Fall Meditation Retreat: Two Wings, One Bird
Wednesday, November 18 - Saturday, November 21, 2026
Salt Lake City, Utah

Retreat lottery registration is now closed - look for a follow-up email soon. 

Please do not make any payments at this time (wait until notified).

Just as a bird needs two wings to fly, the Buddhist journey soars on the two wings of wisdom and compassion. The Buddha offered wisdom practices that cultivate deep and transformative insight into the nature of suffering and release from suffering; he also taught compassion practices that cultivate care about the suffering of the world and supports the sure heart's release. Together, these two mutually supportive wings of the Dharma can lift us to an open-hearted freedom to flourish in all aspects of our lives.
 
The silent retreat will weave together wisdom and compassion practices. Held in noble silence, the retreat will invite mindfulness and opening of the heart through sitting and walking meditation, Qigong*, Dharma talks, and personal meetings with teachers.

Meals: Meals will be simple vegetarian and vegan. This will not be a fully gluten free kitchen but we will offer gluten free items. We may be able to accommodate food allergies but not all sensitivities. 

Accommodations: All rooms are double occupancy (two twin beds, except for one queen bed) with a shared bathroom.  During lottery registration you can indicate preferences for:

• Sharing a room with a specific applicant
• Sharing a room based on gender
• Sharing a queen bed

Location: Episcopal Retreat & Conference Center, 75 South 200 East, Salt Lake City

Arrival: Wednesday, November 18, 1:00-3:00pm
Retreat Close: Saturday, November 21, 2:00pm

* QiGong will be offered by Chantal on a Dana basis. Movement during the retreat is optional.  Chantal is a meditation practitioner, a Medical Qigong Practitioner, and the founder of Mindful Essence, offering therapeutic Qigong sessions and Vitality coaching.
​www.mindfulessence.net

Photo: Ben Nielsen

Registration Details

Participants: SPACE IS LIMITED TO 20. There will be a registration lottery giving preference in this order until all open spots are filled (a waitlist will then be created):

• NUI SLC Sangha members
• Any NUI Sangha members
• Any other meditation practitioner

Note: Submit your registration during the lottery window regardless of your category, i.e. there is just one lottery registration period for everyone.

Registration: Lottery registration will open June 22 and close on July 13 at midnight.  Registrations received after that will be placed on the waitlist behind initial registrants.

Selected participants are confirmed after completing the retreat registration and making payment (or arrangements) by August 12.  After August 12 your place will be given to the next person on the waitlist.

Fees: Please choose which amount you can afford. Sustaining rates cover the cost for site rental and food. Benefactor rates support scholarships.

• Scholarship: $250 (additional support available)
• Sustaining: $315
• Benefactor: $375

Please do not make any payments at this time (wait until notified).

Dana: This is a Dana (donation) based retreat meaning your teachers and cooks are not paid and only receive your donations at the close of retreat. We offer freely, with a deep bow.

Refunds / Cancellations:
If your plans change, please email [email protected] as soon as possible.
Refunds will be offered as follows:

• Before September 22 - full refund
• September 23 - October 22: 50% refund unless filled, then full refund
• October 23 or later: no refund unless filled, then full refund (emergency situations can be addressed)

Thank you for your kind understanding of the planning decisions that go into organizing a retreat, many of which require advanced financial commitments for the facilities and food.

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