Retreat Registration Procedure – Bhavana Society

Please follow the steps below to register for a retreat at the Bhavana Society. Note: Retreats listed on the Bhavana calendar open for registration exactly one month prior to the start date at 12:00 noon (EDT or EST, depending on the time of year).

Steps for Registration:

1. Visit our website: bhavanasociety.org
2. Click on the “Retreats And Events” tab.
3. Browse the list and select the retreat that is currently open for registration.
4. Click “Attending” – this will open the registration form.
5. Fill in your information as requested.
6. Once complete, click “Submit” to finalize your registration.

Please Read Carefully Before Registering for a Retreat

Bhavana Society retreats are offered free of charge through the generosity of our donors and volunteers. Because space is limited and many practitioners are waiting for the opportunity to attend, to ensure fairness to all practitioners and to help us serve everyone responsibly, please read the following information before registering for a retreat at the Bhavana Society.

1. Register Only If You Intend to Attend

Due to limited accommodations, each retreat can accommodate only 50 participants (25 women and 25 men). If you are not reasonably certain that you will be attending, please do not register.

2. Many Practitioners Are Waiting

Retreat registrations fill very quickly. Many sincere practitioners remain on our waiting list for months—and sometimes even years—hoping for an opportunity to participate. By reserving a place that you do not use, you prevent another person from benefiting from this rare opportunity.

3. Please Notify Us Immediately If You Must Cancel — At Least Two Weeks Before the Retreat Begins

If your plans change after you have registered, please notify the Bhavana Society at least two weeks before the retreat start date. This gives participants on the waiting list sufficient time to make travel arrangements and allows us to offer your place to another practitioner. Providing timely notice is an expression of mindfulness, consideration, and compassion toward others.

Unfortunately, some participants register but do not attend and do not notify us in advance. As a result, another deserving practitioner loses the opportunity to participate in the retreat, despite having waited patiently for an opening.

Your timely cancellation helps ensure that every available retreat space is used and demonstrates respect for fellow practitioners and for the generosity of our donors and volunteers.

4. Future Registrations

If you register for a retreat and do not attend without providing advance notice, your future retreat registrations may be given lower priority or may not be accepted. This policy is intended to ensure fairness for everyone seeking to attend.

5. Attend the Entire Retreat

Please register only if you are able to attend the entire retreat, as full participation is part of the retreat commitment and helps maintain the harmony and continuity of the practice.

6. Your Registration Has a Real Cost

All Bhavana Society retreats are offered completely free of charge. Accommodation, meals, and facilities are generously provided through the support of donors and volunteers.

To prepare for each retreat, we purchase, and stock fresh and dry food based on the number of registered participants. When someone fails to attend without notifying us in advance, those preparations cannot always be adjusted. In many cases, excess perishable food cannot be reused and must be discarded in accordance with local Health Department regulations. This results in unnecessary waste of food, volunteer effort, and donor resources.

We therefore ask that you register mindfully and honor your commitment once you have reserved a place.

A Request in the Spirit of the Dhamma

Please register only if you are reasonably certain that you can attend. If circumstances change, let us know as early as possible so another practitioner may benefit from your place.

Your mindfulness, honesty, and consideration for fellow practitioners help make these retreats possible for everyone.

Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.

With Metta,

Bhavana Society