Weekend Getaway Retreat
INFINITE PEACE
Friday, February 28 to Sunday, March 2, 2025
Enjoy a deeply peaceful and inspiring weekend of guided meditation, relaxation, and spiritual community on the shores of Lake Michigan at Siena Retreat Center outside Racine, WI.
Unique Weekend
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Enjoy morning silence to enhance your meditation experience
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Immerse yourself in clear and joyful guided meditations
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Relax and feel supported by a friendly, welcoming community
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Explore the beautiful grounds, wooded trail, and natural prairie
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Treat yourself to delicious and wholesome meals, and time for rest and reflection.
Unique Meditation
We will be emphasizing a very special meditation called clarity of mind, in which we explore the fundamental nature of our mind, and discover its boundless capacity for peace, joy, and wisdom. An ideal meditation for beginners and experienced meditators alike, it will forever improve the way you meditate!
Unique Results
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Quiet your mind and reduce distractions
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Develop a strong and flexible mind
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Improve your insight and wisdom
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Make all your meditations powerful & effective
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Awaken your deepest spiritual potential
We will also discuss how to integrate the experiences and insights from retreat into daily life.
Suitable for all levels – from complete beginners to advanced students – the weekend will be led by Gen Kelsang Zamling, the resident teacher of KMC Chicago. With over 20 years' experience, his guidance in retreat is always very clear, supportive, and practical.
Everyone is invited to this very special, meaningful weekend. Due to the limited space and popularity of our annual retreat, we recommend registering early to avoid disappointment!
LOCATION & GETTING THERE
Siena Retreat Center
5637 Erie Street, Racine, WI 53402
Established in the 1960s on the shore of Lake Michigan, Siena Retreat Center hosts thousands of people annually and offers ideal retreat conditions: a beautiful, modern building, clean and comfortable rooms, tranquil woodland grounds with gorgeous views of Lake Michigan.
Driving:
Detailed driving directions and map are available on Siena's website. Ample free parking is available on site.
Carpooling:
If you need a ride or have room in your car for someone else, please contact Lynn (admin@meditateinchicago.org). She'll be happy to help facilitate.
SCHEDULE
Friday's Introduction will explain the retreat content and format, and provide helpful suggestions for getting the most from your retreat experience. Each of the sessions on Saturday and Sunday will include practical instruction and guided meditation, and there will be an informal question-and-answer period Saturday evening.
Everyone will be encouraged to observe silence in the mornings before lunch to enhance their retreat experience, and in general, students are invited to take time to reflect, relax, explore the beautiful grounds, and connect with fellow retreaters throughout the weekend.
Friday
February 28
5:30pm
Check-in begins
7:30pm - 8:30pm
Introduction
Please note, dinner will not be provided on Friday night. Please arrange to eat before arriving or bring food with you.
Saturday
March 1
7:30am - 8:30am
breakfast
9:00am - 10:15am
Session 1
11:00am - 12:00pm
Session 2
12:00pm - 12:30pm
lunch
4:30pm - 5:30pm
Session 3
5:30pm - 6:00pm
dinner
7:30pm - 9:00pm
Session 4 (includes Q&A)
Sunday
March 2
7:30am - 8:30am
breakfast
9:00am - 10:00am
Session 1
11:00am - 12:00pm
Session 2
FOOD & LODGING
Food:
The retreat includes breakfast, lunch, and dinner on Saturday, and breakfast on Sunday. All meals will be vegetarian. If you have any special dietary restrictions such as gluten free or dairy free, please email Lynn at admin@meditateinchicago.org
Please note that dinner will not be provided on Friday night. Please arrange to eat before arriving or bring food with you.
Accommodations:
All rooms are single, ensuite rooms which are clean, simple, quiet, and comfortable -- perfect for retreat.
