Borisa is very isolated on the mountain. It is important to bring everything in the list and what you might need, there’s no shops were to find what you don’t bring.

• Sleeping bag or sheets.
• Alarm clock (use of mobile phones is not permitted during retreats).
• Lantern (+ batteries).
• Towel, toiletries (gel, shampoo, etc. All Zen Center discharges go directly to nature, so we encourage you to use environmentally friendly products).
• Kit of basic medicines that you may need (cough, cold…), insect repellent, sunscreen, antihistamines (if you are allergic to animal hair, plants, dust…), etc.
• Slippers and mountain shoes.
• Clothing comfortable for meditation (discreet and neutral colors).
• Clothing suitable for the season of the year (in the mountains the weather can vary a lot from day to day, and be cold).
• If you have precepts, please bring your short/long formal robe and kasa.
• In the Dharma room, socks are always worn.
• We function with solar panels, so the use of hair dryers, irons, etc. is not allowed. Please use electricity and water consciously.

Accommodation is in simple, shared rooms, sleeping on the floor with mattresses.

All meals are vegetarian (it is not possible to meet all the special dietary needs of each participant, if you have any intolerance inform us when making your registration for the retreat).

In Borisa there is no telephone or Wifi, and mobile signal is not guaranteed. Cell phones, personal computers, tablets and any other personal devices are not permitted during retreats. One of the charms of the Zen Center is the freedom that allows from the cell phone, email and Internet access.

In case of emergency, Zen Center can be contact (only WhatsApp or sms) on the phone +34 655 033 018

Everyone participates fully in the schedule. If you are sick or have an emergency that prevents you from attending any part of the schedule, please notify the Head Dharma Teacher.

• 5.00h Wake up
• 5.15h 108 bows
• 5.45h Morning Chanting
• 6.40h Meditation (2x 30 min)
• 8h Breakfast
• 9h Work period
• 10.20h Break
• 11h Meditation (3 x 30 min)
• 13h Lunch
• 15h Walk outside
• 15.50h Meditation (1 x 1h)
• 17h Dinner
• 18.30h Evening Chanting
• 19.30h Meditation (2 x 30 min)
• 20.45h Four Great Vows
• 22.00h Silence

The retreat ends the last day after lunch.

All participants are expected to follow the following rules and maintain the harmony of the community during the time of retreat.

1. The retreat is done in silence. Zen Master Seung Sahn said: “Silence is better than holiness.” Bodhidharma sat silently in Sorim for nine years. Silence deepens our practice, and it benefits us and others. If your work does not require you to speak, keeping silence will help.

2. Arrive on time for all practice sessions, Dharma talks and meals. Always go to the Dharma room on time when you hear the five-minute moktak. Do not enter or leave the Dharma room during meditation or singing, except to go to or return from an interview.

3. Walking meditation is the continuation of sitting meditation. You can leave the Dharma room during walking meditation when necessary. When you reenter the Dharma room, do it quietly in your proper place on the line.

4. Everyone should attend all practice sessions, including meals and the work period. If you are ill and unable to attend, please notify the Head Dharma Teacher (HDT) before the practice session you are about to miss.

5. Please do not move during meditation. If you are sleepy or your legs hurt, please make a small bow and stand behind your cushion.

6. Mobile phones, personal computers or any communication equipment may not be used during the retreat.​ All outside communications are suspended for the duration of the retreat and there will be no wifi service in the Zen Center. In case of an emergency, notify the HDT.

7. The HDT will control the opening and closing of the windows and the lights of the Dharma room. If you have a problem or request, tell the HDT.

8. Do not wear brightly colored clothing during the retreat. Do not wear hats in the Dharma room.

9. Smoking is not allowed in the Zen Center, please go to the designated area for it.

10. Please do not read personal books during the retreat, only the books and magazines provided by the Zen Center library. Read them during breaks and put them back on the shelf.

11. Everyone will have a task to do every day during the work period, especially clean the temple and work in the kitchen. The work period is part of the formal practice. Please do the assigned work with mindfulness.

