[Blindtlk] Buddhist meditation retreats

[Julie J.]

Jewel,

I have not been to a retreat, but I have been strongly considering it for a 
couple of years.  Anyway, most of the websites I've looked at all have 
statements like this one:
"San Francisco Zen Center welcomes diversity. People of every race, 
nationality, class, gender, sexual orientation, age, and physical ability — 
all are welcome."

So that sounds pretty encouraging to me.  I'd give them a call, explain your 
situation and see how it goes.  Usually I don't announce my blindness and 
the guide dog ahead of time, but I think in this situation it would be 
appropriate.   I'd ask for the marker board schedule info by email because 
that is less expensive and easier for them to do than Braille.  It also 
allows for faster turn around time if there are changes to the schedule.

If you go, please share your experience.  this is definitely something I 
will do  in the future.

Julie



-----Original Message----- 
From: Jewel
Sent: Tuesday, October 01, 2013 6:10 PM
To: blind-mentalhealth at yahoogroups.com ; Blind Talk Mailing List
Subject: [Blindtlk] Buddhist meditation retreats

Dear all,
As a practicing Buddhist, I do meditation daily and try to incorporate 
mindfulness into my life. I do not have a center to attend. There is one in 
Raleigh, but neither bus or paratransit will go there and I have tried and 
failed to get someone to volunteer to drive me there each week. I really 
think the best option for me to learn from a teacher is to attend a retreat. 
There is one in Asheville that sounds nice. Has anyone gone on one of these 
retreats? If so, I would like to know about accessibility. How receptive 
were they to having a blind participant? If you have a guide dog, how did 
they feel about you bringing him or her? How did you communicate with 
teachers during the days of silence? The one I am considering says they 
communicate through a message board on days of silence? Did the retreat 
staff provide these messages in Braille?
Any stories of experience would be appreciated. I really think a meditation 
retreat would help my mental health a lot.
-Jewel


reply://herekittykat2@gmail.com


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