Retreats

Day-long Meditation Retreat

When:  Saturday, April 26, 2025

Time:  11 am - 4:45 pm

Where:  National Avenue Christian Church
1515 S National Ave, Springfield, MO 65804
We will utilize both the Parlor, where ODC normally meets, and the Gallery. 

Registration:  Required in advance.  Register here.

Cost:  We joyfully offer this retreat at no cost. Donations are graciously accepted and appreciated.

Schedule: 

• 9:00 AM - 10:30 AM: Standard ODC weekly sit and dharma talk in Parlor. You are encouraged to attend this as well, but it's not required. 

• 10:30 AM - 10:55 AM:  Arrival window.  Set up your seat, place lunch in the kitchen, and get settled.  Please be on time.

• 11:00 AM: Go over the day and the guidelines. Chant. Begin silence. 

• 11:15 AM - 12:55 PM: Two 40 minute sitting sessions with 20 minute breaks/walks between sessions.  

• 12:55 PM - 1:30 PM:  Lunch break. 

• 1:30 PM - 4:10 PM:  Three 40 minute sitting sessions with 20 minute breaks/walks between sessions.  Sit/walk/lie down outside or inside. Take breaks as needed. 

• 4:10 PM - 4:45 PM:  We'll close, then gather in small groups and share about our experience.  

This is a silent structured meditation retreat. It's an opportunity to set aside our everyday distractions, settle into a retreat container, and explore our meditation practice at a deeper level. It can be a growing experience for your practice or a tune-up for "retreat-heads".  

This is often people's first experience of a day-long silent retreat. While we honor our practice and each other by taking it seriously, this will be a gentle and friendly introduction to retreat. We welcome newcomers and will go over the guidelines so you know how the day will flow.  

Participants should have some experience with meditation and may practice however they wish within the day's schedule. There will be no practice instruction offered. Please see this section of our website to learn to meditate. 

The retreat is suitable for all levels of practitioners of Buddhism or any spiritual tradition, including secular and non-Buddhist. 

We will chant in Pali at the start of the retreat--paying homage to the Buddha, taking the refuges and the precepts. Participating in this is not required. 

If you would like, there will be an altar where you can place a small personal item to dedicate your merit, pay homage to the Buddha or simply to represent yourself for the day. You may take your altar items back at the end if you wish.

We recommend bringing your personal meditation setup to maximize your comfort for the day. We also provide cushions, mats, chairs, and blankets to use. 

Depending on attendance, we will sit in the Parlor and use the Gallery for walking, eating, and taking breaks. The church grounds and the neighboring Water Wise Garden will be available for walking and outdoor sits. We also hope to utilize NACC's labyrinth in the Gallery for the day.

Bring a sack lunch and a water bottle. Some people may choose to fast for the day. There is a refrigerator, but no microwave. Coffee and hot water for tea will be available. Feel free to bring something to share if you want. 

Email questions to hello@ozarksdharma.org

We look forward to a day of retreat with you!

Participants had this to say about previous ODC retreats: 

Register Here