General retreat information
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Retreats at Furnace Mountain provide participants with an opportunity to pursue spiritual inquiry in an environment of silence, stillness and collective effort. We ask retreat participants to hold four agreements: Be still Be silent Don’t look around Do your best During a retreat the participants sit, walk, work and eat together in silence. The teacher(s) leading the retreat will give encouragement through a talk each day, and participants will have the opportunity to attend private interviews with the teacher(s). Interviews are a time to consult about one’s practice, ask questions about Zen meditation and take up koan inquiry. |
Everyone is asked to make a great effort to sit still, attend meditation sessions no matter how tired, and to continually give their best to staying present. Work periods and the shared meals are a form of practice as well, and the same effort is required.
Some previous experience of sitting meditation is helpful. If you have any concerns, or believe you have a pre-existing physical, emotional or psychological issue that could impact your ability to fully participate in the retreat, please email our office account and ask to speak to our guest master.
Retreats vary in length from one to 30 days. Day long retreats are non-residential.
Participation in retreat is by application only.
To apply for retreat, please email us and we'll send the application form.
Some previous experience of sitting meditation is helpful. If you have any concerns, or believe you have a pre-existing physical, emotional or psychological issue that could impact your ability to fully participate in the retreat, please email our office account and ask to speak to our guest master.
Retreats vary in length from one to 30 days. Day long retreats are non-residential.
Participation in retreat is by application only.
To apply for retreat, please email us and we'll send the application form.
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Daily Schedule during in-person Zen retreats: 5:30 Wake Up 6:00 - 8:00 Chanting, Sitting and Free Walking 8:00 Breakfast 8:30 - 9:30 Work Period 10:00 - 12:30 Sitting, Dharma Talk and Free Walking 12:30 - 1:00 Lunch 1:00 - 2:30 Lunch Clean-Up and Free Time 2:30 - 4:30 Sitting and Interviews 4:30 - 6:00 Personal Practice Time (Yoga, Walk...) 6:00 - 7:00 Dinner (optional light meal) 7:00 - 9:00 Chanting, Sitting and Free Walking 9:30 Retire |
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Travel:
Traveling by car:
After being fully registered you will be emailed directions to the Zen Center. We are located near the Red River Gorge area of Eastern Kentucky, about 1 hour from Lexington, 2 hours from Louisville.
We encourage you to do car-sharing with other retreat participants.
Traveling by airplane:
The airport (LEX) is about an hour drive from the Zen Center. Car rental and Uber are available at Bluegrass Airport.
We are no longer able to provide transportation, but are happy to connect you with other retreat participants to arrange car-sharing.
Please only book your flight after having received a registration confirmation from FMZC!
Venue:
Furnace Mountain occupies 1000 wooded acres in the foothills of the Appalachians.
There are a number of buildings on the property:
The Tea-House (providing the administrative center and some accommodation), a number of cabins providing simple accommodation, and a Meditation Hall modelled after traditional Korean temple buildings.
All buildings are linked by trails rather than paved roads. Both the temple and teahouse are wheel-chair accessible, and transportation between buildings is possible if you are handicapped.
Traveling by car:
After being fully registered you will be emailed directions to the Zen Center. We are located near the Red River Gorge area of Eastern Kentucky, about 1 hour from Lexington, 2 hours from Louisville.
We encourage you to do car-sharing with other retreat participants.
Traveling by airplane:
The airport (LEX) is about an hour drive from the Zen Center. Car rental and Uber are available at Bluegrass Airport.
We are no longer able to provide transportation, but are happy to connect you with other retreat participants to arrange car-sharing.
Please only book your flight after having received a registration confirmation from FMZC!
Venue:
Furnace Mountain occupies 1000 wooded acres in the foothills of the Appalachians.
There are a number of buildings on the property:
The Tea-House (providing the administrative center and some accommodation), a number of cabins providing simple accommodation, and a Meditation Hall modelled after traditional Korean temple buildings.
All buildings are linked by trails rather than paved roads. Both the temple and teahouse are wheel-chair accessible, and transportation between buildings is possible if you are handicapped.
Accommodation:
Accommodation is provided in simple single-sex shared rooms (2-4 persons per room).
Some rooms have their own (shared) bathrooms, others use the bathhouse toilets and showers.
Meals:
Organic, vegetarian meals are provided and included in the cost of the retreat. We serve simple vegetarian meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner) prepared freshly every day. As much as possible we use produce from our own gardens and substitute with products/produce from our local Coop. We try to accommodate food allergies, but are not able to cater to food preferences.
Accommodation is provided in simple single-sex shared rooms (2-4 persons per room).
Some rooms have their own (shared) bathrooms, others use the bathhouse toilets and showers.
Meals:
Organic, vegetarian meals are provided and included in the cost of the retreat. We serve simple vegetarian meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner) prepared freshly every day. As much as possible we use produce from our own gardens and substitute with products/produce from our local Coop. We try to accommodate food allergies, but are not able to cater to food preferences.
Please bring:
Bed linen, a towel, personal toiletries and any medicines, an alarm clock, a flashlight, comfortable clothing, insect and tick repellent, a waterproof jacket and outdoor shoes or boots – the trails and paths around the property can be muddy in wet weather.
Please note: We provide bed linen for participants who need to fly in!
Sitting cushions and mats, as well as chairs are provided in the temple, but please bring your own cushion or bench if you have particular needs.
Please wear subdued colors (black, brown, blue or grey) in the meditation hall and dress modestly – no shorts, tank tops or tight yoga wear.
No perfumes, after-shave lotions or essential oils!
Alcohol and other drugs are not allowed at Furnace Mountain Zen Center.
Bed linen, a towel, personal toiletries and any medicines, an alarm clock, a flashlight, comfortable clothing, insect and tick repellent, a waterproof jacket and outdoor shoes or boots – the trails and paths around the property can be muddy in wet weather.
Please note: We provide bed linen for participants who need to fly in!
Sitting cushions and mats, as well as chairs are provided in the temple, but please bring your own cushion or bench if you have particular needs.
Please wear subdued colors (black, brown, blue or grey) in the meditation hall and dress modestly – no shorts, tank tops or tight yoga wear.
No perfumes, after-shave lotions or essential oils!
Alcohol and other drugs are not allowed at Furnace Mountain Zen Center.