Arrived at Home: Mindfulness Retreat with Monastics from Deer Park Monastery

You are warmly invited to a Mindfulness Retreat with visiting monastics from Deer Park Monastery in Southern California, with the theme: “Arrived at Home.”

During this 4-day retreat, we will gather together to practice mindfulness and the teachings of Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh in the Plum Village tradition of Engaged Buddhism. The retreat will be hosted by monastics from Deer Park Monastery, as part of their Pacific Northwest teaching tour.

The retreat will include: live Dharma talks, guided and silent sitting meditation, mindful meals in silence, outdoor walking meditation, Dharma sharing in small groups, deep relaxation, and other mindfulness practices while being in beloved community with each other.

Details

Location: The retreat will happen at Lewis & Clark College in Portland, OR.

Accommodations: Rooms are either double or single occupancy rooms with access to a semi-private bathroom (private bathrooms that are shared among several rooms). A limited number of ADA compliant guest rooms are also available upon request.

Arrival: Arrival time is between 1-4PM Saturday (August 1) to check in and settle. Dinner will be the first formal meal offered on Saturday in the dining hall, so please bring a picnic lunch. (Note, the program schedule is still being finalized, so we will send/post a more detailed schedule very soon!)

Departure: The retreat will formally end on Tuesday (August 4), with lunch being the last meal served on that day.

Meals: All meals will be vegetarian. Please note any specific dietary restrictions or allergies you have on the registration form.

Schedule: A sample schedule of the retreat program will be provided later in a confirmation email, along with other arrival details and guidelines.

Pricing

This retreat offers a sliding scale based on your relative financial standing. In an effort to reflect disparity in economic condition and access to wealth, the following payment system is designed for those with more wealth to help cover the costs of those with less access to wealth and resources. We trust your discernment of your current financial situation and how you fit into the global economic context, and we extend our wholehearted appreciation for any additional funds to help us support those in need of scholarship aides in order to attend this retreat.

As you decide what amount to pay, please consider your present-day financial situation governed by income, but also the following factors: historical discrimination faced by your peoples; your financial wealth (retirement/savings/investments); your access to income and financial wealth, both current and anticipated (how easily could you earn more income compared to other people in your community, country, and the world; are you expecting an inheritance); people counting on your financial livelihood including dependents and community members; the socio-economic conditions of your locale (relative to other places in your country and in the world); your relationship to food & resource scarcity.

• $650 Partner
• $450  Supporter (Note: This amount reflects the “real” suggested value of this offering.)
• $350   Friend

The registration fee includes access to the all the retreat program activities, lodging accommodations, and meals.

Additional Options

Extra Night ($65): For those who wish to stay in the dorms for an extra night (the night of Tues Aug 4, departing the morning of Wed Aug 5), can choose this option as an add-on in the registration form. This option is to allow for people with any traveling constraints or need to travel the following morning for safety reasons. Note that if you choose this option, the dining hall will not be open, so you will be responsible for your own meals Tues evening and Wed morning.

Commuter Rate ($260): There is a rate for commuters, who wish to attend the retreat but live in the Portland area and would like to commute, rather than stay on campus in the dorms. The Commuter option is open only for local long-time practitioners, who have extensive retreat experience, and solid practice of mindfulness at home. The on-campus residential aspect of the retreat is part of the mindful container that is created by the community practicing together in an intimate setting and is necessary support for those who are first-time retreatants or who have little experience practicing in a retreat setting.

Children/Minors: Please note that there will NOT be any formal children’s program offered in this retreat, nor will there by any childcare provided on the campus. Retreatants who don’t have childcare or would like to bring family members (over the age of 8) are welcome to do so, but will be responsible for supervising all minors for the duration of the retreat.

Registration will close on July 1st, 2026. In the event of cancellation, a partial (75%) refund will be provided through July 1st. After July 1st, we will not be able to offer any refunds. Thank you for your understanding. If you have any further questions or concerns, please email Chaz Dutoit (chaz62@comcast.net)