Awaken Insight Retreats
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  • Dhamma Sukha
  • Good Friends Retreat
  • Easter Retreat 2021
  • Easter Retreat 2022
  • June-July Retreat 2020
  • Dhamma Sukha, May-Oct
  • Retreat Leaders
    • Bhante Vimalaramsi
    • David Johnson
    • Doug Kraft
    • Mark Berger
    • Rachael O'Brien
    • Scott A. Jordan
    • Sister Khema
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Good Friends Retreat: Easter week 2022
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St. Francis Retreat Center, San Juan Bautista is a 2 hour dirve from San Francisco.
Dive Deep into Meditation
This is a kalyāṇa-mitta retreat. Good friends or kalyāṇa-mitta also mean admirable friends—a Buddhist concept designating spiritual friendships among peers. This is a community hosted retreat for mutual benefit with wholesome practice leading to liberation. Welcome.
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"Admirable friendship, admirable companionship, admirable camaraderie is actually the whole of the holy life. When a monk has admirable people as friends, companions, and comrades, he can be expected to develop and pursue the Noble Eightfold Path."  —Buddha
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The retreat begins Friday at 5:00 PM and ends on the following Saturday after breakfast and a closing circle. ​The retreat provides an ideal environment for self direct meditation surround with natural tranquil beauty. Practice will be conducted in meditative silence with optional participation in  community dhamma discussions nightly 7-8:30 PM. The buildings and grounds are a mobile divice-free zone where they should remain in the off position until after the morning meditation on the last day when meditative silence ends. A retreat managers will be on hand to provide support and assistance. 
About St. Francis Retreat Center
​Located 83 miles south of San Francisco International Airport, the St. Francis Retreat center is situated on a sunny hillside only a few miles from the historic San Juan Bautista Mission. The contemporary Spanish-style building complex is nestled among shade trees and vineyards on 70 acres of rolling hills. The spacious Fireside room serves as a central meditation hall with optional indoor and outdoor practice areas throughout the complex.
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Located on 70 acres of serene countryside.
The center is ideal for meditation, with abundant places for for seated and walking practice. Exceptional walking areas surround with woodland paths and lake trails that surround the facility. The chapel and library reading rooms offer warmth and seclusion. A modern dining hall offers vegetarian and non-vegetarian buffet style meals that may be supplemented by participants. A community refrigerator and microwave is available for those with special dietary needs or desire an evening snack.
Optional Group Sessions
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Spanish architecture blended with nature.
1.  Scheduled group meditation sittings are optional attend. See schedule for details.

2.  The retreat will be in meditative silence with the exception of an evening dhamma discussion period for those interested in attending. A designation will  be provided to anyone wishing to conduct the entire retreat in total meditative silence.

​3.  An oral recitation of the Buddhist refuges and 5 precepts at 7:00 AM daily in the main meditation hall. These comprise a code of conduct recommend by the Buddha as a foundation for meditation
Meals and Menu
The dining room offers indoor and outdoor patio seating with views of lawns and gardens. Meals are prepared and offerd buffet style by St. Francis's gourmet chef. The menu features vegetarian and non-vegetarian entrees with meats or fish and abundant choice of side dishes and salad.
 Buffet style are served at 8:00 AM and 12:00 Noon. No evening meal is served; however, participants may keep pre-prepared foods in the community refrigerator. Food is not allowed in rooms. 
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 A toaster and microwave along hot water for tea, chocolate, and coffee are available 24/7.
Single and Double Occupancy
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Rooms include bathroom with shower, two twin beds, linens, ​blankets, and towels. A limited number of cabins are available for families with children. 

