About the Cabins

Tarpa's cabins are open to everyone as immersive learning environments where students study mindful living, reflective self-inquiry, and compassion under instructor guidance. Anyone interested in immersive education in mindful living and reflection may request to schedule one of the cabins, each with peaceful views of the rolling hills of Vershire, Vermont.

Educational Structure and Supervision

Retreat education involves systematic, progressive instruction tailored to each student's development. Students follow a structured daily schedule that includes periods of sitting meditation, walking meditation, contemplative reading, and community service. They meet regularly with qualified instructors who guide investigation through Socratic questioning rather than providing predetermined answers.

Between sessions, instructors assign specific contemplative "experiments" to conduct and readings to integrate experiential discoveries within broader frameworks. This ongoing guidance ensures students maintain clear investigation rather than drifting into vague mental states, and helps distinguish genuine insight from psychological confusion or self-deception.

Students engage in daily self-study using Tarpa's educational materials and curated resources, including readings in Buddhist philosophy and psychology, contemporary contemplative science research, and practical guidance on meditation techniques. This combination of guided instruction, independent study, and experiential practice creates a comprehensive educational experience. The entire day becomes an educational laboratory for developing mindfulness and compassion.

Sample Daily Schedule

Students follow a structured educational schedule adapted to individual needs and circumstances:

6:00-7:00 AM: Morning meditation session

7:00-8:00 AM: Breakfast and morning routine

8:00-10:00 AM: Self-study (assigned readings and materials)

10:00-12:00 PM: Meditation practice

12:00-1:00 PM: Lunch

1:00-2:00 PM: Community service hour

2:00-4:00 PM: Walking meditation and contemplative exercise

4:00-5:00 PM: Individual meeting with instructor (2-3x weekly) or continued practice

5:00-6:00 PM: Dinner preparation and meal

6:00-8:00 PM: Evening meditation and reflection

8:00 PM onward: Rest and personal time

This schedule is flexible and adapted based on each student's learning style, background, and educational goals. Instructors work with students to create individualized schedules that support effective learning while maintaining wellbeing.

Public Access

The cabins are available for public use by anyone interested in contemplative education, without restriction based on background, belief, experience, or financial circumstances. Educational recommendations about retreat duration (typically 10 to 120 days) are guidance, not requirements. Programs are accessible to all members of the public regardless of financial circumstances. While there are no tuition or fees, donations are welcome to cover maintenance and operational costs, ensuring these educational resources remain available to future students.

Community Engagement

As part of the retreat curriculum, students dedicate one hour per day to serving a community of their choice in person or online. This service becomes a laboratory for practicing the mindfulness and compassion students develop through formal contemplative training. The retreat is designed to help students develop enduring habits of focus, reflection, and compassion that extend beyond the retreat itself, contributing to family life, workplaces, and the welfare of society as a whole.

Getting Started

For those who wish to begin more gradually, Tarpa also offers online introductory courses, free and accessible to all. Whether through courses or retreats, Tarpa's programs are dedicated to helping students cultivate focus, reflection, and compassion as skills that support personal wellbeing and benefit society. See our mission or request to schedule a retreat.