12. If you have any health problems or special dietary needs, please notify the temple in advance. (All meals are vegetarian, it is not possible to meet the special dietary needs of each participant).

13. If any participant breaks any of the above rules, they will be asked to leave the retreat.

To formalize your registration, please make the payment using one of the following options:

• Paypal: boricentrozen@hotmail.com

Using PayPal may incur additional costs for us (commissions) which must be paid upon arrival. Thank you for your understanding!

• Bank transfer:
  • Bori Zen Center Association (CaixaBank)
  • IBAN: ES26 2100 0539 7201 0050 3923
• You can also pay in cash at the Zen Center.

Remember to include your name in the concept of the transfer and refer to the retreat, for example: June retreat Mery Johanson.

Once the transfer has been made, remember to send an email to boricentrozen@hotmail.com with proof of payment.

• You can also pay in cash at the Zen Center.

Bori Sa (Alta Garrotxa, Girona) is 160 km from Barcelona (2.5 hours by car) and 22 km from the nearest town, Tortellà (45 minutes by car).

• If you do not have your own means of transport, consult the transport options with the Zen Center BEFORE buying any plane ticket, etc.
• Please, when it comes to organizing your trip keep in mind that it takes several hours to arrive to Borisa and bus schedules are limited.
• We can not guarantee the last stretch of transport (Argelaguer-Borisa) if you arrive too late on the first day or leave too early on the last day.
• The retreat ends on the last day after lunch (around 4pm), if you do not have your own means of transport, keep this in mind when planning your return to Barcelona… (For example, it is necessary to book a flight most late possible in the night or even for the next day).
• Car: You can only reach Bori Sa by car. Wherever you come from, get to Tortellà and follow the instructions from there.
• Bus: (www.teisa-bus.com)
  • Route: Barcelona-Argelaguer
    • The bus stop is at Gran Via 658, Barcelona
    • Bus ticket price: 20€
• Pick up at the bus stop: There is no public transport from the bus stop to the Zen Center, if there were no cars available a pick-up can be organized (fee: 20€, to be shared among the occupants of the vehicle). The pick up is only made the day the retreat begins or ends. Please coordinate the pick up BEFORE you buy any plane ticket, etc.

1. (from Barcelona) A-7 motorway towards France, we go out in Girona Nord and continue always towards Olot, once past the deviations in Besalu, the road becomes a dual carriageway. We leave the motorway at exit marked Argelaguer / Tortella.
2. We pass through the village Argelaguer and turn to Tortella direction. After the traffic light at the entrance of Tortella, take (at the right hand) the road towards Sales de Llierca.
3. A km later, there is a curve where you will see the mailboxes of Sales village. You must continue on the same road you come from, that turns left. Always follow this road! If in doubt, always take the left fork, only when is asphalt (if the left fork is NOT paved, follow the road where is asphalt).
4. About 2 km from the mailboxes, the road stops to be paved and divides in two. We will follow the forest track on the left, which begins to rise. You know that you are going well if there is a sign saying not exceed 20 km/h (!).
5. From here you can follow the signs to “ORRI” the house before Puli (Bori Sa).
6. The track climbs gradually, is in good condition and has two asphalt sections. When the second stretch of asphalt ends, you will see on your right a house under construction (Monteia), you pass by the road in front of the house. You have already traveled about 7 km of track and there are still a few more. Go forward without leaving the track. About 3 km. of Monteia, and already in “Orri” property (you will pass a green signal that indicates it), the track bifurcates again.
7. We’ll go to the left, up, toward Sadernes-Bassegoda, along the stretch of concrete. Later the road plans and then comes back up, in a second section of concrete.
8. A 1 km of the second strecht of concrete, we’ll reach a crossroads, easily identifiable because there are several signs and red hydrant (for fire). We go straight and down.
9. The descent ends at another crossroads, in which we will continue to the left, starting the climb to the house of Puli.
10. The last house is Bori Sa.

