Bori Sa Retreat Center

A perfect place in deep nature to uncover your True Nature

HOW TO ARRIVE INFO & RULES SCHEDULE & RULES PHOTO & VIDEO

Arriving to Bori Sa

Bori Sa (Alta Garrotxa, Girona) is 160 km from Barcelona (2.5 hours by car) and 23 km from the nearest town, Argelaguer (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 around 4pm with informal lunch, 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. If you need it, you can stay one night at the Barcelona Zen Center free of charge).

CAR

Private transport
(from Barcelona)

1. A-7 motorway towards France
2. Exit at Girona Nord and continue towards Olot,
3. Once past the diversions in Besalu, the road becomes a dual carriageway; leave the motorway at exit marked Argelaguer / Tortella
4. From Tortella it is 40 minutes on forest trail

Download detailed instructions (pdf)

BUS

Bus

From Barcelona to Argelaguer

Teisa

-Please contact Zen Center to arrange transport from the village

-15€ x person and trip

-Pick ups will be only the day the retreat starts or ends

(From Barcelona Airport to the bus stop: take the L2 Line of RENFE which links the Terminal 2 of Barcelona airport with Passeig de Gracia train station. From there there is a 5 minutes walk to the bus stop [see map])

ON FOOT

Walk

From Tortella by «Camí dels Valencians»: 3 hours
(detailed instructions on request)

Download PDF Instructions
Arriving with a car

Map

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Note

Please, when organizing your trip, keep in mind that Borisa is 2.5 hours from Barcelona (1’45h of bus +40 minutes by car from the nearest town) and bus schedules are limited.

Contact

Phone: +34 655 033 018
Email: boricentrozen@hotmail.com
Address: Poli, Sales de Llierca, 17853, Alta Garrotxa (Girona)

General information

The retreats are silent, in our mountain Zen Center located in the middle of nature, in the incredible Natural Park of the Alta Garrotxa in the Pyrenees, the ideal place for a retreat. Participants follow an intensive schedule of sitting and walking meditation, chanting, prostrations and formal meals, in which one tries to keep alive the practice of attention at all times.

WHAT TO BRING

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.
Lantern (+ batteries).
Towel, toiletries (gel, shampoo, etc. All Zen Center discharges go directly to nature, so we encourage you to use environmentally friendly products).
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 consciously.

ACCOMODATION

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

FOOD

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).

CONNECTIVITY

In Borisa there is no telephone or Wifi, and mobile signal is not guaranteed. 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

RULES

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. During the retreat, communication with the outside will not be allowed. Making phone calls, sending or receiving email, etc. is not allowed during the retreat. Mobile phones, etc., can not be used. 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.

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 HDT in advance.

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

Contact

Phone: +34 655 033 018
Email: boricentrozen@hotmail.com
Address: Poli, Sales de Llierca, 17853, Alta Garrotxa (Girona)

Note

Please, when organizing your trip, keep in mind that Borisa is 2.5 hours from Barcelona (1’45h of bus +40 minutes by car from the nearest town) and bus schedules are limited.

Schedules

Regular practice schedule

Morning
Monday to Friday (6.00h to 8.00h)
6.00h: 108 bows
6.30h -7.00h: Chanting
7.00h – 8.00h: Meditation

Saturday and Sunday (7.00h to 8.30h)
7.00h: 108 bows
7.30h: Chanting
8.00h: Meditation

Evening
Monday to Sunday (19.30h to 20.40h)
19.30h – 20.00h: Chanting
20.00h – 20.40h: Meditation

Contribution: 3€ per session or see becoming a member

Retreat schedule

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.