December Awakening Week with Soryu Forall

December Awakening Week is a week-long meditation retreat led by head teacher Soryu Forall at the Monastic Academy (MAPLE) in Lowell, Massachusetts. Rooted in Zen Buddhism, it is open to people who want to practice zazen alongside a residential community of practitioners who live and work together full-time. Those wanting to refine their sitting posture will find direct guidance, and the week includes personal time with the teacher.

What to Expect

The week is built around daily zazen in the zendo, led by Soryu Forall. Meditation and posture guidance is part of the schedule, which suits people who are newer to sitting as well as those who want to look again at how they hold their body in practice.

Alongside sitting, you will meet with the teacher personally during the week. These meetings are a chance to talk through your practice with the person guiding it.

Grounds work is also part of the retreat. Here, meditation is not kept separate from the work of keeping a place running: you practice while working, in the same way the residents do. The daily rhythm moves between sitting, guidance, work and meals, and two vegan meals are served each day.

About Soryu Forall

Soryu Forall is the head teacher of the Monastic Academy and leads this retreat. The Academy describes itself as a dedicated community of practitioners who live and work full-time together, and the awakening week is offered as a way for guests to take a seat within that community.

The Setting

The retreat takes place at the Monastic Academy in Lowell, Massachusetts, a residential practice community. You join the people who live there, sitting in their zendo, working on their grounds and sharing their meals. Both daily meals are vegan.

Arrival is on the Wednesday before the awakening week begins, and departure is on the Sunday after it ends. If you would like to stay longer, you are welcome to remain until the following Wednesday or beyond. A weekly Wednesday shuttle is available for those who want to use it for travel. The community is glad to answer questions about getting there.

Before You Go

Participation is by application. No prior experience requirement is described, so if you are unsure whether the retreat suits your level of practice, it is worth asking the Academy before you apply.

Included in the retreat:

- Meditation and posture guidance
- Personal meetings with the teacher
- Grounds work
- Two vegan meals each day

Please note that event dates are subject to change, so confirm the schedule with the Monastic Academy as your plans take shape. Arrival and departure days sit outside the main week, so allow for travel on both sides.