We will meet and practice at Zoom. We will send you an email with the details of access to the retreat the night before starts. If you don’t have Zoom installed on the device, you can download it for free here. If you get confused with the schedule, don’t worry. Just go in and follow.

There will be a break for meals (see the schedule above). Use walking meditation to go to the bathroom and drink when necessary.

You will receive an invitation to the “virtual” interview room when it is your time. You must accept it to enter and when you finish you will return to the general room. In the interview you have the opportunity to ask any questions about the practice and/or your life and to work with Kong-ans.

Everyone participates fully in the schedule. If you are sick or have an emergency that prevents you from attending any part of the schedule, please notify the Head Dharma Teacher.

• 5.00h Wake up
• 5.15h 108 bows
• 5.45h Morning Chanting
• 6.40h Meditation (2x 30 min)
• 8h Breakfast
• 9h Work period
• 10.20h Break
• 11h Meditation (3 x 30 min)
• 13h Lunch
• 15h Walk outside
• 15.50h Meditation (1 x 1h)
• 17h Dinner
• 18.30h Evening Chanting
• 19.30h Meditation (2 x 30 min)
• 20.45h Four Great Vows
• 22.00h Silence

The retreat ends the last day after lunch.

Try to find a quiet place in your house where you can practice without interruptions. You can place a small table where you can put anything that inspires you to practice meditation, such as a statue of the Buddha, an image, a candle and/or incense. This is optional. Sit on a meditation cushion, if you have one, or on a cushion that allows you to be comfortable in the meditation position. Follow the directions on the microphone for meditation, changing, breaks, interviews, etc.
(If there is chants in the retreat, take the printed or downloaded chanting book to a convenient tablet or device to have on hand.)

You can participate with a phone or tablet, but a laptop is highly recommended because you will see a larger image and more participants at the same time.

All participants are expected to follow the rules and maintain the harmony of the community during the retreat time.

1. The retreat is done in silence. Zen Master Seung Sahn said, “Silence is better than holiness.” Bodhidharma sat silently in Sorim for nine years. Silence deepens our practice, and benefits us and others. If your job doesn’t require you to speak, keeping silence will help you.

2. Be on time for all practice sessions and Dharma talks. Always access the Dharma room online on time. Do not enter or leave the Dharma room during meditation or chanting, except for going to or returning from an interview or attend an unforeseen event.

3. Walking meditation is the continuation of sitting meditation. You can leave your physical space and the online Dharma room during walking meditation when necessary. When re-entering the Dharma room online, please do so with the microphone turned off.

4. Everyone must attend all practice sessions. If you are sick and cannot attend, please notify the Head Dharma Teacher (HDT) before the practice session that you have to miss.

5. If during meditation you are sleepy or your legs hurt, you can make a little bow and stand behind your cushion to continue the meditation.

6. During the retreat we recommend that you avoid communication with the outside whenever possible. Making phone calls, sending or receiving email, etc., will distract you from your meditative state.

7. The HDT will control the opening and closing of the Dharma room and access to the interview room. If you have any problem or request, tell HDT.

8. Do not wear brightly colored clothing or hats during the retreat.

9. The work period is part of the formal practice. Take advantage of it to perform tasks at home mindfully.

10. If a participant breaks any of the rules above, will be asked to leave the retreat.

If you want to do the retreat but your personal and / or family situation does not allow you to attend the entire day, contact us via e-mail.

To formalize your online retreat registration, please make the payment using one of the following options:

• Paypal: boricentrozen@hotmail.com
• Bank transfer:
  • Bori Zen Center Association (CaixaBank)
  • IBAN: ES26 2100 0539 7201 0050 3923

Remember to include your name in the concept of the transfer and refer to the retreat, for example: June retreat Mery Johanson.

Once the transfer has been made, remember to send an email to boricentrozen@hotmail.com with proof of payment.

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– Sutra del Cor + 4 Grans Vots (catalan)
– Heart Sutra + 4 Great Vows (English)
– Chanting Book
– Temple Rules