Study Theme:

A presentation of the Three Treasures was one of the Buddha’s first and most basic teachings.  As such, “taking refuge” in the Three Treasures of Buddhism – Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha - is the core practice of almost every school of Buddhism.  It is a multifaceted and deep teaching which can provide a framework for simply understanding our lives a bit better, but can also easily span a lifetime of religious consideration, touching on a full range of associations and insights, from the spiritual to the scientific to the psychological.  At heart, the practice of taking refuge is ultimately unexplainable and becomes synonymous with being present and fully engaged with one’s life and the life of this world.  In most formal contexts taking refuge is the necessary precursor to the acceptance and practice of Buddhist precepts and forms the core of ordination ceremonies.

As we journey we will be considering the Three Treasures through the lenses of our own lives and wildness itself.  As such we will take a broad, accepting, approach which weaves in what each of us brings to the group.  The Buddha as a person can be considered as also pure unexplainable essence.  The Dharma as formal Buddhist teachings can be considered also as the laws of nature and karma that shape this world.  And the Sangha as a religious community can be considered also as the community and relationship of all beings and things.  The Three Treasures are the foundation of Buddhist ethics, which the Buddha considered as the root of religious practice, and for us they can serve to help define the boundaries of a renewed set of ethics for our relationship to the natural world.

Through literally supporting each other’s journey along the way, mile by mile along the trail, through deep mindfulness in nature, and through our close communion with three great mountains, we will hope to open ourselves to the spirit of the Three Treasures and gain a feeling and insight for what this teaching may mean in our own lives and in nature.

Requirements:

This retreat involves extended silent backpacking through high mountain terrain, close cooperation as an expedition community, and a daily schedule of meditation and practices.  The route is mostly moderate and at times somewhat moderately difficult, but not nearly as difficult as last year’s 100 mile Mt. Rainier Wonderland Trail route.  Maximum daily ascents and descents are generally within the scope of 1000’, and often much less, as contrasted with the Wonderland Trail’s constant daily scope of about 2000’ or more.  The hiking days will vary from 5 to 10 miles.  To reduce our overall load there will be one food cache at about the halfway point.

The retreat is most suited to those who have at least moderate experience in both backpacking and meditation retreats.  Because of the special requirements of this sort of retreat each participant will be required to fill out a complete application questionnaire and have a telephone interview with the teacher prior to acceptance for the trip.

Wilderness Retreat Practice:

The feel and process of a wilderness retreat is different than other meditation retreats you may have attended.  In addition, this particular retreat will have at times a “study retreat” flavor centered on our Three Treasures theme.

The form of a wilderness retreat finds its inspiration in the long standing pilgrimage and hermit traditions of Asia.  Walking through mountains was a basic and timeless practice, the way in which the teachings traveled and took root throughout the world.  Mountains were revered and honored by pilgrims who traveled huge distances, sometimes once in a lifetime, to circumambulate peaks or pray to resident deities embodied within sacred landscapes.  Walking was the practice that showed that the teachings were alive and ever-present right here, within the world of nature.

Our time in the wilderness will primarily be conducted within a structured schedule reminiscent of typical residential Zen retreats.  However, there will be much less sitting meditation, and far more walking (hiking) meditation involved than in a usual meditation retreat.  At all times however our primary emphasis will be to adapt ourselves to the needs of the moment, the vagaries of the weather, and the wonders of the wilderness.

Throughout the retreat each person will perform a job to help the whole group along the way.  These roles will be modeled in part after traditional Zen monastic assignments such as the Tenkin (time keeper) and the Tenzo (head cook).  Every few days we will rotate jobs so that everyone has a turn with each responsibility.

We will have our wake up time at 5:30 AM each day, followed by two 30 minute periods of meditation, a formal chanting and bowing service, and then a silent breakfast with meal chants.  We will break silence for camp pack-up and be ready for the trail typically by about 9:30.  Our hiking will be in silence, most generally in a group “one-body” form where we stay in fairly close proximity to each other, led by the Tenkin who will help us keep a comfortable and unhurried pace.  Occasionally, though, we will hike in a much more spread out “solo” form. Lunches will be as a group, in silence with a formal meal chant.  Although the mileage each day will vary we will generally hope to arrive at camp and break silence with enough time to unwind a bit, get camp set up comfortably in daylight, and maybe do some nearby exploring.  After an informal dinner and camp cleanup we will resume silence for the evening schedule of meditation and closing chants.

Depending on the particular day there will be time given along the trail or in camp for a series of dharma talks by the teacher, occasional group study discussions, opportunities for small group experiential or writing exercises, or private practice-discussion meetings with the teacher.  The journey will have three layover days, giving a chance for more concentrated consideration of each of the Three Treasures.  The first of these layover days will be an opportunity for a 24 hour personal solo retreat – a “Buddha Day”.

The entire retreat will be conducted within the general container of noble silence, with conversations practiced consciously and with respect for each other’s practice.  At times though the basic necessities of camp life and the depth of the group wilderness expedition experience makes a good conversation just the thing that is needed.  Occasionally we may do some guided journaling exercises, so having some writing equipment along will be necessary.  Cameras and journals can be used judiciously within this retreat format to some advantage in the practice of mindfulness.  But these tools can also be a distraction, so care needs to be used with them.  If the use of these things helps one see and feel a place with more present mindfulness then they can be helpful.  For this same reason reading, in general, will be discouraged – although, in contrast, a small field guide to some aspect of the local terrain, flora, or fauna may be one of the most pertinent extra things a person might bring along.

