Most of our daylong events, especially those referred to as “retreats”, include periods of meditation. In the interest of providing a harmonious and rewarding opportunity to practice, we ask all participants to join us in creating a supportive sacred space by observing the following guidelines:
Arrival
• All events start on time: please arrive 15 minutes beforehand.
• Please remove your shoes and place them in allocated areas.
• Latecomers should either wait outside or sit in the back of the room until there is a
break in the dharma talk or meditation period.
Keeping Noble Silence
• Keeping noble silence throughout the day will deepen your retreat experience.
• Please be mindful that any small noise is amplified in a silent room.
• Please turn off cell phones, beepers and other electronic devices before the retreat begins.
Creating Sacred Space
• Please wear modest, appropriate clothing with an emphasis on comfort.
• Please remove your shoes and place them in the allocated areas.
• Except for the lunch period, please refrain from reading, eating, lying down or stretching.
• Make sure that the area you’ve been sitting in, and any cushions you’ve used, are clean
before you depart.
• Out of respect for people with environmental illnesses, we request that
everyone at NYI please not wear strong fragrances or strongly scented
products when attending events at NYI. We greatly appreciate your efforts
to make NYI accessible to those with MCS (Multiple Chemical Sensitivities).
Sitting Meditation and Dharma Talks
• Please make every effort to enter and leave meditation areas only at designated times.
• Please sit in an attentive posture during meditation and Dharma talks.
Walking Meditation
• Please be mindful of others when practicing walking meditation.
• Choose a walking path that does not cross paths of other meditators.
• If you wish to practice yoga, please do so only if there is space and time allotted.
(Ask the Retreat Manager)
