You are warmly invited to visit Magnolia Grove to practice with the community for a Day of Mindfulness or a retreat almost any week of the year. You don’t need to have any meditation experience to visit us. Please see our Calendar of Events before you come to find the most accurate listing of when we are open for guests. Please plan for arrival on a Friday.
Overnight Retreats
We offer a number of personal and special retreats throughout the year. Please visit our Register for a Retreat page for information on current overnight retreat opportunities, including retreat descriptions, available arrival dates, and pricing information. You can apply to register for an available retreat by completing an online registration form. We receive overnight guests only on the listed personal and special retreat arrival days.
While You Are Here
During your time here, you are invited to practice sitting and walking meditation, to enjoy mindful eating with the community, to listen to Dharma talks (teachings) by our teachers, to visit our gardens, and to walk on the monastery’s grounds with your peaceful steps.
Day of Mindfulness sample schedule:
8:30 AM – Walking meditation
9:45 AM – Dharma talk
11:30 AM – Recitation ceremony or circle sharing
12:45 PM – Lunch with Five Contemplations
1:30 PM – Bookshop opens
3:00 PM – Day of Mindfulness concludes
Personal retreat sample schedule:
5:00 AM – Wake up bell
5:30 AM – Sitting meditation
6:45 AM – Exercise time / Walking meditation
7:30 AM – Breakfast
9:00 AM – Working meditation / Dharma talk
11:00 AM – Walking meditation / Personal Practice Time
12:00 PM – Lunch with Five Contemplations
1:30 PM – Mindful rest period
3:00 PM – Working meditation / Dharma talk
5:00 PM – Sitting and chanting meditation
6:00 PM – Dinner
7:30 PM – Circle sharing or Personal study time
9:30 PM – Noble silence
10:30 PM – Lights out and bedtime
Pets
Because of our communal practice, guests cannot bring pets to our practice center.
What to Bring – Overnight Guests
If you are planning to stay overnight, you are encouraged to bring items necessary for your comfort such as the following:
- N95 / KN95 masks
- At home Covid test
- Water bottle
- Flashlight
- Alarm clock
- Towel
- Insect repellents
- Bedding and/or sleeping bag
- Personal items
- Shampoo & conditioner
- Hand sanitizer
- Umbrella
- Good walking or hiking shoes
- Warm clothing and footwear, particularly in winter months
- Sun hat in summer and warm hat in winter
- Cloth napkin for meals
“The foundation of a good community is a daily life that is joyful and happy.”
– Thich Nhat Hanh
