Retreats at Prairie Farm

All public programs at Prairie Farm are cancelled due to the coronavirus.

Practice Periods at Prairie Farm

Please join a small group of community members for independent practice at Prairie Farm. Practice periods are open to anyone who has an independent meditation practice. For example, someone who has attended a course at Common Ground, has been coming regularly for 6 months or more, or has attended a half-day or daylong retreat. Contact the office with questions.

Please see these guidelines for practice periods at Prairie Farm.

CANCELLED: Practice Period with Mary Clark, assisted by Dave Redelman

Thursday evening, March 19 at 6:00pm – Sun, March 22 at 1:30pm

CANCELLED: Practice Period with Jane Reyer, assisted by Dave Redelman

Thursday evening, March 26 at 6:00pm – Sun, March 29 at 1:30pm

CANCELLED: Practice Period with Megan Brandeland and Danielle Sewell

Thursday evening, April 16 at 6:00pm – Sun, April 19 at 1:30pm

Practice Leaders

Mary Clark became a committed meditation practitioner after attending a heart-opening Thich Nhat Hanh retreat over ten years ago. Retreat practice continues to be a source of enhanced mindfulness, ease and joy for her. She has served as a practice lead at Prairie Farm, guides a community group for Mental Health practitioners and leads meditation at a local prison. She has taught Mindful Self-Compassion at the center and at the University of MN health service, where she works as a psychotherapist. She is continually grateful to the dharma for enabling her to translate her direct experience into understanding of universal wisdom and is committed to contributing to communities of growth and transformation.

Dave Redelman has practiced at Common Ground for six years with retreats from one day to fourteen days plus one six weeks totaling 160 days. His focus is on connecting and sustaining awareness centered in the body which is often a humbling experience. He volunteered during the renovation of the retreat center on work retreats with Cory and will be involved as practice leader and caretaker. In our retreats, may we investigate and develop our skillful means of solitary practice supported and energized within a kind and generous community. Dave volunteers and is on the building committee at Common Ground. He also enjoys volunteering at Seward Montessori School. Dave has canoed in the Boundary Waters for many years recently taking annual fall trips spent in retreat. After retiring from a forestry career, he lives in Minneapolis.

Important Information for Retreatants

Prior to your retreat at Prairie Farm, please review all the guidelines, checklists, and information below. This will provide you with most of what you will need to prepare for your retreat as well as give you an idea of what to expect, and what will be expected of you. After reviewing this information, please direct any questions to prairiefarm@commongroundmeditation.org.

Guidelines: The Practice Guidelines include the basic trainings and precepts, the daily retreat schedule, and information about noble silence, mindful service jobs, and other aspects of practice at Prairie Farm.

Before Arrival Checklist for Retreatants:Includes packing lists.

Directions: The property is located at E2572 1450th Ave, Prairie Farm, WI 54762. Please print the Map and Directions to take with you. Routing apps such as Google Maps may include roads that are challenging in poor conditions.

Feedback: After your retreat, please fill out the Feedback Form. We appreciate and carefully review feedback from all who have stayed at the retreat property.

Generosity: Support the continuation of this beautiful retreat facility! Click the donate button and be sure to type “Prairie Farm” in the “designate your gift” field that will appear on the final confirmation page.

Just Do It! (Meditation Instructions from Ajahn Chah)

The Practice of Leaving a Retreat: An article from Gil Fronsdal with suggestions on how to practice when leaving a retreat, and a talk and q&a with Deborah Ratner Helzer and Mark Nunberg.

* There isn’t reliable cell coverage out there, the number is: 715-455-4000

*If you can’t come on retreat, but still want to cook to support the retreatants, let gabe@commongroundmeditation.org know. Here’s a link to the CG recipe page for reference.