Food:

All food at the initial campground base camp and in the backcountry will be provided.  This will include oatmeal breakfasts, a variety arrangement of lunch fair, freeze-dried dinners, and an assortment of energy bars and trail mix for snacks.  Half of our supplies will be dropped in a food cache at about the half-way point prior to the trip.  Once back at Elk Lake Lodge for the final night of the trip dinner that night and breakfast the next morning will be at the lodge dining hall and must be purchased separately.  We can accommodate some variety of diet and preferences, but flexibility is requested.  Food allergies should be noted on the registration form. 

The Teacher:

The retreat will be led by Bob Penny, MS in Environmental Education and a teacher for the Red Cedar Zen Community.  Bob has been involved with Buddhism since 1979 and has over a dozen years of experience leading backcountry wilderness meditation retreats.  He is currently working towards the title of Lay Entrusted Teacher with his teacher of 20 years Zoketsu Norman Fischer, head of the Everyday Zen Foundation and the former abbot of the San Francisco Zen Center.  Bob acted as Shuso, head student, for Red Cedar Zen Community’s 2010 winter practice period.

If the eventual group size warrants it there will also be an additional designated assistant group leader, who is an experienced past participant of numerous Red Cedar Zen wilderness retreats, to help with logistics and backcountry leadership.

Base Fee, Scholarships, and Dana:

Red Cedar Zen Wilderness Retreats are designed to be affordable and accessible to the widest range of people possible.  The Base Fee for these retreats are structured very much on a break-even basis and cover only the hard costs of running the retreat, providing nothing to the teacher.  All compensation to the teacher is through donation – the Buddhist practice of Dana Paramita.

The Base Fee is structured on a sliding scale, with the bottom end just marginally covering costs and the upper end giving an operating budget cushion and the ability for us to offer some scholarships.  Any funds received in Base Fee’s beyond costs will be retained by Red Cedar Zen Community to help support our ongoing organizational costs and expansion of wilderness dharma work.

In an effort to make this experience accessible to a wide range of people we offer a limited amount of partial scholarships to those in need.  To apply please fill out the scholarship request form and submit it along with your registration form and deposit.

The Base Fee sliding scale for this retreat is $500-$650. The fee includes all camping food, campground and permit fees, any shuttle fees or transportation costs after we have reached our start point, log chalet rental for the final night at Elk Lake Lodge, and overhead costs such as group gear purchases and gas for the teacher.   It does not cover the cost of getting to the start point or from Elk Lake Lodge at the end, although a ride may be available from someone going your way.  A shuttle is available from the lodge back to the airport.

Red Cedar Zen Community encourages the practice of Dana Paramita (perfection of generosity) when offering the dharma.  This practice honors each of our differing abilities in giving, and offers appreciation that what is given is in the spirit of generosity.  As our meal chant says – “To see the emptiness of the three wheels – giver, receiver, and gift”.  At the end of the trip there will be a time provided to give a gift to the teacher in respect of the teachings and experience received, especially in the spirit of helping to continue to provide the opportunity for others to also receive the benefit of this kind of experience.  The creation of this scale of trip requires many days and weeks of preparation as well as the time offered in the backcountry.  A guided commercial venture would cost a participant far more than our Base Fee, perhaps more than double, for a similar experience. Please consider the significant effort involved and give generously within your ability.  Your gift is received with gratitude.

Deadlines, Deposits, Cancellations, and Refunds:

The group limit for this trip is twelve people, so early registration is encouraged.  Participating in an expedition of this scope is a big commitment for you and for those helping make preparations.  Often difficulties come up in making the time and space available in one’s life to do such a retreat.  We understand this and will try to work with you if problems arise.  But there is a timeline involved and preparations have to be made. Please try to make a clear commitment, or cancellation, at the earliest possible date.  We will always try to be fair and we hope that our policies are crafted to that end.

Registering for the trip is not the same as being accepted.  Acceptance requires a review of the application and a telephone interview with the teacher.

A deposit of $100 is due to secure your registration, along with a declaration of the amount of sliding scale Base Fee that has been chosen.  Once you are accepted and the deposit is received it is non-refundable.  If for some reason when your registration is reviewed you decide the trip is not for you, or you are not accepted, then your deposit will be returned.

After the trip fills further registration applications will be put on a waiting list in case of cancellations.  Waiting list applications, to be in effect, also require a $100 deposit.  This deposit for a waiting list spot will be returned if a space does not become available.  If at some point your registration has been reviewed and you have been moved from the waiting list and have been accepted to the trip roster then your deposit will at that time will be cashed and become non-refundable.

The registration deadline for this trip is August 9th, which is the deadline for final commitment and payment of the remainder of the selected sliding scale Base Fee.  If for some reason you are accepted for the trip after August 9th then the entire selected sliding scale Base Fee will be due immediately.  If you have been accepted but have not made payment of the remainder of your Base Fee by August 9th then your participation may be canceled and your spot may be given to someone else.

If you pay your full Base Fee early and then cancel before August 9th then you will receive a refund of your fee, minus the non-refundable deposit.  If you are accepted and have paid your Base Fee and you cancel after August 9th it can only be refunded, minus the non-refundable deposit, if a replacement is found to take your place.  This is because after August 9th the funds are processed and spent as preparations are made for your participation in the trip.