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Solitary Retreat Cabin Inventory for Karme Choling Meditation Retreat Center, Vermont

What We Provide

Solitary retreats take place in rustic, isolated cabins where you will more than likely not see anyone except perhaps a glimpse of the Retreat Master or the Retreat Assistant when they deliver supplies, or a meditation instructor if you have requested one to visit you.


Each cabin is outfitted with a compact kitchen with a propane stove for cooking, as well as dishes, cookware and eating utensils (you cook your own food in the cabin). There is a chair and a single bed with bedding. There is an outhouse near each cabin. Bathing facilities are small, dish-washing-sized tubs.

There is no electricity in our cabins – propane wall lamps provide the lighting. There is no running water; each cabin is equipped with a good supply of water in containers, a water dispenser, and draining sink. A double-insulated cooler, with ice packs we provide, acts as the refrigerator. In winter the refrigeration system will keep small quantities of food frozen; in summer, meat, cheese, etc. will keep for a few days.
The cabin is heated by a wood stove.


Shrines

  • The shrines in our cabins are very simple, appropriate for sitting practice.
  • You may bring your own pictures and shrine material and arrange the shrine according to your practice.
  • We can provide a prostration board upon request.
  • Each cabin has a cairn for Chakrasamvara practice.
  • Retreat kits for sadhana practice (Werma, Vajrayogini, Chakrasamvara) are available for $25. It’s good practice to reserve kits in advance, as we have a limited number.

A detailed description Cabin Inventory for each cabin is listed below.

A list of items you are responsible for bringing is in the document called What to Bring.

Cabin Inventory

Simple shrine set-up in Solitary Retreat Cabins at Karme Choling Meditation Retreat Center, Vermont

Shrine Supplies

  • lineage photographs
  • dharma text on shrine
  • daily chants booklet
  • Sadhana of Mahamudra chant
  • shrine table
  • water pitcher to fill shrine bowls
  • rice for shrine bowls
  • shrine offering bowls (9 large, 9 small)
  • incense bowl and sand
  • 2 small bowls for matches, spent matches
  • lhasang bowl and sand
  • 2 bowls for charcoal and juniper
  • 3 matching votive candle holders
  • Protector serkyem bowl for tea offering
  • candle snuffer with saucer

Cushions

  • practice table
  • gomden
  • zabuton
  • zafu
  • support cushion
Kitchen and cooking supplies that come in the Solitary Retreat Cabins at Karme Choling Meditation Retreat Center, Vermont

Kitchen and Cooking Supplies

  • two-burner gas stove
  • large & small cast-iron frying pans
  • 4 qt & 6 qt saucepans w/ lids
  • 2 potholders and hot pad or trivet
  • steamer
  • heat diffuser
  • cutting board
  • knives: bread, paring, utility
  • water dispenser for drinking water
  • salt & pepper, in glass shakers
  • large steel bowl
  • spatula, serving spoon, and ladle
  • insultated food cooler with ice packs
  • 2 food storage containers
  • dish drainer & drainboard (or tray)
  • measuring cup
  • funnel and small strainer
  • colander or large strainer
  • vegetable peeler & grater
  • can opener and bottle opener
  • tea kettle; tea pot; tea ball
  • drip coffee filter holder
  • plastic wrap
  • rubber gloves
  • paper napkins
  • compost bowl with lid
Dishes that come in the Solitary Retreat Cabins at Karme Choling Meditation Retreat Center, Vermont

Dishes - 2 of each

  • soup bowl
  • dinner & salad plate
  • glass
  • mug
  • fork
  • spoon
  • soup spoon
  • teaspoon
Household supplies that come with a Solitary Retreat Cabin at Karme Choling Meditation Retreat Center, Vermont

Household Supplies

  • bed w/foam mattress
  • mattress cover
  • propane lamps for lighting
  • Writing Supplies:
    • small plastic bags for notes
    • notepaper
    • pens/pencils
  • trash basket w/ lid
  • clothes hangers
  • clothesline
  • clothespins
  • small wall mirror
  • ashtray (for spent matches)
  • newspaper to start fires or to use under boots
  • flashlight with extra battery
  • chair &/or stool
  • scissors
Heating supplies that come with a Solitary Retreat Cabin at Karme Choling Meditation Retreat Center, Vermont

Heating Supplies

  • wood-burning stove
  • firewood
  • ash scoop
  • metal ash bucket
  • fire poker
  • work gloves
  • kindling
  • egg cartons & newspaper to start fires
  • fire extinguisher
  • Chimfex
Outdoor supplies that come with a Solitary Retreat Cabin at Karme Choling Meditation Retreat Center, Vermont

Outdoor Supplies

  • outhouse with toilet paper
  • bucket with ash or wood chips in outhouse
  • Firewood supply
  • kindling
  • two propane tanks
  • snow shovel
  • bucket with sand
  • garbage can (w/ bungee cord)
  • compost bin with secure lid

First Aid equipment:

  • First Aid booklet
  • tweezers
  • tick remover
  • band-aids
  • gauze pads
  • adhesive tape
  • antiseptic wound & burn ointment
  • aspirin
  • alcohol swabs

Cleaning tools:

  • rubber gloves
  • duster
  • inside broom or sweeper
  • outside broom
  • small tub to use as cleaning “bucket”
  • hand broom and dustpan
  • floor mop with microfiber pad (sweeper)
  • lint brush for meditation cushions
  • small tub for face washing/bathing
  • large lidded pot for top of wood stove
    (to heat water for cleaning and bathing)

Kitchen and Cleaning Supplies:

  • coffee filters
  • paper napkins
  • toilet paper rolls
  • extra flashlight battery
  • extra gas mantles
  • boxes of matches
  • egg cartons
  • newspaper
  • dish soap
  • plastic wrap
  • salt and pepper
  • baking soda
  • scouring powder
  • brass polish
  • roll of garbage bags
  • rags
  • new sponge
  • new green scrubbie
  • stainless steel scrubber
  • window cleaner
  • all-purpose cleaner

We do not supply: paper towels; chopsticks; soy sauce or tamari; honey; or sugar

Here is more information to help you plan:

What to BringFood Recommendations


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