Questions & Answers

The Blue Mountain Center of Meditation has been offering programs based on Easwaran’s passage meditation to a worldwide audience for nearly 40 years.

Passage meditation fits within any religious or nonreligious philosophy and within any lifestyle – our meditators include busy parents, professionals, students, and retired people. We currently offer retreats throughout the US and in Europe.

If you would like to learn more about passage meditation or deepen your practice, our retreats will give you guidance, support, inspiration, and fellowship tailored to your needs.

We hope you’ll find the following questions and answers helpful.

What is a typical day at a retreat like?

Each type of retreat includes morning workshops for reading, reflection, and discussion; question & answer sessions; direct inspiration from Eknath Easwaran through videotaped talks and readings; meditation periods; a mantram walk; breaks for personal study, exercise, or rest; and vegetarian meals.

One-day retreats start at 9:30 a.m. and end at 5:30 p.m. Weekend retreats start on Friday at 4:00 p.m. and end on Sunday at 2:00 p.m. Weeklong retreats start on Saturday at 4:00 p.m. and end on Friday at 2:00 p.m. Senior half-week retreats start on Friday at 4:00 p.m. and end on Tuesday at 9:30 a.m.

Who attends a retreat?

Retreats on Easwaran’s method of passage meditation appeal to, and benefit, people from all walks of life. People of a variety of ages, backgrounds, and nationalities participate, and this diversity adds a great richness.

Most people come by themselves to our retreats, and we provide a comfortable and secure setting for everyone to feel at home. People quickly make friends, but there is never any pressure to share or talk more than you feel comfortable with.

If you are coming with a friend or partner to a retreat in Tomales, California, let us know when you register and we will give you a shared, private room together. If you are coming with a friend or partner to a retreat in another location, call us to find out about the availability of double rooms.

How many people attend?

Retreats in Tomales are kept to a small, congenial group of about 20 people. Retreats in other locations typically have 40–80 participants. In these larger retreats, we have small breakout groups.

We tailor retreats to meet the needs of each participant, level, and group.

What type of retreat should I attend – a one-day, weekend, or weeklong?

If this is your first retreat or you want to re-establish your practice, look for an “introductory and refresher” one-day or weekend retreat in Tomales, California, or any of our retreats outside Tomales.

If you are practicing passage meditation daily and have attended a BMCM retreat before or participated in a BMCM fellowship group for at least six months, look for a weeklong or in-depth weekend retreat in Tomales, California, or any of our retreats outside Tomales.

This is my first retreat. What will the content of the program be?

If you’re new to passage meditation, a day or weekend in the peaceful setting of one of our retreats is an ideal way to get off to a good start. If you’ve been exploring meditation on your own, you’ll find inspiration, encouragement, and new horizons opening. Either way, you’ll go home refreshed and renewed.

Our introductory retreat will help you:

• Work within your own schedule to establish a reliable meditation practice.
• Choose and start using a mantram (also called a holy name or prayer word) to find calm and meaning in the challenges of work, family, and society.
• Slow down and experience a deeper sense of inner peace.
• You will receive instruction from Blue Mountain Center presenters with years of experience.
• Introductory Retreat theme: “Finding Strength in the Stormy Seas of Life”

“Great emergencies and crises show us how much greater our vital resources are than we had supposed” – William James

Read an excerpt from one of Eknath Easwaran’s articles, which captures the promise of the retreat: “Clarity, Confidence, and Grace”

“Few human beings are born with the ability to weather storm and stress with grace. But everyone can learn.” (Read more)

Click here to watch a video of Easwaran speaking on:

• the inner peace that gradually comes through passage meditation
• using the mantram to deal with anxiety.

 

I’ve attended a retreat before. Will I learn anything by coming again?

The themes for this year’s retreats grew directly out of letters and questions we have received from experienced meditators:

“What can I do when my enthusiasm for meditation runs low?”

“I’m in the doldrums – I’ve missed meditation several times this month and just can’t get myself back on the cushion.”

“Help! I’ve lost the spark. What can I do?”

It’s very natural to run into dry spells in meditation. In fact, it’s often a sign of progress. Once you’ve conquered a few challenges that used to seem impossible – whether it’s getting used to sitting still or finding time for an evening meditation – you’re ready for exploring new challenges, and a dry spell can be the first sign that you’re ready to go deeper by renewing your practice.

