Solo Retreats at Wonderwell
Solitary retreat provides an opportunity to step away from the busyness and speed of daily life and engage deeply with meditation practice.
Ideally, a solo retreat can greatly support a practitioner’s inward journey by allowing a deeper, more insightful relationship to oneself and one’s practice through silence, deep meditation, and relaxation in Wonderwell’s peaceful and supportive environment.
This type of retreat is self-led, without any formal program or instruction, and is intended for people with an established meditation practice and at least some experience with meditation retreats.
Application requirements vary depending on the length of the solo retreat requested. See below for details.
Health and Safety for Solo Retreats
Although the public health situation in the U.S. has improved, safety protocols are still in place to protect retreatants and staff. Some adjustments have been made. Please read the following carefully.
- You must be fully vaccinated to be at Wonderwell. This includes solo retreats.
- Bring a mask in case of need. Circumstances change, so please be prepared.
- Self-monitor your health status carefully prior to coming. Do not come to Wonderwell if you have a cough, sore throat, fever, or any other symptoms or signs of illness.
- If you develop symptoms while at Wonderwell, please let us know. We may ask that you return home and contact your health providers there. Refunds will be issued for all retreats canceled or shortened due to illness.
- The Meditation Hall will be available for solo retreatant use at certain times, except when group retreats are happening. Specific times to be in the Hall may be scheduled, depending on other uses of that space during your stay.
- Solo Retreatants should stay in their designated retreat areas and enter the main part of the building only when passing through to the Meditation Hall (or if there is some emergency). Please wear a mask at all times when passing through public areas of the building.
- If you need to communicate with staff during your retreat, please use text or phone.
- Check-in time is no earlier than 12:00 noon on the first day of your retreat, and departure must be no later than noon on the final day. This is to allow sufficient time for airing and cleaning of retreat spaces prior to the next retreatant’s arrival.
- Please bring a personal pillow for sleeping, and a bath towel.
- Sheets – please bring your own if possible. Blankets will be provided.
- The Vajra Suite is the exception – we provide these sheets since the bed is king size. No need to bring your own.
- The Garden Level Suite has two bedrooms, each with a twin-size bed.
- No candles, incense, or open flames are allowed inside the building.
Application Requirements for Solo Retreat
To apply for a solo retreat, please send an email to facilities@wonderwellrefuge.org with the following information:
- Your preferred dates for retreat, and the retreat space you are interested in (see below).
- For a solo retreat of 2-6 nights, please describe your style of meditation practice, how long you have been practicing, your meditation retreat history, and how you plan to utilize your retreat time at Wonderwell.
- For a solo retreat of 7 nights or longer, please provide the same information as above, and, in addition, a letter of recommendation from your meditation instructor or Dharma teacher.
Before being accepted to engage in a solo retreat at Wonderwell, you may be asked to have a phone interview with Wonderwell’s Managing Teacher.
These requirements are to ensure that Wonderwell can best support your retreat experience.
Cost and Payment
Payment for solo retreats must be submitted in full to complete the reservation. Descriptions and photos of each solo retreat space are shown below.
- The cost of the Vajra Suite is $150 per night.
- The cost of the Garden Level Suite is $108 per night.
There is a 20% discount for retreats of 7-13 nights, a 30% discount for retreats of 14-20 nights, and a 40% discount for retreats of 21 nights or longer.
Other Important Points
- You will need to bring all your own food for your solo retreat. Each area has its own kitchen for your exclusive use while you are here. These kitchens are not intended for elaborate cooking, and simplicity is encouraged.
- There is a nearby grocery store (10-minute drive) for shopping and resupply during longer retreats.
- Solo retreatants are asked to maintain Noble Silence while at Wonderwell, except for the initial arrival & orientation, requests, and emergencies.
- There may occasionally be grounds and maintenance work happening on the premises. We cannot promise complete silence at all times.
- Wifi is available for retreatant use if needed.
Solo Retreat Space Descriptions
Vajra Suite
Located on the first floor, this suite has easy access via a small private deck. Inside there is a spacious bedroom, a private bath and kitchen, and a comfortable sitting/meditation room. The Vajra Suite looks out over the rear grounds to the forest and the mountains beyond – with the added benefit that the view is visible from the comfort of the king-size bed.
The kitchen features a medium-sized fridge, hotplate (no actual stove), microwave, toaster oven, and electric kettle. There are pots and pans, dishes, utensils, knives and cutting boards. There is very little in the way of spices, condiments or cooking oil, so it’s best to bring with you what you like.
Garden Level Suite
Although technically “in the basement” of Wonderwell, this suite is bright and comfortable and fully above ground all along the west side of the building. It features two bedrooms with single beds (both for your use, perhaps one as a meditation room, one for sleeping), a private bathroom, and a private kitchen/sitting/dining area with a bank of west-facing windows to take in the views. The private entrance is accessed by a set of outdoor stairs, and this door opens directly onto the beauty of the rear grounds and gardens.
This kitchen features a full-size fridge (with freezer), electric stove w/oven, microwave, toaster, and electric kettle. There are pots and pans, dishes, utensils, knives and cutting boards. There is very little in the way of spices, condiments or cooking oil, so it’s best to bring with you what you like.
