3-Month Retreat, March 31 - June 30, 2024
Led by North Burn with assistant teachers

Held in a wilderness location in Northern California


The focus of the retreat is the direct practice of the Middle Way, which liberates the heart from suffering and brings great compassion.

Boundless Refuge aims to manifest the essence of the Buddha's teachings through our reimagining of the ancient 3-month “Rains Retreat”. This is a time to cultivate mindful awareness, samadhi, and liberative insight. The core practice is establishing the foundations of mindfulness which bring the Eightfold Path and Four Noble Truths to fruition. The teachings draw on all three turnings of the Wheel of Dharma weaving together direct and gradual methods, with primary textual grounding in the Satipatthana Sutta and the Heart Sutra. North’s main effort as a teacher is to help each person find and cultivate the particular method of meditation that is onward leading to them. His overarching style of teaching is direct pointing to Nirvana here-and-now, learning to recognize and trust our innate wakefulness. Embracing a mindset free from rigid views and traditions, we strive to present profound Dharma as a creative response to this unique time and place.

During the retreat, Noble Silence will be observed, fostering sense restraint and containment. Participants adhere to the traditional Eight Precepts and maintain shared standards of conduct. Regular teachings will be offered through morning instructions, individual meetings with teachers, occasional guided meditations, and daily dharma talks. Other supportive practices include daily reflection on aspiration and pranayama breathwork.

We believe that conviviality, harmony, and service within the sangha are integral to deep practice. To support this, regular chanting will be offered, and all retreatants will be assigned mindful service jobs. Participants will be strongly encouraged to follow the schedule together. The retreat will commence and conclude with intentional community building activities and shared work to set up and dismantle the space. Additionally, precept ceremonies based on the lunar cycle will be held, offering the Boundless Precepts, as well as special ceremonies to bless the retreat and the land it takes place on.

Our core mission is to guide beings to profound peace, freedom, and love, with the understanding that such deep inner transformation is a vital component towards a better world for all.

This experience is for those sincerely dedicated to awakening for the benefit of all beings.

  • Yogis are expected to adhere to the daily schedule unless necessary adjustments have been discussed with the teachers. Each yogi will have an approximately twenty minute practice meeting with North or a co-teacher every second day with an option to meet more frequently. Every five days, a complete day of silence will be observed with no chanting, instructions, meetings, or dharma talks. However, yogis are still expected to follow the schedule.

    4:30 AM - Wake up bell
    4:45 AM - Group walking meditation
    5:00 AM - Sitting meditation
    6:00 AM - Chanting and guided reflection on intention
    6:30 AM - Walking meditation
    7:00 AM - Breakfast
    8:30 AM - Morning instruction and sitting meditation
    9:15 AM - Walking meditation (interviews begin and continue until lunch)
    10:00 AM - Sitting meditation
    11:00 AM - Walking meditation
    11:45 AM - Sitting meditation
    12:00 PM - Lunch
    1:30 PM - Walking meditation
    2:00 PM - Sitting meditation and afternoon chanting
    3:00 PM - Walking meditation
    3:45 PM - Sitting meditation
    4:45 PM - Walking meditation
    5:30 PM - Tea
    6:00 PM - Sitting meditation
    7:00 PM - Walking meditation
    7:45 PM - Dharma talk and sitting meditation
    8:45 PM - Walking meditation
    9:30 PM - Sitting meditation
    10:00 PM - Chanting
    10:15 PM - Rest or further practice

  • The retreat will be held on a 40-acre property located several hours drive north of San Francisco, near the town of Willits, California on March 31 - June 30, 2024. The land is on a mountain surrounded by miles of wilderness sprawling down to the Pacific Ocean. There are two large hand built brick houses which will provide wonderful conditions for our retreat. Yogis will sleep either in a dormitory or in a Bell tent. There is space for around 15 yogis.


    The retreat is supported by several volunteer practice positions, including the head of the meditation hall, retreatant support, head cook, and caretakers. These roles will be undertaken by experienced practitioners who will also participate in the retreat.

    If you would like to learn more about this retreat than is written here, feel free to email our team and we will arrange a call.