SINGLES ONLY!
You are all no doubt aware that IMS is renovating the old Annex building that has been housing meditators for almost 20 years. What you may not know is a relatively late-breaking design decision: All the rooms in the new Annex will be single rooms.
At the moment, when IMS has a full retreat of 100 meditators, 54 of them are sharing a double room while only 46 are in single rooms. But because of all the new single rooms being added by the Annex renovation project, we will be able beginning next summer to house 66 yogis in single rooms, while only 34 will share space in double rooms during a full retreat. That’s an increase of 20 single rooms! IMS will be able to house 83 people in single rooms before thinking about doubling anybody up.
Some of you may be disappointed by all this–those who prefer the additional feeling of sangha that comes with rooming with another yogi, or who regard the subtle adjustments to each others’ habits and behaviors as a valuable part of the retreat experience. you will always have the option of requesting a double room, however, and will in most cases be assured of this request being granted.
And for those of you who prefer a single room when practicing on retreat at IMS, it may appear that you have ascended to a slightly higher deva realm than on your last retreat. Every new Annex room will have a window with blinds, a sink with hot and cold running water, individual heating control, a closet or wardrobe, a high ceiling and plenty of extra soundproofing so you will not hear your fellow-practitioners snoring next door. Many of the rooms will be long enough to allow for walking meditation.
WHAT TO EXPECT
The
Annex renovation project will begin January 6, 1995 and will be completed by July 1, 1995. Until the project is finished, everyone will be called upon to make some adjustments. The teachers, staff and board of directors of IMS have all agreed that it is better to have smaller, more crowded and less silent retreats for six months of Annex construction than to close down and have no retreats at all. Anybody coming on retreat at IMS during the first six month of 1995 will have to be aware of the following:
*The center will not be entirely silent. Most of the work on the Annex will be interior work, and will occur during a season when the windows will naturally be closed; but there will still be some background noise going on during working hours on weekdays.
*Almost all yogis will be in double rooms. With the Annex out of commission, IMS has only about 10 single rooms and 25 double rooms. Singles will only be given out to those with compelling need and most others will be in double rooms.
*Some dormitory-style housing will be available. There will be some beds set up in the lower walking room in order to give as many people as possible a chance to practice. These spaces will be comfortable, but will not have as much privacy as a room. The single rooms will be given out first, and then dormitory housing will be offered as an option.
*Courses will be smaller. Even with the dormitory space, we will not be able to accommodate a full 100 yogis. Please register early (but after December 1, 1994) if you want to get into a retreat, and please be understanding if it is full.
*Walking space will be tighter. With dorms set up in the lower walking room and the Annex walking room out of service, indoor walking space will be tighter than usual.
FUNDING THE PROJECT
Thank you all for your exceptional generosity in helping to fund this project! With your help, we were able to meet the large matching challenge grant offered by an anonymous foundation.
We still have raised only about half of the money needed for this project.
We are proceeding with construction anyway, with faith that the many supporters of IMS will continue to donate generously to the Building Fund. Please send in whatever you can to help out with the Annex renovation project.
