RAM Mediation RETREAT RULES AND PARTICIPANT CONSENT

Retreat location: hotel Porto Resort, Adaži, Latvia

This document sets out the conditions of participation, safety rules and obligations of each participant.

By taking part in the retreat, the participant confirms that they have carefully read these rules, understand their meaning and accept them in full.

I confirm that I am taking part in the retreat voluntarily and consciously. The retreat will be a space of silence and contemplation for practicing meditation and training the mind. This format requires inner discipline, engagement, and respect for the shared structure of the retreat. Participants take part voluntarily, taking care of their own needs while respecting group discipline, the schedule, silence, and the practice space. I understand that the retreat is not psychotherapy, medical treatment, psychiatric care, or a rehabilitation program, and does not replace consultation with a doctor, psychiatrist, psychotherapist, or other qualified professional.

I confirm that, at the time of participating in the retreat, I do not have any acute mental, physical, or other health condition that could be harmful or unsafe for myself, other participants, the teachers, translators, volunteers, or organisers.
Participation in the retreat is not recommended and may not be possible in the following cases:

• acute psychotic states;
• schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or other severe psychiatric diagnoses in an unstable phase;
• severe depression with suicidal ideation;
• panic attacks in an acute phase;
• post-traumatic stress disorder in an unstable phase;
• active addiction to alcohol, drugs, or other psychoactive substances;
• a recent severe emotional crisis in which it is difficult to maintain contact with reality and basic stability;
• any condition in which prolonged silence, meditation, absence of phone use, and being outside one's usual environment may worsen one's wellbeing.

If I have, or have had, any mental health conditions, psychiatric hospitalisation, panic attacks, depression, traumatic experiences, addiction, use of psychiatric medication, or any other relevant health circumstances, I agree to inform the organisers in advance.

If I take medication, I agree to continue taking it according to my doctor's prescription and not to discontinue medication during the retreat without consulting a qualified specialist.

The organisers reserve the right to refuse participation or discontinue a participant's attendance if they determine that the participant's condition may be unsafe for the participant, the group, or the retreat space.

Throughout the entire retreat, the use of alcohol, narcotic substances, psychotropic substances and any other mind-altering substances is strictly prohibited.

It is prohibited to arrive at the retreat under the influence of alcohol, drugs or any other intoxicating substance, or in a state of withdrawal that may compromise the safety of the participant or the group.

Smoking, including electronic cigarettes, vapes, heated tobacco and any nicotine devices, is not permitted on the retreat grounds or during the entire programme.

The participant undertakes not to bring alcohol, drugs, tobacco products, vapes or any other smoking devices to the retreat.

Violation of this rule is grounds for immediate termination of participation without refund.

The retreat is held in a format of silence. The participant undertakes to observe external silence: not to speak with other participants, not to correspond with others and not to create unnecessary sound disturbance.

All organizational questions must be addressed only to the organizers in the established form, for example through a written note or during a specifically designated time.

The participant undertakes to maintain respectful silence in the rooms, practice hall, dining area, corridors and throughout the retreat grounds.

Silence does not mean isolation from help. In case of deterioration of physical or psychological well-being, anxiety, disorientation or any other serious condition, the participant must immediately contact the organizers.

During the retreat, the participant does not use a phone, computer, tablet, internet, social media, messengers, music, podcasts, films or other external sources of information.

For the duration of the retreat, the participant’s phone is either handed over to the organizers or kept switched off according to the rules announced on site.

Participants are advised to inform close relatives and other relevant persons in advance that contact with the participant during the retreat will be limited.

For emergencies, relatives may be given the organizers’ phone number: +371 28 357 521

Books, work materials and personal practices that are not part of the retreat programme are not used unless specifically permitted by the organizers.

The participant undertakes to follow the retreat schedule and to arrive on time for practices, teachings, meals and organizational meetings.

The participant shows respect toward Rinpoche, the teachers, the organizers, the venue staff and other participants.

Aggressive behavior, pressure on other participants, flirting, sexualized behavior, violation of personal boundaries, arguments, public confrontations and any actions that disturb the safety of the group are prohibited.

The participant treats the venue, equipment, rooms, practice hall and common spaces with care.

The participant is financially responsible for any damage caused to the property of the venue, organizers or other participants.

Meals during the retreat are organized according to the format of the programme. The participant must inform the organizers in advance about food allergies, food intolerances and any other important dietary restrictions.

It is not recommended to bring food that has not been agreed with the organizers, especially products with a strong smell, alcohol, energy drinks or substances that affect the state of consciousness.

If the participant takes medication prescribed by a doctor, they must bring a sufficient supply and take it according to the doctor’s instructions.

The organizers are not authorized to prescribe, discontinue or adjust the participant’s medication.

During the retreat, participants share a common space for practice, silence, and accommodation. In order to care for the group, and in consideration of possible allergies or heightened sensitivity to scents, participants are asked to refrain from using products with strong fragrances.

Participants are encouraged to choose neutral, fragrance-free personal care products, or products with a minimal scent.

Everything that happens with other participants during the retreat is confidential information.

The participant does not discuss the personal processes, behavior, condition or statements of other participants after the retreat without their direct consent.

Photo, video and audio recordings during the retreat are prohibited unless the organizers announce otherwise separately.

A place at the retreat is considered reserved once payment or prepayment has been made in accordance with the conditions set by the organisers.

In the event of cancellation before the start of the retreat, refund conditions depend on the cancellation date and the rules agreed upon in advance. After the retreat has begun, payments are generally non-refundable.

An exception may be made in cases of force majeure — unforeseen and unavoidable circumstances beyond the control of the participant or the organisers. Such circumstances may include serious illness, an emergency, cancellation of transport, natural disasters, government restrictions, or other circumstances that make participation objectively impossible. Each such case will be considered individually by the organisers.

If participation is discontinued after the start of the retreat due to a violation of the rules, the payment is non-refundable.

The participant confirms that they have read the retreat rules, understand them and take part voluntarily.

The participant confirms that they have provided the organizers with truthful information about their physical and psychological condition.

The participant assumes responsibility for their personal belongings, health, safety and the consequences of their participation in the retreat.

The participant releases Rinpoche, the teachers, the organizers and the venue from claims related to consequences arising from concealed health information, violation of the rules or the participant’s personal decision to take part in the retreat.

I confirm that I have carefully read the rules of participation in the Silence RAM Meditation Retreat with Gyetrul Jigme Rinpoche and Geneviève Hamelet on October 10–17, understand their meaning and undertake to comply with them in full.