Attended a three-day retreat last weekend and enjoyed the meditation practices with some 80 people attending. Collective energy, collective mindfulness is a palpable reality.
Below Lynn J Kelly elaborates on what a retreat might do for each of us depending upon where we are on the path.
How ’bout you? Are retreats helpful for your practice?
Life Matters 
I can speak about my own path, as a Buddhist Priest, living as a lay. Before becoming a monk, I had to stay in the monastery for 6 months, completely silent, alone all day apart from the moments of common lessons or meals. I admit, even as a Sangha leader, that I prefer, and by a great length, practicing alone, as I can delve deeper and deeper into myself without worrying about common practices, schedules, or social gatherings.
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Thank you for your response and perspective, Raffaello Palandri. You have seen the practice from both sides and I appreciate your thoughts on this. _/\|
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I attended one retreat for just 3 days 27 years ago which showed me what was missing from my meditation practice. It was a lack of purpose and focus in my entire practice, it had no meaning. Enter Buddhism! I recently spent 18 days in Nepal with a close spiritual friend in Kathmandu meeting and meditating with other people whose practice they grew up with. These folks also see everyone in a temple at the same time as part of their sangha. Immersing myself in such an environment, including 5 days at Lumbini, has been cathartic.
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Thank you, Brian. Yes, the mahasangha is a place of refuge for us all.
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