You don’t have to be a Buddhist to participate in Lotus sits and events, and you don’t need to have previous meditation experience. Below are a couple notes of orientation that may help you prepare for your first sit with us.
Facilitators and introductions
We begin our sits (except for the weekday silent meditation) by doing introductions. At this time, guidance is often offered to newcomers, so please do let us know if you are a beginning meditator or prefer to have instruction at the beginning of the sit. If you'd like to be introduced to Vipassana meditation before you attend in person and hear examples of some simple instructions for practice, please visit our "audio dharma" page.
We begin our sits (except for the weekday silent meditation) by doing introductions. At this time, guidance is often offered to newcomers, so please do let us know if you are a beginning meditator or prefer to have instruction at the beginning of the sit. If you'd like to be introduced to Vipassana meditation before you attend in person and hear examples of some simple instructions for practice, please visit our "audio dharma" page.
Group agreements
Please come fragrance-free to all LIS events. If you arrive wearing a fragrance that makes someone ill, you may be asked to wash it off or change seating during the session.
Please enter quietly if you arrive after the scheduled start time and remember to silence your cell phones. It is also nice to let the group know if you know you might need to leave before the scheduled close.
Facilities notes
All LIS venues are accessible unless otherwise noted. Chairs will be provided at all sits but feel free to bring your own cushion or chair as well.
It is always okay to take care of your physical needs during the sit. Participants are encouraged to shift mindfully if they need to use the restroom or excuse themselves to the hallway.
Fees and Giving
To help the sangha pay for the cost of space rental and food, we sometimes request a retreat fee or suggest a donation for the venue.
Teachers do not get paid for their time but rather rely on the generosity of others for their livelihood, as has been done for more than 2,500 years. Teacher dana allows everyone access to the teachings, regardless of their ability to pay.
Please come fragrance-free to all LIS events. If you arrive wearing a fragrance that makes someone ill, you may be asked to wash it off or change seating during the session.
Please enter quietly if you arrive after the scheduled start time and remember to silence your cell phones. It is also nice to let the group know if you know you might need to leave before the scheduled close.
Facilities notes
All LIS venues are accessible unless otherwise noted. Chairs will be provided at all sits but feel free to bring your own cushion or chair as well.
It is always okay to take care of your physical needs during the sit. Participants are encouraged to shift mindfully if they need to use the restroom or excuse themselves to the hallway.
Fees and Giving
To help the sangha pay for the cost of space rental and food, we sometimes request a retreat fee or suggest a donation for the venue.
Teachers do not get paid for their time but rather rely on the generosity of others for their livelihood, as has been done for more than 2,500 years. Teacher dana allows everyone access to the teachings, regardless of their ability to pay.