Connecting with Our Hearts: IMS's Final Family Retreat

Registration for this retreat is closed

Closed
Registration is closed for this retreat.
July 16 - July 21, 2014 (Wednesday to Monday)


If you have previously attended an IMS Family Retreat, we invite you to apply.

All scholarship funds have been awarded.



The Buddha taught that all conditioned things have a beginning, a middle, and an end. And so it is with this Family Retreat - the 2014 course will be the last to be held at IMS. For the past 30 years or so, families, volunteers, teachers and staff have helped establish a rich environment for practice, friendship and fun, where cutting-edge experiments in relational dharma have unfolded.

The 2014 retreat will continue the experiment of connecting our hearts. Together, we will cultivate the beautiful mind states of lovingkindness, compassion, appreciative joy and equanimity. These practices will support us as we both acknowledge the array of emotions evoked by this ending and celebrate the gifts we have received over the years.

The teachers and staff are planning a celebration of the 30-year history of the Family Retreat at IMS. This will take place on the last afternoon of the course, July 20. Families who have attended the retreat in the past are warmly invited to this gathering, even if you are not participating in the 2014 course. More details will be posted here and emailed.

This course gives parents of young children the chance for supported practice time. An adult dharma program and a simultaneous, separate program for children aged 2-14 years (at the time of the retreat) take place each morning and evening. A parent or friend needs to stay with any child under two years old at all times. Families gather together three times daily.

This retreat is not open to teens aged 15 or older; however, those aged 14-18 may apply to serve as Young Adult Helpers.

If your teen is interested in serving as a Young Adult Helper, an application process is necessary. Please make sure the application reaches us prior to the lottery date.

For the children's program, which is staffed by volunteers who coordinate age-appropriate activities, a sliding scale fee applies: each family unit pays $60 - $175. Please specify the name, full date of birth and gender of all children when you register.

For those with allergies, please note that IMS serves peanut butter at some meals. Since all IMS accommodations are now singles - i.e. with just one bed - those wishing to share their room with other family members should bring enough suitable mattresses.

Teachers