So this year in our in-depth retreats – for anyone who’s been to a BMCM retreat before – we’ll be exploring the “art of renewal.” The day or weekend itself will certainly be inspiring and restorative, but more than that, we’ll be sharing with you a method we’ve developed for renewing enthusiasm through personal “mini-retreats” that you can schedule for yourself. By the end of the retreat, you will have a complete plan for periodically rejuvenating your practice and maintaining a steady flow of calm, meaning, and concentration in your life.

“A retreat never fails to deepen my practice and leave me feeling refreshed and reconnected. But best of all, sad as I always am to leave, I can’t wait to bring the retreat back home and put all I have learned to use. The benefits of a retreat extend well beyond my experience of it.” (Sally T.)

2008 Weekend Retreat theme: “Making a Difference”

Click here to find out more and see an excerpt from one of the videotaped talks we will watch.

2008 Weeklong Retreat theme: “Deepening Meditation”

Click here to find out more and see an excerpt from one of the videotaped talks we will watch.

When is the next retreat in my area?

To find the next retreat in your area, look at our regional retreat calendar at the top the right column of this page.

There is no retreat in my area listed. How can I request one?

If you would like a retreat in your area, please let us know. We might not be able to provide one in the near future, but we always welcome requests and can offer other resources which might be helpful.

Who leads the retreats?

Our retreat presenters are dedicated, experienced meditators with extensive training in giving clear and practical instruction. All retreats are built on Eknath Easwaran’s talks and writings, showing how we can bring the ancient art of meditation into our busy, modern life. Our aim is for you to leave the retreat with a practical, individually tailored program for developing your life to its fullest potential.

How much meditation do we do at a retreat?

Depending on the type of retreat, there are two or three group passage meditation sessions of 30 minutes. The third meditation period is optional. All meditation periods are silent.

Are there prerequisites for attending a retreat?

There are no prerequisites for retreats outside Tomales, or for one-day or weekend “introductory and refresher” Tomales retreats.

In-depth weekend and weeklong retreats are for those who have been meditating half an hour daily using Eknath Easwaran’s method of passage meditation for at least six months and have attended a previous BMCM retreat or participated in a BMCM fellowship group for six months.

We recommend a “young adult” retreat if you are between 18 and 35 years old and want to meet like-minded people of a similar age.

We recommend a “senior” retreat if you are over 65 years old or are facing a life-threatening illness.

What is an “introductory and refresher” retreat?

“Introductory and refresher” one-day and weekend retreats give basic instructions in Easwaran’s method of passage meditation. There are no prerequisites.

Our goal is to give you everything you need to establish a daily practice of passage meditation. Most people who attend have not been to a BMCM retreat before, but they may have read a book by Easwaran, seen one of his talks, or visited this Web site and now want to find out more and have their questions answered. Some people have already attended a BMCM retreat but would like to return for a refresher or to re-establish a daily practice.

These retreats fill up quickly, so do please register as early as possible.

What is an “in-depth” retreat?

In-depth retreats are the best way for regular practitioners of passage meditation to renew their enthusiasm and deepen their practice.

For information on the content and themes of our 2008 in-depth retreats, see the question above: “I’ve already attended a retreat . . .”

In-depth weekend and weeklong retreats are for those who have been meditating half an hour daily using Easwaran’s passage meditation for at least six months and have attended a previous BMCM retreat or participated in a BMCM fellowship group for six months.

What is a “young adult” retreat?

Young adult retreats in Tomales are tailored to the needs of those between 18 and 35 years old. There are workshops both for people who are new to passage meditation and for those who are experienced. You will have the opportunity to to take a fresh look at how you want to shape your daily life and your future and learn how passage meditation can support your highest ideals.

Passage meditation is especially effective in helping to overcome stress, build loving relationships, give meaning and purpose to everyday life, and draw out the power each of us has to quietly change the world.

These are some of our most popular and lively retreats. They include meaningful discussions, workshops, half-hour periods of meditation, walks on the beach, volleyball games, delicious home-cooked vegetarian meals, and quiet time for breaks, rest, or exercise.

What is a retreat for seniors or those facing life-threatening illnesses like?

Eknath Easwaran developed our program for seniors. He taught that the later years of life can be the richest, in terms of the benefit we can bring to others and the sense of deep fulfillment that we can develop. He showed how the physical limitations imposed on the body by age can be overcome through spiritual disciplines anyone can do. Once we become established in the changeless, aging cannot diminish our security or lessen our ability to contribute richly to life.

