Exploring the 2023 five wisdom energies retreat

This is a time of exploration and reflection in Shambhala. We are exploring new forms of administration, of teaching and learning. That creative approach was wonderfully illustrated in our retreat on the Five Wisdom Energies led by Holly Gayley and Rick Merrill.  So I decided to get creative myself and ask for feedback from participants using the framework of the Five Buddha Families. This blog post summarizes participant feedback with the intention of giving the reader a glimpse into Shambhala retreats, Portland Shambhala, and Shambhala in general.  (Of course, not all retreats are the same and Shambhala is and always has been evolving.)

We sat, of course.  We also enjoyed silence, stimulating teachings, imaginative movement, and one another’s company.  

Over the course of the 5 days, we built a mandala of flowers and objects that we brought representing the 5 Wisdom Energies.

The retreat facilitated the development of personal relationships and bonds between participants, enhancing their sense of belonging.

We have found that follow-up surveys help us to understand if and how we reached people, their reflection on insights they gained, and suggestions for improvement. The questions were based on the five Buddha families, or 5 wisdoms, which were the theme of the week-long retreat. We invited participants to answer the following questions:

  • Buddha: How are you now?
  • Ratna: What did you get from the retreat?  Was it worthwhile?
  • Padma: What advice would you give to someone who is considering participating in a similar retreat?
  • Karma: Going forward, what intentions, if any, could you share regarding your meditation, study, or action in our world?
  • Vajra: What observations can you share about making a future program better? Or warnings about how to prevent it from being worse?
  • What do you think of this as a program evaluation questionnaire?

 

For each of the five wisdom energies presented in the retreat, here are the question that we asked, an overall summary of responses, and direct quotes from participants that were representative.

Buddha: the wisdom of all-accommodating space

Question: How are you now?

Many people commented on the influence of the retreat on their continuing sense of well-being and perspective toward life. Some examples are:

  • Good.
  • I’m exploring everything with a new lens.
  • I’m good. Still reflective and integrating the week.
  • I am rejuvenated after spending 5 days with Holly, Rick and our group of participants.

 

Ratna: the wisdom of equanimity

Question: What did you get from the retreat?  Was it worthwhile?

Participants consistently mentioned themes like connection, inspiration, a sense of community and the relevance of applying teachings from the retreat. The integration of movement with teachings was highlighted as a particularly effective aspect (for the in-person participants; not so much for the online participants).  Feelings of frustration and agitation suggested a complex and authentic engagement with the retreat.

  • Definitely! I felt enriched and grounded after the retreat
  • Connection. Inspiration. Frustration. Agitation. Illumination. Renewal.
  • I appreciated that the subjects were offered as a way of contacting oneself in a new context.
  • I gained much I didn’t know to expect, which has been enriching.
  • Always felt safe. 

Padma: the wisdom of discriminating awareness

Question: What advice would you give to someone who is considering participating in a similar retreat?

Participants give a strong endorsement to the format. A common theme is the encouragement to be open, flexible, and fully engaged. Participants suggest embracing the retreat with an open heart and mind, and being prepared to immerse oneself fully in the experience.

Many responses underscore the enriching and uplifting nature of the retreat. They highlight the blend of meditation, discussion, and experiential activities as key to the retreat’s impact. The emphasis on safety and the quality of the teachers also stands out.

 

  • Listen with ears open . . . there will always be something new to learn and practice. 
  • I expect, in retreat, far more silence and guided meditation, more space to settle and listen deeply within. This was more of a workshop.
  • Wholesome yet authentic, heartfelt, meaningful experience.
  • Online retreats are a viable alternative. 

Karma: the wisdom of all-accomplishing action

Question: Going forward, what intentions, if any, could you share regarding your meditation, study, or action in our world?

There emerged a determination to contribute positively, whether through mentoring, volunteering, or being more mindful of one’s impact on the world. Participants felt that the teachers presented a way to see the connection between personal practice, open heart and societal engagement. Participants felt like they got it. Some examples:

  • Intention – mentor a teen.  
  • To cultivate more mindfulness in my life.
  • I’ve had a very guarded heart most of my life. Why not spend the last little while being open?
  • There are so many great opportunities to study, practice and to be of benefit to others in these difficult times.

Vajra: the wisdom of mirror-like wisdom

Question: What observations can you share about making a future program better? Or warnings about how to prevent it from being worse?

People had a lot to say here. Participants appreciated the mix of meditation, teaching, and activities but also expressed a desire for more meditation time, more specific activities for remote attendees, and the incorporation of music and art. Balancing sitting meditation with movement and providing diverse activities can cater to a wider range of preferences. 

People engaged with the retreat content, the format, the questionnaire, and there were a lot of thoughts about how to improve or deepen the online experience. Examples:

  • The teachers modeled making collective healing work intentional for our times, were open about use and abuse of power.
  • I would add visual representations of the Buddha Families. 
  • Come up with alternative activities for online participants when interactive movements were happening in person, such as writing a haiku around feelings generated by watching. 
  • . . . maybe have them do art while the in-person group does the movement. Add music for movement or contemplation.
  • More sitting.
  • Would prefer shorter lunch break and ending earlier. 

 

Question: What do you think of this as a program evaluation questionnaire?

  

Most of the participants completed the evaluation form.  While some expressed a lack of enthusiasm for it, many respondents found the questionnaire to be fun, interesting, and a departure from standard evaluation questions. This suggests that the questionnaire was successful in engaging participants in a meaningful way and in capturing their experiences effectively. Some examples:

  • I like it. Not just the standard rate from 1-10. 
  • Kinda fun … it grew on me!
  • Weird.  Work.  
  • I am not that crazy about this questionnaire.  
  • I think it’s creative.

 

Online considerations

While online participation increases accessibility for some, it also requires considering the comfort and convenience of engaging from home.  Supporting a hybrid format takes equipment, experienced staff, attention, and skill.  And effort.

There was a need for better translation of in-person activities to the virtual format.  Some online participants reported confusion or a lack of clear instructions, highlighting the need for better communication and guidance tailored to the virtual environment.

Online participants, in particular, felt that the movement exercises were not always well-translated or inclusive for the virtual format. Other activities were suggested for the online participants, such as writing haikus, or making art or music.

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