After so long and so difficult a journey, we are happy to share that we will be offering on-campus retreats at the Retreat Center and the Forest Refuge this fall. Here is some information that may be useful to you:
The Retreat Center will open on October 5 with a shortened version of the 3-month retreat (for this year, we’ll offer two 3-week retreats). December retreats will follow, including our annual New Year’s retreat. Information about registering for these October-December 2021 programs is available here, and the Retreat Center 2022 programs will open for registrations in August.
The Forest Refuge will open on November 1. Forest Refuge 2021 and 2022 retreats for experienced meditators are open for applications now.
IMS Online will continue to offer virtual programming not only until the campus reopens, but beyond that, remaining an essential part of increasing access and supporting our mission. To see current IMS Online courses, click here.
COVID Safety and Vaccination
As you might expect of us—and as we surely expect of ourselves—extraordinary care has gone into preparing for this day. Our essential role as a silent meditation retreat center is the creation and the holding of a safe space for all who come to IMS—retreatants, teachers, volunteers, and staff. A world with COVID requires we implement new safety measures as well as look anew at everything we do and have done for so long. Our website details information about our new safety protocols, and you can read about them here. We will keep this page updated as necessary.
We have chosen to require proof of COVID vaccination from all staff, teachers, and yogis who come to campus this year. This is not a decision we made lightly. In the end, it reflects both our obligation and fierce commitment to keeping our work and practice space as safe as possible, as well as the reality that the science and trajectory of the virus is still unfolding. This policy is in effect this year, and we’ll revisit the decision next year as conditions merit. Anyone who is not vaccinated this year can still participate in opportunities for deep practice and teacher connection at IMS Online. If this decision causes you concern, we hope you will accept our most sincere apologies.
In closing, we offer our profound gratitude to this extraordinary community that has loved and supported IMS through the most challenging era in its history. We have arrived at this point, able to look ahead to practicing together in person and virtually, because of the many ways you helped us hold steady on the long road behind us. Thank you.
May all continue to find health and healing, and comfort in the strength and resilience of our sangha.