We have been giving retreats for seniors along these lines for almost 15 years. Everyone is welcome to attend who is over 65 or facing a life-threatening illness. There are no other prerequisites.

You will experience four days of living a spiritual schedule based on quiet study, reading and reflection, practical discussions about facing age-related changes, inspiring videotaped talks by Eknath Easwaran, meditation, exercise, breaks, and delicious home-cooked vegetarian meals.

The schedule includes many optional activities, so that you can find the right balance for yourself. We do our best to accommodate any special needs.

Do both men and women attend the retreats?

Yes, all our retreats are attended by both men and women.

I’m coming by myself to a retreat; will I feel comfortable?

The majority of people attending our retreats come by themselves. It doesn’t take long to make friends, settle down, and feel at home. We do everything possible to make the retreat environment relaxed and comfortable.

If you are looking for time to be quiet and private, rest assured that there is never any pressure to share or talk more than you feel comfortable with.

If you want a single room, please call us to find out about the availability in that retreat location.

How do I register for a retreat?

Online: Go to this page, select your retreat type and complete the checkout. Enrollment requires full payment with a credit or debit card. We accept Visa, American Express, and MasterCard. We do not accept Discover cards.

By phone: Call us between Monday and Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Pacific Time at 800.475.2369 (or +1 707.878.2369 for international calls).

By mail:

• Review the prerequisites of the retreat.
• Make a check payable to “BMCM” for the retreat fee.
• Include a note specifying the date and location of retreat, any dietary restrictions or special needs you may have, and the name and phone number of someone we can call in case of an emergency.
• Send your note and check to: BMCM, PO Box 256, Tomales, CA 94971.

Important! Please do not make travel arrangements until you have received a confirmation packet.

When will I receive a confirmation of my retreat registration?

If you provided an email address, we will send you a retreat confirmation packet by email within 48 hours of receipt of your registration payment. If you do not receive a reply within 48 hours, please call us at 800.475.2369. If you did not provide an email address, we will send you confirmation by mail, and you should allow 10 days for this to arrive.

Note: If you register online, you will receive an immediate confirmation of the transaction. But this is not a retreat confirmation packet. Please wait to receive an email message from us confirming your registration before you make travel arrangements.

When should I reserve travel arrangements?

Please wait until you have received a retreat confirmation packet from us. This packet will include travel information, directions, a schedule, and a list of what you need to bring. We are always glad to answer any questions you have before or after you receive this.

May I reserve a space in the retreat without paying the full fee?

No, only full payment guarantees your space. Please contact us if you have any questions about this.

The retreat I want to attend is listed as full. Is there any chance I can attend?

Yes, there is a chance that a space may become available. Call us to be put on the waiting list, free of charge, and we will call you if a space becomes available. Alternatively, consider attending as a commuter.

What is a “commuter?”

All retreats with an overnight stay have a limited number of commuter places available.

As a commuter, you attend the full program including all meals, but you need to arrange your own accommodations. There is a reduced fee for commuters: $250 for weekends; $600 for weeklong retreats; and $350 for senior half-week retreats. We can provide you with a list of local accommodations for all our retreats.

The commuter option is ideal for those who would like to attend a retreat when the retreat house is full (it will be labeled “full” on the shopping cart list) or who live locally and prefer to go home in the evening. You may have your morning meditation and breakfast with the retreat group or separately. Our weekend and weeklong retreats have a short evening program after dinner and generally finish at 8:30 p.m.

May I stay at the retreat house when there is not a scheduled retreat, or before or after a retreat?

Our retreat house in Tomales, California, is only available for scheduled retreats. However, if you are attending a one-day, weekend, half-week, or weeklong retreat, you are very welcome to stay up to three nights before and/or after the retreat to prepare for, or extend, your scheduled retreat. The fee for an extra stay is $60 per person per night, which does not include food.

Retreats in other locations are held in private retreat centers, which are available only during the course of the scheduled BMCM retreat. Please call us if you would like a list of local accommodations near our regional retreats.

What are the accommodations and facilities like at a retreat?

All accommodations in Tomales, California, are held in a beautiful retreat house on the Northern California coast, in a small town about 1.5 hours north of San Francisco. The workshops, accommodations, meditation room, and dining room are all conveniently situated in the same house. Most rooms are shared with one other person; limited private rooms are available too. Linens and towels are provided.

Please call us to find out about retreat accommodation in retreats elsewhere.

Do we meditate on a chair or on the floor?

