A meditation retreat with DaRa Williams
Holy Wisdom Monastery, Middleton, WI
July 21–23, 2023
Please note: This retreat is being offered IN PERSON only.
Madison Vipassana is excited to welcome DaRa Williams back to Wisconsin to lead an in-person retreat at Holy Wisdom Monastery July 21–23, 2023. The retreat will be primarily nonresidential, with a residential option for a limited number of practitioners. Holy Wisdom offers a beautiful and peaceful setting for this wonderful practice opportunity.
RETREAT DESCRIPTION
The retreat will be suitable for both beginning and experienced meditators. Sitting meditation periods will alternate with periods of walking meditation throughout each day. We will observe noble silence except during instructions, question-and-answer sessions, small-group meetings with the teacher, and Dhamma talks.
To get a sense of DaRa’s teaching, sample any of her almost 100 talks on Dharma Seed.
COVID PRECAUTIONS
We will be adhering to the following COVID precautions:
We expect masks to be optional. If circumstances change, we will notify all registered retreatants.
Hand sanitizer will be located in heavy traffic areas, and hand sanitizing will be required before meals.
Retreatants will be required to agree to a waiver of liability as part of registration.
To protect the community's health, retreatants will be asked to take a COVID test at home the morning the retreat opens (July 21). If the result is positive or you feel unwell, we ask that you remain home and notify the registrar at registrar.madvip@gmail.com.
COST
Registration fees are on a sliding-scale basis. The sliding scale goes from 50% to 150% of actual costs, and within this range, you’re invited to offer the amount that best suits your circumstances. Please pay at the highest level of the sliding scale you can afford; this gives others who need to pay less the opportunity to attend. If the lower end of the range exceeds what you can afford, please offer what you can.
Fees cover room (for residential retreatants), simple vegetarian meals, and fixed costs (teacher transportation, room, and meals; facility rental costs; and miscellaneous expenses).
| Registration Preference | Cost | Sliding Scale |
|---|---|---|
| Single room | $365 | $182-$547 |
| Shared room | $300 | $150-$450 |
| Non-Residential | $200 | $100-$300 |
In keeping with Theravada Buddhist tradition, there is no charge for the teachings. However, there will be an opportunity to offer a freewill donation (dana) to the teacher. We encourage dana as each person’s way of supporting and demonstrating appreciation to the teacher for sharing the Dhamma with us.
RESERVED SPACES FOR YOUNG PEOPLE AND PERSONS OF COLOR
In line with our commitment to diversity and inclusion, we reserve the last few spots before the retreat fills up for young people and people of color who haven’t yet registered. We’ll reserve these spots up until two weeks before the retreat (July 7). After that, we'll open up any remaining spots to people on the waiting list. If you identify with one or both of those groups, please check the appropriate box(es) on the registration form. If you have questions about whether spaces are still available, please contact the registrar at registrar.madvip@gmail.com.
MEALS
On each full day of the retreat, there will be a vegetarian lunch and dinner in the dining hall. Breakfast will be available for residential retreatants. The retreat will end after lunch on Sunday, July 23. Please note that we are unable to accommodate special dietary needs.
SPECIAL NEEDS
If you want to use one of our assistive listening devices, please indicate this on the registration form. We find that these work best if they are used with your own earbuds or headphones. If you have questions about our devices, please contact Mike Kehl. To inquire about other needs, contact the registrar at registrar.madvip@gmail.com.
CHEMICAL SENSITIVITY
Please refrain from using perfumes or scented shampoos, ointments, or lotions in consideration of those with chemical sensitivities.
SCHEDULE
Friday, July 21
9:30 am – 8:15 pm (check-in 8:15 – 9:15 am)
Saturday, July 22
8:45 am – 8:15 pm
Sunday, July 23
8:45 am – 1:00 pm
RIDE SHARING
If you would like to request or offer a ride to and from Holy Wisdom, please indicate this on the registration form. Alternatively, contact the registrar at registrar.madvip@gmail.com.
TO REGISTER
To register, COMPLETE ONLINE REGISTRATION by July 14. Early registration is encouraged. If the retreat is full, you will have the option of being placed on a waiting list. Those on the waiting list who do not get a spot will receive a full refund. Please note that your place in the registration queue will not be secured until we receive your payment along with your registration form.
CANCELLATIONS
All cancellations will be subject to a nonrefundable $50 fee. Cancellations received on or before June 23 will be refunded the retreat fee less $50. Refunds, less $50, will be given to those canceling after June 23 only if another person wants to register for the retreat.
ONLINE PAYMENT
You will be asked to pay your registration fee online as you complete the registration form. If you prefer not to pay electronically, please contact the registrar at registrar.madvip@gmail.com to make other arrangements.
If you cannot pay your registration fee when you submit your registration form, you may return to this page later and use this payment link.
After registering and paying your fee, you’ll receive two emails, the first confirming that we received your complete registration. Close to the time of the retreat, you’ll receive another email providing additional details.
For questions about registration, contact the registrar at registrar.madvip@gmail.com.
DaRa Williams has practiced Insight Meditation for more than 25 years. She completed the Spirit Rock/IMS/IRC Teacher Training, and serves on the Spirit Rock Teachers Council, and as an Associate Guiding Teacher at IMS. DaRa is a trainer and wellness coach, and has been a clinician and administrator in the mental health field for over 25 years. She is a certified Focusing Oriented Therapist and a practitioner and trainer of Aboriginal Focusing Oriented Complex Trauma Therapy.
"It is my belief that vipassana meditation and the dharma are ideal for transforming suffering, particularly the trauma of oppression and its many vicissitudes-where the chains around our minds and hearts can be broken through and dissolved. Awareness and wisdom become the vehicle for freedom and transforming lives."