Join Andrea Russell and Sheryl Lilke on a meditation retreat close to home in the tranquil woods of northern Wisconsin. The retreat will be held at The Christine Center in Willard, Wisconsin (three hours northwest from Madison) on 125 acres of land, offering a nurturing and supportive environment for deepening practice and connection.
During the retreat, we’ll focus on slowing down and deepening your meditation practice. Days will include gentle yoga to prepare your body for sitting, several periods of seated and walking meditation, dharma talks, and opportunities to ask questions and receive support. Much of our time together will be spent observing noble silence, enabling us to turn our attention inward and create community based on shared devotion to practice.
Each afternoon there will be free time to walk in the woods, sit on benches overlooking the pond, drink tea, read, knit, or whatever else feels relaxing and restorative.
It’s a wonderful and welcoming environment for those who are new to retreats and/or yoga and meditation.
This retreat will allow you to unplug from stresses and responsibilities, from electronics and newsfeeds, and remember what is really important to you. You will get the time you need for introspection so that you can reset and come home to yourself. You’ll go deeper into your meditation practice and develop insights into how you can find ease in your mind, in your body, and in your daily life. You’ll also be part of a supportive and inclusive community of fellow spiritual seekers.
ABOUT ANDREA RUSSELL:
Andrea is an Ayurvedic health counselor, yoga & meditation teacher, and neurovascular therapist dedicated to helping individuals reclaim their health and vitality. She leads retreats locally and abroad.
ABOUT SHERYL LILKE
Sheryl is a psychotherapist and yoga teacher who has received lay ordination in the Soto Zen Buddhist tradition. In her work she weaves Western psychology, Buddhist philosophy, and holistic mindfulness and movement practices together to help individuals access their own inner wisdom and innate healing potential.
The retreat package includes two nights stay at the Christine Center, daily yoga & meditation classes, daily dharma talks, 6 nourishing vegetarian meals and personal support to deepen your practice.
RETREAT SCHEDULE
FRIDAY
3:30pm to 6:45pm | Arrival
5:30pm | Dinner
7pm to 8:30pm | Dharma talk & meditation
SATURDAY
7:30am | Meditation
8am | Breakfast
9am to 10:30am | Dharma talk & meditation
10:30 to noon | Yoga practice
12:30pm | Lunch
1:30pm to 3pm | Free time
3pm to 5pm | Dharma talk & meditation
5:30pm | Dinner
7pm to 8pm | Meditation
SUNDAY
7:30am | Meditation
8am | Breakfast
9am to 10:30 am | Dharma talk & meditation
10:30am to noon | Yoga
12:30pm | Lunch
1:30pm| Depart
YOU’LL LEAVE
-feeling rested and restored
-remembering what is meaningful and important in your life
-with a deeper understanding of meditation practice
-with tools for calming the mind and finding ease in the body
-having connected with fellow spiritual travelers
OTHER THINGS TO EXPECT
Accommodations are not luxurious at The Christine Center, but the price reflects that and the setting is beautiful. You’ll be in a wooded wetland just far enough north of Madison to
feel like you’re out of the city and in nature. The retreat is an introduction to noble silence and although periods of silence will be observed, a depth of instruction will be offered.
REFUND POLICY
Refunds up to two weeks prior to retreat will be honored. After March 1st, no refunds will be made. You may find another participant to take your place in the retreat or if there is a wait list and your spot can be filled, then reimbursement may be possible.
TRAVEL + ARRIVAL INFORMATION
Please plan to arrive at The Christine Center between 3:30-6:45 pm on Friday, March 13th. A welcome dinner is served at 5:30 pm and the first dharma talk begins on at 7 pm. On Sunday, March 15th, class ends at noon with a departure lunch at 12:30 pm. If you would like to also stay Sunday night, additional reservations can be made through the Christine Center.
The Christine Center is nestled on 125 acres of tranquil woodlands in north central Wisconsin, located at W8303 Mann Road in Willard. Traveling by car is about a 2.5-3 hour drive from Madison.
*Please bring a yoga mat, yoga strap, & meditation cushion.
**All participant information must be complete to secure your retreat registration. Please fill out the registration application in its entirety.
MEALS
The Christine Center emphasizes natural foods and meals made from scratch. The food on their tables has a sense of inner spiritual nourishment in harmony with the land.
Many of the vegetables, fruits, breads, honey, maple syrup, and eggs served are from The Christine Center’s own organic gardens and from local farmers. Their cooks bring unique creativity and style to preparing nurturing dishes with these ingredients.
Six vegetarian meals are included. Coffee/tea and fruit are always available. Additional special dietary needs can be accommodated upon advance request.
The Christine Center offers four kinds of modest accommodations, including: both modern and rustic hermitages that are unique and simple, guest house rooms, and tent camping spots. Both single, double, and triple occupancy are available.
All hermitages have electricity. The modern hermitages have gas or electric heat, a bathroom with a shower, and a furnished kitchenette. Rustic hermitages have gas or wood stoves for heating and a Porta Potti.
Guest house rooms have private bathrooms, skylights, and in-floor radiant heating. A handicapped accessible room is available.
Several areas are set aside for tent camping. For campers and rustic hermitage guests there is a modern, beautiful bathroom facility nearby, which has separate women’s and men’s sections.
Main building guest rooms are in the main building, have bathrooms and skylights.
Main building single guest rooms are in the main building, have bathrooms and skylights.
Single guest rooms are within a home, a short walk from the main building. These private rooms share an onsite bathroom with 2-4 other guests. There are rooms reserved for female guests in the home where the sisters of the Christine Center also live as well as rooms in a separate house reserved for men. **WOMEN'S ROOMS ARE SOLD OUT**
Rustic hermitages have electricity and a porta-potty. A shared modern bathroom facility is in walking distance. **The one remaining room is shared with a women, and is for a woman.
Modern Hermitages have electricity, a bathroom and a furnished kitchenette. **The one hermitage remaining is for a male gendered individual, roomed with a male gender individual.
Modern hermitages have electricity, a bathroom and a furnished kitchenette.
Rustic hermitages have electricity and a porta-potty. A shared modern bathroom facility is in walking distance.
Camping several areas are set aside for tent and camper camping. A shared modern bathroom facility is in walking distance.
The commuter package is for those that live close by and includes all meals though no lodging.