Lovingkindness, Concentration, and Jhāna Factors: 9-night Retreat in Michigan

The Colombiere Retreat and Conference Center is a comfortable Jesuit retreat center located in woodlands about a one hour drive north of Detroit, Michigan. Colombiere offers a serene environment for meditation and contemplation. It boasts spacious grounds with gardens and pathways that invite quiet walks, and is surrounded by walking trails through pine and oak forests.

Accommodations are in comfortable modest single or double rooms. A limited number of rooms with ensuite baths are available for an additional fee.

Three meals a day will include omnivore and vegetarian options, plentiful salads, and daily desserts. With advanced notice, the culinary team will try to accommodate food allergies and special food needs. You can log your preferences and needs on the registration form.

The retreat facility is handicapped accessible. If you have mobility limitations, please contact the registrar for details.

Please note that this will be a non-smoking retreat.

COVID PRECAUTIONS: Please read our page on COVID Measures and Compliance Requirements. This will explain  the measures we are taking to prevent the spread of illness, and the actions that will be required of retreat participants.

TO REGISTER: Please use the online form at the link below to submit your registration and waiver forms. Additional information is on the IMSB website at: https://www.imsb.org/event/michigan-metta-retreat/

Link to registration form:

This form will take approximately 20 minutes to fill out. Upon completion of the form you will receive an email with details for completing your payment. You have the option of paying the non-refundable deposit of $250 or the full retreat payment either by mailing a check to the registrar or by making a Zelle bank transfer. The address and account information for making this payment will be included in the registration confirmation email.

If we must cancel the retreat for any reason (such as if we are under shelter-in-place orders at the time of the retreat), we will return your deposit and fees, however, the $250 deposit remains non-refundable if you cancel your reservation. Details of our cancellation policy are on the registration form.

REQUIREMENTS: This 9-night retreat is designed for experienced students. Previous retreat experience in the insight meditation tradition is required, with a minimum of at least one week-long silent residential retreat. If you have less than one week-long silent retreat experience, your attendance requires approval from the teacher.

COST: 9 nights (fees cover accommodation and meals). In addition, there will be an opportunity to donate to the teacher at the end of retreat.

Due to precautions regarding the spread of COVID-19, most participants will need to select the single room option and a rate along the single room sliding scale.

• Full retreat for single occupancy: 9 nights is $2,600 – $1,900 sliding scale (estimated actual cost for single is $2300)
• Double occupancy sliding scale: $2300 – $1700 (estimated actual cost for double occupancy is $1950)
• A limited number of rooms (for either singles or doubles) have ensuite bathrooms available for a supplemental fee of $250
• Early arrival fee of $180 covers sleeping accommodations Monday, August 21 and lunch August 22. Individuals are responsible for their own meals on Monday August 21, and breakfast August 22.

Fee covers only accommodations, food, and basic administrative expenses. There will be an opportunity at the end of the retreat to make a donation to the teacher.

The estimated actual per-person cost if we had used a fixed rate is $2300 for a single room, $1950 for a shared room. By selecting an amount above the estimated actual cost, your generosity supports those who need to select a lower rate to attend the retreat. Selecting an amount below the estimated actual cost is equivalent to receiving a partial scholarship.

The sliding scale will allow most scholarship needs to be self-managed. If you need additional scholarship support to attend, please apply for a scholarship through https://opendharmafoundation.org, or contact our registrar for scholarship assistance through the IMSB/Bodhi-Retreats/Still Mountain scholarship funds.

PARTIAL ATTENDANCE may be arranged for the first 3 nights, but priority is given to full retreat participants. We strongly encourage attendance at the full retreat. Applicants for partial attendance will be placed on a wait list which will be reviewed approximately 2 months prior to the retreat.

• 3 nights (Tuesday–Friday) for single occupancy is $1200 – $700 sliding scale (estimated actual cost for single is $900)
• 3 nights (Tuesday–Friday) for double occupancy is $1100 – $600 sliding scale (estimated actual cost for single is $800)

DANA: Compensation for the teacher is not included in the registration price. There will be an opportunity to offer donations to the teacher at the end of the retreat.

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Co-Sponsored by Bodhi Retreats, Insight Meditation South Bay, and Still Mountain Buddhist Meditation Center