Forest Refuge Schedule 2023

Please take note of our COVID-19 safety protocolshere.

To explore virtual program options, please visit the IMS Online page.

IMS’s Forest Refuge program supports experienced meditators in sustained, longer-term retreat practice. A personal retreat, under the guidance of the following teachers, helps strengthen practice faith, confidence and self-reliance.

Please note

A self-sustaining practice is necessary to undertake a Forest Refuge retreat.
Before you apply, please make sure you meet the Forest Refuge application requirements. We expect that candidates have participated in at least one six-week structured and teacher-led insight meditation retreat, or six similar one-week retreats.
The teaching schedule may change without notice. It is our intention that retreatants will have the opportunity to practice with a variety of experienced and well-qualified insight meditation teachers.
When retreat space is limited, priority will be given to those applying for longer stays.

Forest Refuge Photo Gallery

The quiet environs of the Forest Refuge become all the more serene during winter months.

Winter at the Forest Refuge — Winter serenity at the Forest Refuge.

Supporting our teachers

Here at IMS, our teachers are continuing the ancient Buddhist monastic tradition of freely offering the teachings while living in the midst of contemporary society. What this means is that they rely on the generosity of retreat participants for a sustainable income.

There is an opportunity at the end of your personal retreat to make an offering to teachers – this is known as teacher dana. At the Forest Refuge, where retreatants often stay for long periods, IMS supplements teacher dana as needed to provide an adequate offering.

Your contributions help teachers to lead a life devoted to teaching both at IMS and in other parts of the world, including communities without the means to donate. Your gifts also allow teachers to take time for their own practice, ensuring that their teachings are continuously enriched.

For availability of specific dates, call 978-355-2063 or email fr@dharma.org.

Open

Registration is still open for this retreat!

December 1 - December 31, 2023

Caroline Jones & Nakawe Cuebas Berrios

The teachers intend to support each person’s practice and honor their individual path in the dhamma. Winter can be a wonderful time to deepen our practice and we will include some reflections on the season and the solstice.

Teachers