One of the best ways we can nourish the lives our children is by helping them to discover their spiritual "roots" and "wings" -- the wisdom and compassion they have within that will come forth as skillful action in the world. At the urging of Sayadaw U Pandita, who had the experience of including young adults in meditation programs at his monastery in Burma, Steven and Michele began to operate adult retreats in 1989. There was some doubt at first that American teenagers would want or be able to meditate, but with each succeeding year the number of participants has grown. All 60 places in each retreat now fill quickly and some young people return year after year, even "graduating" to adult courses

The goal is to offer young adults the tools of meditation practice so that they can learn to relate to the experiences in their lives with as much wisdom and compassion as possible. We've seen that, with a lot of support, they can readily discover, develop and value their natural spirituality. The intensive mindfulness practice of nonjudgmental attention leads to and intimate self-knowledge and an atmosphere of trust wherein many of the young people experience truly close friendships for the first time. Young Adult Retreats will be essential part of our course offerings HIMC.