Risks of Retreat and Residential Training…

While attending a retreat or residency can be an incredibly powerful and positive experience, it can also be extremely challenging. In referring folks to practice environments, we will do our best to be transparent about the places we have been, the places that we have a reasonable confidence are safe and effective, and those that we would not recommend. This being said, there is no way that we can guarantee anybody will have a positive experience. Please read through the following waiver, which you must consent to receive a response to your advising inquiry.

Dharma Gates Advising Liability Waiver

As evidenced by my signature below, I agree to the following as a condition of my participation in Dharma Gates advising program:

  1. I understand and acknowledge that attending a retreat or residency opportunity at one of the centers recommended by Dharma Gates may involve inherent risks and hazards, including that of physical injury.

  2. I understand and acknowledge that silent, intensive meditation and other associated retreat activities may involve intense and/or unusual psychological, spiritual and emotional experiences of mind and body. I understand and acknowledge that these activities may pose risks to my psychological or emotional well-being.

  3. I understand and acknowledge that Dharma Gates is not a licensed provider of psychological care. I understand that I am responsible for my own psychological well-being. To the extent that I have any physical, mental or emotional disability that may be aggravated by my participation in retreats or monastic residency, I take responsibility for managing this by working with the retreat leaders or monastic context I am in to ensure that my practice is safe and effective for all parties involved.

  4. I understand and acknowledge that attending any opportunity recommended by Dharma Gates is purely voluntary, based on my own discretion, and with full knowledge of the risks involved. By agreeing to participate in such activities, I acknowledge that I hereby assume any and all risks that arise as a result of my participation. I hereby release Dharma Gates and its directors, employees, and agents from any and all liabilities for physical, mental, and/or other injuries to myself or my property. I hereby agree to indemnity and hold harmless Dharma Gates and its directors, employees, and agents of all liability, claims, suits, and damages for any physical, mental, and/or other injury to myself and my property, and for any physical, mental and/or other injury to others and their property caused by me as a result of the Dharma Gates Advising Program.

By checking the box on the Dharma Gates advising form indicating that I have read this waiver, to this waiver, I acknowledge that I have read this waiver carefully and fully understand its contents.