Preparing for your tent retreat at Vajrapani Institute

Is a Vajrapani tent retreat the right choice for you?
Be aware that this is a very ‘no frills’ option, for those wishing to do retreat in a blessed setting for an affordable price. Before you embark on tent retreat you need to take time to ask yourself whether you are willing and able to put up with basic living conditions. Please be honest with yourself and realistic. Essentially, you will be camping out in the woods. Although some enjoy this very much, and embrace the opportunity to integrate simple living conditions into their spiritual practice, for others it is simply too uncomfortable to be beneficial. Below is a check list designed to help you assess your own suitability:
Ask yourself:
- Am in a good state of physical and mental health?
- Do I enjoy camping?
- Am I prepared to bring all food and cooking supplies with me and cook for myself on a simple camping stove?
- Am I willing to make do without access to a refrigerator? (bring a food cooler with you, and we will provide you with access to ice packs)
- Am I OK around insects, and in this context am I able to commit to the Buddhist precept of ‘no killing’?
- Am I prepared to use an outhouse rather than a flush toilet?
- Am I willing to comply with a fire safety rule of no candles and no incense?
- Do I want to do a tent retreat of 2 weeks or longer? (The minimum stay is 2 weeks)

Do you run errands for retreaters?
No. Aside from the delivery of mixed vegetables and mixed fresh fruit (see above for more details), we do not have the resources to take on shopping errands for you during your stay, so please come prepared! Please also be aware that we are a half hour drive from the nearest (small) town, so in order not to disrupt your retreat you need to bring everything you need with you. (Obviously if there is some kind of pressing and unexpected need you require assistance with we will do our best to help.)
Do you provide a laundry service for ‘longer stay’ visitors?
We do not have washing machines at Vajrapani. However for those staying 2 weeks or longer we are happy to collect a bag of laundry from you and take it to the local ‘fluff and fold’ laundry in Boulder Creek. The charge is $15 per bag.
What do I need to bring with me in order to do a tent retreat?
You will be 100 per cent self sufficient: this means that (with the exception of the propane gas cooking stove, which we provide) you need to bring absolutely everything with you. The following list of suggestions is intended as a check list, to help you make your preparations. Although we cannot guarantee that the list is comprehensive, we’ve tried to include as much as we can think of!
Suggested clothes and equipment to bring:
- food cooler (please note you will not have access to refrigerated storage space, although we can keep you supplied with chilled ice packs for your cooler
- a water filter (we provide access to spring water but the water is high in minerals so you may wish to filter it);
- water bottle;
- all cooking and eating utensils - small pan with lids (x2), large spoon, sharp knife and chopping board, small bowls (x2) preferably plastic or metal, plates, fork, knife, spoon, can opener, cup, thermos, cooking oil, salt, pepper, water filter jug, silverware, pots and pans etc;
- flashlight/headlamp;
- lantern;
- pillow and pillow case;
- a plentiful supply of batteries;
- washing up tub;
- dish towels;
- dish soap;
- paper towels
- containers for food storage; zip lock bags;
- tent;
- sleeping bag;
- sleeping mat;
- camping chair;
- camping table;
- holy objects for your altar;
- towel;
- insect repellent;
- meditation cushion;
- yoga mat;
- sunscreen;
- sun hat;
- woolly hat for cooler night time temperatures;
- all associated camping gear;
- light cotton clothes for the day time;
- warmer clothes (night time temperature can be cool, even in summer);
- first aid kit;
- soap powder for hand washing clothes;
- bucket for hand washing clothes;
- twine and clothes pegs for drying clothes;
- toiletries, vitamins, aspirin etc;
- toilet paper and tissues;
- trash bags;
- hiking boots (we are situated adjacent to Castle Rock State Park)
What sort of food should I bring?*
Foods that perish slowly such as canned beans and soups, dried fruits, de-hydrated food, sports bars, trail mix, nut butters, oatmeal, nuts, instant rice, noodles, instant couscous, crackers, firmer vegetables and fruits such as celery, carrots, broccoli, apples and oranges. As food storage is an issue, try to buy items in individual meal size packs. Remember also to bring salt, pepper and cooking oil.
*the purpose of these suggestions is just to give you some ideas. Different people have widely different tastes and needs.
What kind of weather can I expect?
From early June to late September day time temperatures range between 70°F and 85°F , peaking in July and early August. Night time temperatures for the same period tend to be somewhere between 50°F and 60°F . but in a hot spell may be considerably higher. You are advised to bring a sleeping bag that can adapt to a range of temperatures. There tends to be very little rain in this region during the summer months.
Is there anything else I need to know?
It’s good to be aware that you will be sharing the forest with all sorts of wildlife, rangin from deer and raccoons to spiders, ants and mosquitoes. We advise you to bring a plentiful supply of insect repellent. Also, please be very careful about food storage during your stay (cleaning up all traces of food and storing food in well sealed containers) as otherwise the racoons and ants will waste no time in raiding your supplies!
Why
are our prices so affordable?
In an effort to create
financial accessibility to all, our prices are
calculated to cover only minimum expenses. Funds for
capital improvements must be found elsewhere. We greatly
appreciate additional donations toward your
accommodation. This not only helps us maintain our high
standards, but also helps keep our prices affordable so
that more people may enjoy access.
Click
this link for Transportation
Information
Vajrapani
Institute
P.O. Box 2130
Boulder Creek, California 95006 USA
(831) 338 6654 Fax
(831) 338-3666
e-mail: vajrapani@vajrapani.org
www.vajrapani.org
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