TEACHER
Gen Kelsang Zamling
Gen Zamling is an ordained Buddhist monk and the principal meditation teacher of KMC Chicago. A student of Kadampa Buddhism since 1998, he has engaged in ongoing teacher training and many short and longer personal meditation retreats. He has taught meditation classes throughout the United Kingdom and the United States, and has led many short and longer group retreats. Gen Zamling's retreats are well-loved, and his guidance is always very clear, supportive, and practical.
RETREAT MATERIALS & BOOKS
Seating:
We will provide chairs and a limited number of meditation cushions, but you are welcome to bring any meditation cushions, pillows, or supports you may need.
Clothing:
We recommend comfortable, loose-fitting clothing; if you run cold, you may wish to bring a light blanket or sweater.
Books:
Retreats offer a wonderful opportunity to go deeper within a particular meditation topic, and the meditations this weekend will be drawn from portions of the books below. These books are not required reading but helpful guides during and after your retreat, which you can purchase at the retreat. Additional books and meditation items will also be available.
Clear Light of Bliss
Mahamudra Tantra
REGISTRATION
Retreat Cost: $390 per person
cost includes:
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the retreat itself
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single ensuite room
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3 meals on Saturday & 1 meal on Sunday
Space is limited, so please register as soon as possible. Registration closes on Feb 21 or when space is filled.
Cancellation & Refund Policies
Please read the following information carefully.
Cancellation deadlines
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If you cancel before February 7th, 25% of the total booking will be retained.
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Cancellations within 2 weeks are non-refundable
Refund exceptions
Exceptions are discretionary and may be made in cases such as bereavement or sickness, or other reasonably unforeseen circumstances. All such requests must be made in writing to admin@meditateinchicago.org
Donating fees
KMC Chicago supports the International Temples Project. You may choose to donate refundable cancellation fees to the ITP. If you wish to donate the refundable portion of your cancellation fee, please indicate this at the time of cancellation.
CONTACT US
Questions or concerns? You can check in the FAQ below, or reach out to us.
Lynn (admin@meditateinchicago.org)
Phone (voice or text)
312-767-1898
FAQ
Q: I have little to no previous experience with meditation or Buddhism. Is this an appropriate event to attend?
A: Absolutely! Our retreats always include a wide range of experience, from absolute beginners to seasoned meditators. Although the meditations are drawn from the Buddhist tradition, they are appropriate and helpful for everyone, regardless of background or belief. No previous experience is necessary, and the retreat sessions will include valuable guidance especially suitable for newcomers.
Q: What can I expect during each of the retreat sessions?
A: Most of the sessions are an hour long, and the initial sessions will focus on providing the background understanding necessary to meditate effectively during the retreat. Later sessions will focus on improving our ability to focus and concentrate more deeply. Each session will include some brief preparatory practices, practical instruction, and guided meditation.
Q: Is there an opportunity to receive personal support or guidance?
A: Yes. Because our retreats are attended by many seasoned students, often the best support comes from our peers over a meal, a cup of tea, or a walk on the grounds. Also, you are encouraged to submit questions to our teacher, Gen Zamling, who will address as many as he can during sessions, especially during the Q&A Saturday evening.
Q: I have a really hard time concentrating; will this retreat help?
A: Distraction is a universal challenge in meditation (and daily life!), and we all need to learn how to overcome them gradually. Fortunately, retreat offers an ideal opportunity -- away from our normal daily busyness -- to work constructively with distraction in meditation. By improving our meditation skills in retreat, we will return home calm and refreshed, and better equipped to deal with distraction in our daily life.
Q: I read that part of the retreat will be silent, and I'm a bit nervous; should I be?
A: For many people it's rare to spend any period of time in silence, especially around others. Although for some it takes some time to adjust, the overwhelming feedback we've received is that people love it! And to clarify, we will observe silence only in the mornings until lunch; the afternoon and evening is a chance to connect, socialize, and learn from others if you wish. It's all up to you.
Q: I have additional questions; what should I do?
A: We'd love to hear from you! Please email our Administrative Director, Lynn (admin@meditateinchicago.org) or feel free to call or text 312-767-1898.
