Exploring Monastic Life Retreat.  In-person Attendance only.

Have you ever been drawn to living a simpler life? One where your spiritual nourishment and development are the priority of your time, resources, and direction? Monastic life is an opportunity to walk a path that is hidden in plain sight. An easily overlooked way of life that is not beholden to material wealth, social status, or even knowledge. It is a life of service, benefiting both ourselves and others. A profound way of life that nourishes the practitioner such that they may quickly realize their True Refuge.

The Exploring Monastic Life Retreat at Shasta Abbey is an opportunity for 12 people who are diligently searching within themselves for such a path to come and participate in monastic life alongside the monks. The 5 day retreat will allow participants to experience sleeping in our ceremony hall and meditating in the monk’s meditation hall on the gaitan, just as an aspiring monk at Shasta Abbey would do. There will also be working meditation, as well as Dharma talks and discussions on topics specifically related to monastic life.

Retreatants will be paired with a senior monk who will act as a mentor during the retreat. This offers an opportunity to work closely with the monks in exploring this vocation and discovering why monastic life is a life worth living.