MINNESOTA-BASED MEDITATION AND RETREAT CENTER
Metta center
Activities
Retreats at Metta Medication Center are designed to foster your inner self and awareness.
Guided meditation
Throughout the retreat, you'll engage in daily guided meditation sessions led by experienced meditation instructors. These sessions will help you develop mindfulness, enhance your concentration, and discover the power of a tranquil mind.
Dharma talks
Learn from seasoned Buddhist teachers as they share their insights on the core principles of Buddhism, including the Four Noble Truths, the Eightfold Path, and the concept of impermanence. Gain a deeper understanding of how these teachings can be applied to your daily life.
mindful activities
Explore mindfulness in action through various activities, such as mindful walking, mindful eating, and mindful breathing exercises. These practical experiences will help you integrate mindfulness into your everyday routine.
Silent Contemplation
Embrace the power of silence as you partake in periods of silent contemplation. Silence provides a space for self-reflection, inner exploration, and a deeper connection to your own inner wisdom.
Mindful Movement
Complement your meditation practice with gentle movement sessions. Sessions may include yoga or TaiChi. These practices promote physical and mental well-being, enhancing your overall sense of balance and tranquility.
Liberation Through Insight
Discover the path to liberation as you delve into the practice of Vipassana meditation. Learn to observe your thoughts, emotions, and sensations with equanimity, leading to a deeper sense of freedom and self-realization.
Vegan Meals
Savor nourishing and delicious vegetarian meals that are not only healthy for the body but also in line with the principles of compassion and mindfulness.
Community and Support
Connect with like-minded individuals who are on their own journey of self-discovery. Share your experiences, insights, and challenges in a supportive and compassionate community.
Breathtaking Natural Setting
Immerse yourself in the serene and natural surroundings of our retreat center, providing the ideal backdrop for deepening your mindfulness practice.
Retreat Information
Read below for more information about retreats at Metta Meditation Center.
Location
Resting in the heart of Minnesota’s beauty, the Metta Meditation Retreat Center is located on the shores of Lake Elysian outside of Janesville, Minnesota. Our 37 acres of beautiful woodlands and prairies are just a 20-minute drive from Mankato and 1-hour drive from Minneapolis and Saint Paul. We welcome all people to our serene setting with gracious hospitality!
Google Maps has been known to take our guests to the main house rather than the center. When you arrive, you’ll pull into a gravel road on the highway, simply keep driving until you see a large yellow building on your left-hand side next to a large white cross. That is where the Center is.
retreats
We host meditation, mindfulness, and other wellness retreats for those seeking spiritual refuge, relaxation, and renewal. We offer day retreats, weekend retreats, and personalized retreats all year round. View our Retreats Page to view our upcoming events.
People of all faiths are welcome.
Accommodations
The retreat registration fee includes a room and meals. Rooms are dorm-style with shared bathrooms.
Your room assignment will be provided upon registration. While the accommodations are not luxurious, they are comfortable and well-suited for the retreat’s purpose. Each participant will have their own room, offering privacy and convenience. The center also provides a beautiful view of the lake, and the meditation hall is both quiet and spacious.
Bedrooms are easily accessible. If you have any specific requests or preferences, please let us know in advance.
Clothing
Try to bring comfortable clothing as you will be spending a lot of time conducting various types of meditation and mindfulness practices. Clothing worn during the retreat should cover the entire body (for example long pants are preferred over shorts). Short-sleeved shirts are acceptable though sleeveless shirts should be avoided.
Also, heavily scented perfumes/products should be avoided. There are members of the community who are sensitive to certain scents.
Toiletries
Bring your own soap and shower items. Try to avoid bringing heavily scented items and some individuals are sensitive to such products.
Food
Vegan breakfast and lunch and Dinner will be provided.
If you need to bring your own food for whatever reason, we encourage you to put your name on the food and place it in the fridge located on the main floor. We can show you where that is when you check-in.
Towels and sheets
Please keep in mind that we do not provide linens for your stay as we only have a few extras. We recommend bringing a set of twin sheets and some towels. If you forget these items, we can help you out by letting you borrow some of our extras.
reservations
We also offer private hermitage cabins nestled in the woodlands. You can reserve these unique cabins for your own personal retreat. Each equipped with a kitchen and bath, they are the perfect place for a peaceful solo or couples getaway. To learn more about our cozy cabins, see our page for your next personal retreat.
The Metta Meditation Center is a large, two-story building accommodating up to 40 guests. This space is ideal for gatherings of 10 or more people who need a retreat/workshop space, conference center, or meeting rooms. With its simple lakeside architecture, our center provides anything you may need for your next gathering including accommodations, amenities, and more. For more information about our retreat center please check out what we have for your next gathering.
Payment
After RSVP'ing for a retreat send your payment using the Donations link.
Dāna
Generosity
A customary practice at the end of a retreat is to consider the Buddhist practice of Dana, which includes making an additional financial donation. Your generous contribution enables us to continue sharing the teachings (one donation to the Teacher) and another donation to support the programs and operations of Triple Gem of the North and the Metta Meditation Center. Thank you for your kindness and support! Your generosity truly makes a difference.
history
The Metta Meditation Center is the ground that we practice and cultivate universal love for all living beings. The center was established by Franciscan nuns who showed us loving-kindness and friendliness throughout the years. This friendship grew before it was passed on to us in the summer of 2017.
The Metta Meditation Retreat Center is supported by gracious donations and with the help of volunteers from our community.