Meditation is done either on a chair or on the floor, depending on what is most comfortable for you. At our retreats in Tomales, California, we provide blankets, cushions, and pillows. If you are attending a retreat outside of Tomales, you might want to bring a cushion for your comfort.

Where can I find directions to the retreat house?

For retreats in Tomales:

Go to here.
Note that the retreat house is only open during a retreat, and you must register in advance to attend. If you would like information about our facility, please call the BMCM office at 707.878.2369.

For retreats in other locations, you’ll find directions to each retreat on this page.

How can I carpool or share a ride with others?

If you would like to share transportation with others who are coming to the retreat, you may use the forum section of our Web site. There you can post your travel plans and see the travel plans of others coming to the retreat so that you can arrange for ride sharing.

Go to: www.easwaran.org/rideshare

• Click on the Register link at the top of the page.
• On the next screen, click on the I Agree link at the bottom of the page.
• This brings up the Registration Information page. Fill in the first five lines – you may leave the profile information and preferences on the rest of the screen set to the defaults.
• Scroll to the bottom of the page and press Submit.
• A screen will announce that you will receive a confirmation by email.
• Once that confirmation arrives, click on the link to activate your account.
• You will be taken to the Forum. Use the Log In link at the top of the screen to log in using your username and password.
• Click on Retreat Travel and Ride-Sharing Information
• Click on the date of your retreat and then Post Reply to post your ride needs or to offer a ride if you are driving.

What phone number can I give to friends and family in case of an emergency?

For retreats in Tomales:

In an emergency, friends and family may call you at the retreat house at 707.878.2359.

If it is not an emergency, please ask friends and family to call the BMCM office at 707.878.2369 and we will pass messages on to you. This will help preserve the retreat house atmosphere. The BMCM office is open Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Pacific Time. Messages are checked once a day during the weekend too.

For retreats in other locations:

Go to www.easwaran.org/travel and click on Travel Instructions in the right column under the date of your retreat to find a document listing the address and phone number of each retreat house.

What do I need to bring?

Bring appropriate warm and cool clothing, depending on the location of the retreat and time of year, including something comfortable for meditation, slippers or indoor shoes, and walking shoes.

If you are attending a retreat in Tomales, California, bear in mind that the weather on the coast is changeable, so bring at least one warm sweater and jacket.

Also bring a book bag with a notebook, pens, and a copy of God Makes the Rivers to Flow if you have one. All reading and study materials are provided at the retreat.

Cell phone service is not available in Tomales. There is a telephone in the retreat house for local and calling card calls. You can purchase calling cards at the retreat house for $10 or $20, but you may also want to bring your own if you have one.

If you are staying overnight, bring a bathrobe, toiletries, and an alarm clock. Hairdryers and irons are not provided. Laundry facilities are generally not available. Linens and towels are provided.

At retreats in Tomales, most rooms are shared with one other person. Call us to find out about accommodation at other retreat locations.

How should I prepare for the retreat?

When you register, you will receive a retreat confirmation packet with details of how you can prepare.

If this is your first retreat, we ask that you read or re-read the book Passage Meditation (formerly called Meditation) by Eknath Easwaran and memorize one of the meditation passages in that book. The main chapters in the book and many passages are also available without charge on this site.

Then give your best to your practice of the eight-point program during the days or weeks leading up to the retreat. If your meditation practice has been irregular, try to make it regular. See if you can begin to meditate every day.

Do you have work/study programs?

Sorry, we do not offer any volunteer work/study programs.

May I bring my own food if I am staying before and/or after a retreat?

For retreats in Tomales, California, you may certainly bring your own vegetarian food and use the kitchen facilities at the retreat house. Please do not bring any nonvegetarian food or alcohol.

I have dietary restrictions. May I bring my own food?

Yes, for retreats in Tomales, California, you may bring your own vegetarian food to the retreat. Write your name clearly on the packaging of the food items, and talk to our retreat house staff to find the best storage place.

We provide special meals for people with dietary restrictions. Please tell us your requirements when you register.

For retreats in other locations, we can usually provide refrigeration and microwave facilities. All retreat meals are served buffet style.

What is the cancellation policy?

All canceled enrollments incur a $25 charge. Enrollments canceled within 8 days of the retreat receive a 50% refund only.

How can I get further information?

Call us at 800.475.2369 (use +1 707.878.2369 for international calls) or write to us at info@easwaran.org or BMCM, PO Box 256, Tomales, CA 94971.