awareness, some participants may develop a sensitivity to odors and perfumes, and some are allergic to many chemicals. Please do not bring or use perfumes or scented shampoos, ointments or lotions; we suggest that you bring unscented products with you, if possible. We stock a small selection of such items that can be purchased on arrival or during your retreat.

If you are acutely chemically sensitive, please let us know.

Can I smoke?

Smoking is only permitted in a designated outdoor smoking area. At the Retreat Center, this is the porch alongside the garage beside the main building. At the Forest Refuge, it is located behind the pole barn.

Smokers must bring all their own tobacco supplies. To minimize odors we ask you to wash your hands after smoking and not to wear smoke-filled clothing in the meditation hall. Smoking is not permitted indoors or elsewhere on the grounds or in the woods.

Can I light candles or incense?

Due to fire regulations, we do not allow you to light candles or burn incense, or light fires of any kind on IMS property. Exceptions to this rule are:

• Smokers' use of the smoking area at each center - please see above.
• Lighting Shabbat and other religious candles - our office staff can let you know the allocated space for this. (Please bring your own supplies.)
• During some retreats, teachers have permission to light ceremonial candles and incense in the meditation hall.

Who do I contact if I have more questions?

If you have any further questions about your stay at the Retreat Center, please do not hesitate to call (978) 355-4378, or email rc@dharma.org before coming. For Forest Refuge questions, please call (978) 355-2063 or email fr@dharma.org.

We hope you have a fruitful and inspiring retreat with us here at IMS, and we look forward to greeting you in person!