Street Retreat

Plunging on a Street Retreat is a rare and unique opportunity to blow your mind. Life doesn't open in too many ways for us to get outside of our habitual routines and ideas about ourselves and who we think we are. The streets will take you on an adventure that will open up vast new spaces for your habitation, in harmony not only with the homeless but with all beings. Prepare to be amazed.

- Grover Genro Gauntt - Street Retreat Leader

"When we go...to bear witness to life on the streets, we're offering ourselves. Not blankets, not food, not clothes, just ourselves."

– from Bearing Witness by Bernie Glassman

On Bernie’s 55th birthday in January 1994, he led the first street retreat in Washington D.C., contemplating the question of what to do to serve those rejected by society, those in poverty and those with AIDS.  Upon returning home, he discussed his vision of a container for people wanting to do spiritually-based social engagement with his late wife, Sensei Sandra Jishu Holmes.  They decided to develop the Zen Peacemaker Order, a religious order with a strong social action component that would bear witness on the streets, at sites of atrocity, and meet the troubles of the world.

 

Street Retreat participants spend the week on the street, begging for money, finding food, shelter, and bathrooms. In doing this they are given a powerful opportunity to reflect on themselves and others.  By spending this time on the street, participants come closer to the lives of those who live on the streets, reflect on giving and impermanence, and recognize the humanity all people share.

All retreats share some features: participants will be together most of the time, breaking into smaller groups for short periods during the day, always secured by buddies; the full group gathers twice a day for meditation, the Gate of Sweet Nectar liturgy, and sharing circles using the Way of Council; nights are spent together as a group.

From ‘Plunges,’ spring many other practice forms, including the Bearing Witness retreats in Auschwitz-Birkenau, Rwanda, Bosnia-Herzegovina, and the Native American plunges.

Street retreats have been conducted in many cities, from Rio de Janeiro to Jerusalem, from Paris to Piraeus. Sometimes they are coupled with a theme, such as bearing witness to refugees or tracking the path of arms and wars.

“I want to figure out how to learn from those who have suffered in a certain way, even though I can’t fully enter that realm. So we go on the streets. I know we aren’t homeless and I make that quite clear. At the same time those who came will experience something that is closer to that world than those who haven’t been there. This is the meaning of ‘bearing witness.’ It’s like entering a church knowing you’re not God or the priest. But you will experience something different from someone who stays out of the church or someone who is just hired to fix the roof.”

– Bernie Glassman (1999 interview)

  • Do not shave or wash your hair for five days before the retreat. This way the retreat experience begins before leaving home.
  • Besides the clothes you are wearing bring only an empty bag (shopping, plastic) or small, not-new day pack for collecting food from shelters. Women may bring one change of underwear and women’s hygiene products. Wear old clothes, as many layers as you feel appropriate for the time of year. Bring or wear a light blanket that will roll up.
  • Bring a poncho or some kind of rain gear, preferably something old or makeshift.
  • Wear good, but not new, walking shoes. The retreat involves a great deal of walking.
  • Bring one piece of photo ID only, your driver’s license or a state ID.
  • Do not bring any money, credit cards, illegal drugs, alcohol, weapons, or cellphones.
  • Do not wear any jewelry, including earrings and watches.
  • Bring no books, conveniences or personal items like toothbrushes.
  • Prescription medications are fine.
  • Bring a plastic water bottle if you like, or grab one from a trash can.
  • Participants will sleep on the streets and avoid shelters in order to preserve beds for those in need.

Registration fees and how they are used vary.  Usually, most of the fee is donated to homeless services that supported participants during the retreat, with a portion offered to the retreat’s guiding teacher.  Sometimes participants are encouraged or required to raise the money for their registration fee by asking for support from friends, family, and associates, so begging can start right from the beginning.  In the Zen Peacemakers tradition this kind of begging is called Mala practice, since the practitioner “wears” the support of everyone who donated to their cause like a mala necklace.  When doing a mala you explain to your supporters your reasons for attending a Street Retreat, and are encouraged to report back to them afterwards as a way of returning their gift.  Mala practitioners are often surprised at the messages and support they get.  You can learn more about Mala Practice here.

Street Retreats are offered by recognized leaders and ZPI affiliate groups.
Visit our members’ site for a list of all coming events.

To learn more about bearing witness to homelessness, read Bearing Witness: A Zen Master’s Lessons on Living a Life That Matters by Bernie Glassman.