How to Plan a Summer Meditation Retreat

Summer is the perfect opportunity for a solo meditation retreat. The weather is great, the days are long, and it’s easier than ever to get out of the city and find peace and quiet. This year, with coronavirus lockdowns in place all over the world, many of us are finding ourselves with more alone time, more flexible schedules, and more time to dive into our practice.

A summer meditation retreat doesn’t have to be expensive or exotic. Whether you have a week or a weekend, all you need is a quiet place. In fact, you can do it from the comfort of your own home with just a few preparations. Here’s advice from Lama Lena on conducting your own summer meditation retreat.

A step-by-step guide to planning a Summer Meditation Retreat:

1. Day 1: Begin the retreat after an early supper the day you arrive to your place of retreat
2. Preparation: Set up your altar before the sun goes down. Then, after the sun has set for the evening, bring an offering outside for the land spirits (a little bit of good quality food and beverage)
3. 1st Session: Make your first sitting session in summer’s long twilight hours and into full dark
   
   
4. Morning Session #1: wake early and do your first morning session in the quiet time before dawn .You’ll find these hours have a psychic peace and tranquility that helps your practice.
5. Breakfast: Take a break for breakfast as the sun comes up. Give another offering of food to the land spirits. Early light is an active time, so take a short walk into nature to do this
6. Morning Session #2: After dawn, make another session of meditation
7. Break: After your session, take a break for coffee or tea
8. Morning Session #3: Have your last morning session before noon.
   
   
9. Around 11:00 am: Now it’s time to prepare and eat lunch. This will be your main meal for the day, so make it a good one. Make enough that you will have leftovers for later.
10. Rest Time: While you’re digesting, it’s a perfect time for a nap, reading, or washing up. Wrap up this period of rest by having another beverage and perhaps a light snack if you’re hungry.
    
    
11. Afternoon Session: After resting, have your first afternoon session
12. Break: Have a drink or light snack if you’re hungry
13. Dinner: As the sun begins to set, prepare a light supper of soup made from lunch’s leftovers.
14. Evening Session: Have your last session of meditation for the day
15. Sleep! 
    
    
16. Repeat for each day of your retreat.
17. Last Full Day of Retreat: The retreat ends with a short tsok after sunset on the last day. Make sure to feed and thank the land spirits again for their assistance. Pack up and return home the next morning.