THE FOREST WAY VISION The Forest Way is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing retreat opportunities conducive to spiritual growth that is both balanced and integrated. To support this vision, we lead retreats nationally and internationally that focus on practicing insight meditation; cultivating the skillful emotions of loving-kindness, compassion, unselfish joy, and equanimity; and on learning ways to apply mindfulness to everyday life. We also offer long-term teacher mentoring programs for those interested in developing skills to share the Buddha's teachings. The Forest Way also provides opportunities to engage in projects designed to support a unified vision of spirituality in the world.

INSIGHT MEDITATION (VIPASSANA) Insight meditation retreats are offered on a year-round basis and vary in length, ranging from a weekend to one month. Retreats focus on each aspect of the four foundations of mindfulness: the mindful contemplation of the body, feelings, mind, and mental objects. Retreats for advanced students are held with small numbers of participants. Each retreatant has significant contact with a teacher, who can closely monitor his or her progress. There are also opportunities for self-retreats, in which students practice alone in hermitages, or simple cabins, while being supported by a teacher. This support can occur via email, phone, or in-person conferences.

CULTIVATING SKILLFUL EMOTIONS These retreats focus on developing the capacity to experience and express loving-kindness, compassion, sympathetic joy, and equanimity. Practices are introduced to open the heart to the depth of suffering inherent in human existence, create the desire to help alleviate this suffering in the world, and illuminate ways to bring these teachings into our daily lives.

THE APPLICATION OF MINDFULNESS Many retreatants seek guidance on how to bring the principles, practices, and insights gained during a retreat into their everyday lives. We offer retreats that assist students in this process of integration. Topics include: Cultivating True Intimacy, Mindfulness and Meaningful Work, and Every Moment Mindfulness.

TEACHER MENTORING Many experienced meditators wish to share the Buddha's teachings, but have not had formal training or an opportunity to be mentored by an experienced teacher. We offer teacher training courses as well as mentorship programs for those aspiring to offer "the gift that excels all others."