Registration
Complete and submit the online registration form by clicking the button below. Your registration will be processed and confirmed in the order received. A $250 deposit is required. Credit card and PayPal payments include bank processing fees. ​

Three-day retreat options are available by special arrangement. Contact a retreat manager for details and restrictions.
Online Registration

Pay Fees by Check or Money Order
Single Occupancy = $000,  Deposit=$000
Double Occupancy = $000,  Deposit=$000
Early Arrivals by special arrangement = $000, per day
Make check or money order payable to UIBDS and mail to:
​Retreat Manager, 315 N. Cottonwood St., #12 Woodland CA 95695  
Balance due by 10/1/18

Pay fees by Credit Card or PayPal ​(includes 3% bank processing fee)
Single Occupancy = $008,  Deposit=$008
Double Occupancy = $006,  Deposit=$006
Early Arrivals by special arrangement = $00, per day
Pay By Credit card & PAYPAL
Deposits are fully refundable less any processing fees until 00/0/00. 
Balance of payment is due not later than 00/0/00.


Schedule
Participants self-direct sitting and walking meditation in harmony with their individual practice requirements in silence.

Bells will be rung at meal times and dhamma discussion only.

FIRST DAY
3:00–4:3o pm  Check-in
5:oo pm    Orientation
6:00 pm    Dinner 

7:00 pm    Opening Circle

DAILY SCHEDULE 
7:00 am      Group sit
(optional)
8:00 am      (bell) Breakfast 
9:00 am      
Group Sit (optional)
12:00 pm     (bell) Mid-day meal
2:00 pm      
Group Sit (optional)
7:00 pm       (bell) Dhamma Discussion

LAST DAY 
6:30 am          
(bell)
7:00 am          Group sit (optional)
8:00 am          (bell) Breakfast
9:00 - 10:00  
(bell) Closing Cirecle  

Arrival and Departure
Plan to arrive at St. Francis Retreat Center between 3:00 and 4:30 PM for orientation followed by a buffet dinner and opining circle. Check-in and room assignment will begin at 3:30 PM. Park near the lower building where the bedrooms and central meditation hall are located. 

The retreat will end after breakfast and the closing circle on Saturday morning  with time to socialize, take photos, and pack. All participants must depart the ground by 10:30 AM. Traffic on 101 is usually light at that time with an approximately 90-minute drive to SFO and 2 hours to San Francisco.
Arrival by Air
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Out-of-town participants requiring ground transportation to the retreat center should coordinate flight arrival and departure times with the retreat manager before booking. Ride sharing with local participants will be arranged by the  with volunteers attending the retreat.

Participants arriving at SFO on the first day of the retreat must be available for pick-up outside baggage claim or a nearby hotel by 10:00 AM

Return transportation to SFO or nearby hotels will arrive between 11:30 noon and 12:00 noon on the last day of the retreat. Please make your flight and hotel reservations with adequate time to check in for your flight at least one hour before departure. Coordinate your arrival and departure info and shuttle service with the retreat manager.
Airport Hotels
If you are arriving early or staying over after the retreat, we suggest that guests select a hotel from the list below. They are near SFO, modestly priced, and offer courtesy airport shuttle service, wi-fi, and complementary breakfast. Cheaper rates may be available through Hotels.com. Kayak.com, and other Web based providers. These hotels are all located only a few miles from SFO in a commercial district with nearby restaurants. 

Millwood Inn & Suites
1375 El Camino Real, Millbrae, California 94030
Contact: 650-583-3935 
Email: info@millwoodinn.com
 
Days Inn San Francisco International Airport West
1550 El Camino Real, San Bruno, California 94066
Contact: 650-616-9600 
Email: info@daysinnsanbruno.com
 
La Quinta Inn & Suites, San Francisco Airport West
1390 El Camino Real
Millbrae, CA 94030
Phone: 1-650-952-3200
Detailed Information
What to Wear:
The weather in San Juan Bautista in April is typically dry and cool with sunny days and cold nights. The average daytime temperature is 68ºF (20ºC). Nighttime average low temperature is 42ºF (5ºC). Rain may be likely and heavy at times, so bring an umbrella or other rain gear.
 
Bring comfortable, loose-fitting clothes, such as sweat pants with elastic waistband. Be prepared with layers that can be added or removed. A warm jacket is needed for cold nights and evening walking meditation. Comfortable slip-on shoes are appropriate for walking around the compound. Headgear, such as a hat with a brim, and sunglasses are handy for sunny days. House-slippers and warm socks are appropriate in the meditation hall. Bring a shawl or small blanket for outdoor, seated meditations in the gardens and patio areas.  
 
