RETREAT
For those who have been authorised by Lama Ole Nydahl, individual retreats are possible; and the so-called B-52 project will continue for year-round activity.
Mediation retreats
Buddhist meditation reveals the practitioner's own consciousness. It reduces the power/influence of habits and external expectations, as well as internalised, entrenched patterns. A retreat of a few days or a few weeks can greatly reinforce these results by creating greater distance from the everyday. Thanks to the Diamond Way Buddhist vision, shorter retreats and daily life can be blended perfectly. Diamond Way retreat centres allow modern people with families and careers to mix activity/activity and meditation.
Opened retreat
It is up to each practitioner to decide the duration of the retreat and how it will be done. For beginners, an open retreat may be advisable, with four sessions a day: one short session before breakfast, two longer ones before and after noon, and another shorter one in the evening (if possible with practitioners from the local centre). It is of course possible to reduce the number of sessions, but it is advisable to draw up a daily schedule and stick to it. The remaining time of the open retreat can be used to help out at the centre and to interact with the people who live there. This type of retreat can be done in any centre and is excellent for couples.
Closed retreat
In closed retreats, the practitioner does not talk to others, or talks only to certain counsellors selected before the retreat. The practitioner eats alone. This type of retreat is recommended for people who are used to meditation and who have some years of experience with Diamond Way meditations. Meditating alone, or perhaps with people who are close to us, creates space to remove disturbing impressions from the long-term memory of the mind. All impressions have the ability to arise naturally and evolve into wisdom. It is recommended that the goal of retreats be chosen modestly, as setting goals too high can spoil the enjoyment of the retreat.
Group retreat
Some centres also offer group retreats: some meditations are done together in a group, others alone. Many places offer question and answer sessions and/or evening teachings by local teachers - all of which are extremely useful. The group practice and the individual Buddhist insights that come out of the practice create strong bonds between practitioners, and the friendships that are formed as a result enable us to be of the best possible service to others.