Online:  November 2-9, 2021 
Self Retreat:  November 9-14

Robin Wall Kimmerer, an indigenous teacher of the intersection of the wisdom of plants, ecology and scholarship, writes:

“Even a wounded world is feeding us. Even a wounded world holds us, giving us moments of wonder and joy. I choose joy over despair. Not because I have my head in the sand but because joy is what the earth gives me daily and I must return the gift.”

When we read these words they might resonate deeply in our hearts and yet sometimes it is difficult to remember and then embody the joy that is being offered. The practice of the dharma strengthens our capacity to answer this calling and to be able to live it more often. There is also a power, and often it feels magical when we come together in community and the depth, caring, and safety that is created on this journey.

Arinna’s Retreats, with support from Dhamma Dena  Meditation Center, is offering a virtual one-week Vipassana Retreat, creating a container for those who identify as LGBTQIA+ & Gender Non-Conforming. There will also be an opportunity at the end of the retreat to continue practice in a 5-day self-retreat.

• Open to beginners and long-standing students.
• There will be an opportunity for group interviews for all retreatants during the retreat.
• There will be an opportunity to offer dana / donations for the teachings at the close of the retreat.
• This retreat will offer BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) and Trans affinity mediation spaces every day.

*We strive to bring together a racially mixed group with a range of social identities. Historically, without intervention, retreats in the US have predominantly white applicants and attendees. This retreat is reserving space to allow for BIPOC retreatants to be in the company of other BIPOC retreatants, as well as non-BIPOC retreatants.

After filling out the registration, you will receive a confirmation of your registration or a notification that you have been put on the waitlist. If you are waitlisted, please be patient with us as we continue to receive other applications and create a balanced and affirming space for all. We have currently reached our capacity for white participants, although the waiting list is still open.

Thank you for your patience and please feel free to reach out to arinnaretreats@gmail.com with any questions.