Cloud Mountain is a rural Spiritual Retreat Center located in Southwest Washington, approximately 2 1/2 hrs south of Seattle, Washington and 1 1/2 hours north of Portland, Oregon. Cloud Mountain was conceived and built with the goal of providing groups and individuals with an environment conducive to meditation and quiet contemplation or study.  In operation since 1984, Cloud Mountain offers facilities and accompanying support to all Buddhist traditions.

      Situated on five wooded acres, Cloud Mountain is a complex of several buildings surrounded by trees and connected by rock-lined paths.  There are two meditation halls, a teacher's cottage and a lodge that holds the kitchen, dining area, sitting room, staff quarters, office and library, a small lake, an organic garden and greenhouse, a fish pond and resident pets, including cats and goldfish. Black-tail deer are frequent visitors.

      The center is operated by a small, permanent staff, with occasional help from volunteers. Permanent staff earns room, board and a modest monthly stipend while exploring creative ways to integrate Buddhist meditation with daily activity. Those interested in working or volunteering at Cloud Mountain should contact the Cloud Mountain office at (360) 274-4859 or email:info@cloudmountain.org for information.

Accommodations: Cloud Mountain offers a mix of single, double and dormitory-style rooms. Guest rooms include electric lights, have single or bunk beds and small wardrobes. Toilets and hot shower facilities are in a separate building. There are toilets at several locations on the property.

Meals: Meals are vegetarian, with the main meal at midday. Tea, fruit and light snacks are available throughout the day.  Healthy, simple, well-balanced meals are served, and some dietary restrictions can be accommodated with advance notice.

Chores: Retreatants are asked to assist with daily chores such as chopping vegetables, washing dishes, sweeping floors, etc. This assistance helps keep the retreat fees low. At the end of each retreat, participants are asked to clean their own rooms and to help with final clean-up, which usually takes about half an hour to complete.

Arrival: Retreats begin in the evening of the first scheduled day. A confirmation letter will specify exact times. Upon arrival Retreatants check in, complete the registration process, pay any remaining fees, and move to an assigned room.  A light dinner will be served, followed by an orientation given by the teacher & Cloud Mountain staff. Retreatants should make effort to arrive prior to orientation, as the spirit and continuity of the retreat is greatly facilitated by starting together. In the event that late arrival is unavoidable, Retreatants should notify Cloud Mountain at (360)274-4859 or 1-888-465-9118.

Departure: Retreats end in the afternoon of the last scheduled day. Retreatants are asked to stay until the end; unless arrangements for partial attendance have been made. This consideration supports the spirit & continuity of the retreat & minimizes disruptions caused by the packing & departure activities while others are still in retreat.

Retreat Format: Retreats are conducted primarily in silence this offers a rare and precious opportunity to simplify one's daily routine, quiet the mind and cultivate an inward focus of attention. To facilitate this process Retreatants are expected to follow, with mindfulness and sincerity, the retreat schedule and guidelines established by teachers and staff. Retreat content is structured by the teacher, and usually includes sessions of sitting and walking meditation, discourses by the teacher and opportunities for questions.

What to bring to Cloud Mountain:  Bedding: a sleeping bag or sheets and blankets, and a pillow.  A mattress pad or extra sheet to cover the mattress is optional.  Comfortable clothing for variable weather. SW Washington can be cool and damp at any time of year. The buildings at Cloud Mountain are pleasant and well-insulated, but Retreatants will often be walking between them necessitating clothing and shoes appropriate for walking outdoors. This includes a warm sweater or jacket even in the summer, a raincoat or umbrella.  Personal toiletry items: towel. soap, shampoo, toothbrush, razor etc.  Flashlight and batteries for walking between buildings at night, meditation cushion or bench, a pad for beneath the cushion and a shawl for chilly mornings.  We also suggested a clock or watch.  Slippers: Shoes are not permitted in any of the buildings.  Slip-on shoes for easy removal before entering buildings.

What NOT to bring to Cloud Mountain: Pets, radios, alcohol, illegal drugs, candles or incense. Smoking is not permitted in any of the buildings.