What to Bring for Meditation:
Chairs for sitting will be provided in the meditation hall. You may bring your own special chair, if desired, along with meditation cushions or pillows. Please bring a few extra cushions for out-of-state guests who traveled by air and cannot carry these items with them.
 
Other Necessities to Bring:
Bed linens, blankets, and towels are provided by the center. You may want to bring a special personal pillow or blanket, if desired. Bring personal toiletries (toothpaste, bath soap, sunscreen, Kleenex, etc), flashlight or headlamp and extra batteries, an alarm clock or watch with an alarm, and a water bottle to be filled at the center with filtered water as needed. There will be wake up and notification bell to announce meals and group gatherings.
 
What to Leave at Home:
Do not bring valuables, nonprescription drugs or alcohol. Do not bring food, unless you have made prior arrangements with the retreat manager for accommodation of medically required special dietary needs.
 
Avoid using scented cosmetics or perfumes that may be allergenic to others. Reading and writing are discouraged during this training period, except during the optional evening gatherings. Candles, incense, and smoking are not allowed in any rooms. 
 
Clocks and Phones:
Please attend to personal matters before coming so a not to hamper progress in mediation. To support the practice of meditative silence, participants’ cell phones and tablets, and computers are not allowed and are required to be in the off position during the retreat.
 
Emergency Phone Numbers:
There is no public phone on the facility. If your family needs to reach you in an emergency, they may call these emergency contact numbers.
Retreat Manager, Scott Jordan:  415-250-5294
St. Francis Retreat business office:  831-623-4234
St. Francis Retreat emergency after hours:  831-207-7042
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Simplicity and Renunciation
Meditation retreats offer a sacred space that is protected and removed from the world. They allow participants a rare opportunity to look deeply inside, quiet the mind, and open the heart. Often the most beneficial and rewarding experiences of spiritual life happen at a meditation retreat. The quiet, sheltered setting supports participants in developing patience, steadfastness, loving-kindness, generosity, joy, and wisdom.
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These are the seeds that grow insight, compassion, and happiness. Participants are requested to let go of concerns for daily life and embrace an attitude of simplicity and renunciation by adopting a traditional spiritual practice that is called “taking what is offered.”

Taking What is Offered
  1. Taking Any Residence – whatever quarters are offered. We ask participants to happily accept the accommodation assigned and continue to practice in this spirit throughout the retreat.
  2. Taking Food that is Offered – Happily accepting food that is offered is part of the practice. The cook lovingly prepares tasty and nutritious meals. Gluten-free alternatives will be available for those with medically required dietary restrictions. Participants with other special dietary needs may arrange with the retreat manager to bring supplemental food items with them to the retreat. Food items are prohibited in rooms and the meditation hall. The kitchen is restricted to St. Francis staff.
  3. Silence – In fostering an atmosphere of contemplation and meditation, participants are expected to embrace the practice of silence during the retreat. Living in silence is the practice of observing within and not communicating with others. This includes reading or writing, using telephones, computer, email, or text messages. Talking is permitted during the optional evening meeting. Inquiries about the retreat may be directed to a retreat manager or in the case of an emergency.
  4. Serving the Community – Participants may wish to volunteer for community work as a daily period of meditation in action. This activity acquaints yogis with meditation practice in daily activities and helps the retreat function move smoothly. A sign-up sheet for yogi jobs will be available during registration.
 
The retreat is organized and managed by volunteers as a community service to those dedicated to a path of wisdom and compassion.
 
Download the Simplicity and Renunciation print version
simplicity_and_renunciation.pdf
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  • Calendar
  • Dhamma Sukha
  • Good Friends Retreat
  • Easter Retreat 2021
  • Easter Retreat 2022
  • June-July Retreat 2020
  • Dhamma Sukha, May-Oct
  • Retreat Leaders
    • Bhante Vimalaramsi
    • David Johnson
    • Doug Kraft
    • Mark Berger
    • Rachael O'Brien
    • Scott A. Jordan
    • Sister Khema
  • Pay Fees
  • TEST Page