The practice of the street retreat is a "plunge" – the intentional placement of participants into a completely groundless situation in which anything could happen, while anchored by spiritual practice. Developed by Bernie Glassman Roshi, the Founder of Peacemaker International, the Street Retreat has been described as “an amazingly powerful spiritual practice.” Street Retreats have been held in many countries across Europe, and in various U.S. cities like New York, L.A., Seattle, Denver, D.C. and San Francisco.
Participants will live on the streets without money, bedding, change of clothing, books or watches. We will panhandle for bus fare, eat in soup kitchens and intimately and vividly come to see how our cocoons have insulated us from our groundlessness. We will meet three times a day for meditation practice and sharing in Wisdom Council, often joined by other homeless, giving us the opportunity to see ourselves as Other, to recognize our commonality, and to renounce habitual concepts that foster aversion, rejection and separation.
Street Retreat Logistics:
Depending on the number of participants, we will organize into small "packs" lead by designated pack leaders. We will all meet together twice a day for meditation, service and sharing. We will also meet together for sleeping at night. You can join us for as many days of the retreat you choose.
Do not shave, nor wash your hair for five days prior to the retreat. This will also start your street experience prior to leaving home.
Wear old clothes, as many layers as you feel appropriate for the time of year, and do not bring any change of clothes for the retreat, except for an extra pair of socks.
Wear good, but not new, walking shoes.
Bring one piece of Photo ID only, your Driver’s License or a State I.D. with your picture on it.
Do not bring any money (except for one-way bus fare from Boulder to Denver – approx. $3.85), illegal drugs, alcohol, weapons, or cell phones.
Do not wear any jewelry, including earrings and watches.
Besides the clothes you are wearing, bring only an empty bag (shopping, plastic) or small (not new) day pack for collecting food from shelters, etc. You should not bring any books, conveniences, etc.
Important: Please do bring some kind of rain gear, preferably something old or makeshift, nothing fancy. For the winter street retreat, also bring a sleeping bag, again not new in appearance.
Prior to the retreat, we will conduct an orientation for all those attending the retreat. You will meet your street cohorts and facilitators. We will discuss what to expect, but the unexpected will be the main teacher on the street. I am looking forward to living, sitting and sharing with you on the streets of Denver. Speaking for those of us who experienced previous Street Retreats, I want you to know that I consider this a real offering of the streets.
Denver SR Article Read an article by Fleet Maull about the Street Retreat 2005.
Peacemaker Institute •
The Peacemaker Institute is a division of Peacemaker Community USA, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. The Peacemaker Institute is located in Providence, Rhode Island.
