How do I do a meditation retreat at home?

A meditation retreat at home is a great way to try some longer meditation times and get to know yourself better. Each person will set up a schedule that fits them and their goals, but there are several suggestions that usually hold true for home retreats.

• We suggest that during your retreat you'll want to be alone if possible - knowing that it's not always possible. It’s best not to see or talk with anyone, or get distracted using the internet, listening to the radio and so on. Try to maintain silence during the meditation retreat. If possible, do the retreat to a place where you won’t hear people talking a lot.
• If you've got housemates, family, or kids so that being entirely alone during the retreat just isn't going to happen, try to clearly communicate with them and ask them for support. Ideas for things you might ask include having them help with your chores or honoring quiet time in the evenings.
• You might want to plan your meals ahead of time, and maybe even prepare them beforehand so you don’t have to think too much about shopping or cooking while you're on retreat. It’s nice to have a set schedule of sitting and walking meditation with one or two hours at each meal for time to prepare, eat, clean up, and rest.
• We recommend that most of the day be spent on meditating with a little time allotted for reading and contemplation, and mindful movement, if you’d like. You could have a book on hand for study and contemplation. In general, your reading should support and inspire your practice. Reading and study are not meant to be the focus of a meditation retreat.
• On the first morning, take a few minutes to reflect on your aspiration for the retreat. You might contemplate the qualities you'd like to emphasize or what you would like to learn from the meditation retreat at home.
• During the breaks between meditating, you can spend time reading and contemplating. You could also choose to do something physical to stay fresh, such as stretching, yoga, or Tai Chi. If you’re in an isolated place, you can practice walking meditation.
• Generally, you should feel relaxed and supported on retreat, but a somewhat rigorous schedule can help you build confidence in meeting your goals. You might consider going just a little bit out of your comfort zone, but not so much that you feel worried that you won’t be able to follow the schedule you've set. Think about waking up just a little earlier than usual, or changing your usual routine in some other way. This helps the mind stay fresh and interested and experience retreat as a different situation than normal.

Rather than trying to create a 'perfect' retreat, do your best to set up an environment that will help you settle into time for insight, and well-being during and after your retreat experience.