Street Retreats were pioneered by Bernie Glassman of the Zen Peacemaker Institute. They have been held since 1991 in many cities around the world, including several in Europe, the United States, Montreal, Ottawa, Vancouver and the upcoming retreat in Vancouver, BC to be held September 10-13, 2009.

LOGISTICS

Our group will be together almost all of the time, breaking into packs for short times during the day and always secured by buddies. We will meet twice a day for meditation, service and sharing circles. Partial time participation is not an option. You can only join for the entire retreat.

Do not shave, nor wash your hair for five days prior to the retreat. This will also start your street experience prior to leaving home.

1. Wear old clothes, as many layers as you feel appropriate for the time of year, and do not bring any change of clothes for the retreat, except for an extra pair of socks.
2. Wear good, but not new, walking shoes. ? We walk a great deal.
3. Bring one piece of Photo ID only, your Driver's License or other I.D. with your picture on it.
4. Do not bring any money (except for one-way bus fare approx. $2.50), illegal drugs, alcohol, weapons, or cell phones.
5. Do not wear any jewelry including earrings and watches.

Besides the clothes you are wearing, bring only an empty bag (shopping, plastic) or small (not new) day pack for collecting food from shelters, etc. You should not bring any books, conveniences etc. ?

Important: Please do bring some kind of rain gear such as a poncho, preferably something old or makeshift, nothing fancy. We will sleep on the streets and will avoid shelters so as not to take beds away from those in need.

Prior to the retreat, we will conduct an orientation for all those attending the retreat. You will meet your street cohorts and facilitators. We will discuss what to expect, but the unexpected will be the main teacher on the street.

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On this street retreat we will be supported by many social service agencies and public non-profit organizations. Since we are not truly homeless, we need to make donations to those who will be supporting our lives. For all of the street retreats that have been organized a donation has been requested of the participants in order to be able to offer donations to the social service agencies that support us. Prior to this retreat we ask that you each beg of your family, friends, associates or just on the street for $400.00 - to be distributed to those that have helped us after the retreat is over. We as a group will decide at the end of the retreat where the offerings should go and how much.

It is not acceptable for you to use your own funds for this purpose. To sincerely engage in this experience we need to humble ourselves at the outset, attempt to explain to others our reasons for participating and beg for their support. This is a hugely challenging and ultimately hugely rewarding experience. You need to ask at least five people - more would be great.

In the Zen Peacemaker Buddhist practice we call this assembling a Mala - prayer beads.

If you assemble a Mala of 18 or 108 beads, for example, you could beg proportionate donations for each bead. ? Sincerely promise your donors that they will be traveling with you on the retreat and you will personally tell them about your experience when you return home. It is a lovely gesture to label the beads and wear them during your time on the streets.

To give others the opportunity to give is a true gift. Don't doubt it.

When we are truly and selflessly motivated, people will support us.

Trust in this all your life.

Sensei Genro Grover Gauntt

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Download and fill out in full both "media downloads" on the left hand sidebar of this web site named:

Once forms are filled out, please forward via email to:

ORGANIZERS :
Jane Panek -  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it  
Phone: 604-298-3452
Lidija Martinovic – This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Phone: 604-708-4434
 

This retreat holds a maximum of 14 participants and is on a first come first serve basis.

Once your application has been accepted and your place on the retreat confirmed, you will have until Aug. 1st, 2009 to submit your mala donation. *Please be advised that at this time we will ask all participants to sign a liability waiver - the waiver must be signed for the applicant to participate on the retreat.

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Last update: 16-03-2009 21:29