Calendar of Retreats and Gatherings
May, 2013
Friday, May 3 – Sunday, May 5
With prerequisites
This weekend of strong silent sitting practice offers both Dharma Talks and face-to-face meetings (dokusan) for participants.
Friday, May 10 – Thursday, May 16
With prerequisites
In a relational meditation practice based on Vipassana Insight Meditation, the mind is invited to stillness and keen mindfulness as we engage in dialogue with others.
Friday, May 10 – Sunday, May 12
Open to the public
A silent, unstructured personal retreat for meditators with a developed practice and those seeking renewal in the serenity of a contemplative environment.
Friday, May 17 – Sunday, May 19
With prerequisites
A weekend of spiritual fellowship, dwelling on the Self-Realization teachings of meditation and concentration, and the art of living, as taught by Paramahansa Yogananda.
Sunday, May 19 – Friday, May 24
By invitation
Semi-Annual Country Director’s Conference
Monday, May 20 – Thursday, May 23
By invitation
Focusing on sacred texts, religious teachings, liturgical resources, and spiritual practices related to the environment.
Friday, May 24 – Monday, May 27
» Register Now
Open to the public
Renowned Tibetan Buddhist master Gelek Rimpoche uniquely shares his deep understanding of the profound and vast tradition of Tibetan Buddhism.
Tuesday, May 28 – Wednesday, May 29
With prerequisites
A gathering of researchers from the fields of biology, psychology, neuroscience, and contemplative science to investigate the contributions of contemplative practices to individual and community resilience.
Friday, May 31 – Saturday, June 1
Open to the public
A weekend of mindfulness training that cultivates and strengthens the innate capacities that enable us to lead with excellence.
Friday, May 31 – Monday, June 3
» Register Now
Open to the public
A special time for meditation, inspiration, celebration and consecration, centered around recitations from the Tibetan Buddhist tradition performed by the assembly of practitioners.
June, 2013
Friday, June 7 – Sunday, June 9
With prerequisites
Weekend retreat for Tao of Healing Students who wish to come together and bring their practice to a higher level.
Monday, June 10 – Wednesday, June 12
By invitation
A program seeking to translate science-based knowledge into new initiatives that reduce our energy and carbon footprints.
Saturday, June 15 – Friday, June 21
By invitation
An annual research initiative to advance collaborative research among scientists, contemplative scholars and contemplative practitioners, based on a process of inquiry and dialogue.
Saturday, June 22 – Thursday, June 27
» Register Now
Open to the public
An introduction to the foundations of Vajrayana Buddhism, including daily teachings, guided and individual meditations, and group discussion.
Friday, June 28 – Sunday, June 30
By invitation
A retreat for students to explore the role of mindfulness and/or meditation practice within an organizational setting.
July, 2013
Friday, July 5 – Sunday, July 7
» Register Now
Open to the public
An introductory weekend retreat designed for anyone who has ever wanted to explore loving kindness as a contemplative practice.
Friday, July 5 – Monday, July 8
Open to the public
Practices from the nondual Tantric tradition, incorporating quiet sitting, body and breath sensing, chanting and outdoor practices in a contemplative atmosphere.
Wednesday, July 10 – Sunday, July 14
With prerequisites
An intensive Zen retreat with psychoanalyst and Zen teacher Barry Magid, illuminating the barriers to "just sitting."
Friday, July 12 – Monday, July 15
With prerequisites
For Downtown Meditation Community members. Insight meditation allowing participants to experience a deepening of inner silence in a supportive environment.
Friday, July 12 – Friday, July 19
» Register Now
Open to the public
A week-long silent meditation retreat consisting of sitting and walking meditation interspersed with dharma talks, readings and interviews with the teachers.
Thursday, July 18 – Sunday, July 21
With prerequisites
A skills-based, secular program that empowers humanitarian aid workers to create healthy and vibrant workplaces, affirming their resilience and ability to thrive, even in the face of challenging or overwhelming experiences.
Saturday, July 20 – Sunday, July 28
Open to the public
A retreat in the Tibetan Buddhist practice of Dzogchen — the “Great Perfection.”
August, 2013
Friday, August 2 – Sunday, August 4
» Register Now
Open to the public
The Institute for the Study of Human Awareness is a non-profit organization founded for the purpose of providing educational materials and guidance to individuals and other organizations.
Friday, August 2 – Thursday, August 8
The purpose of this course is to empower individuals with the skills and confidence needed to share Partner Yoga with others while accelerating their own understanding and experience in the practice.
Friday, August 9 – Wednesday, August 14
» Register Now
Open to the public
Professional development training for teachers, promoting mindfulness through contemplative practices, helping teachers better manage students' and their own emotions.
Friday, August 16 – Thursday, August 22
Open to the public
Focusing teaches you to dip into the implicit treasures of your body wisdom to develop an "emotional muscle" to deal with difficult situations that consist of fear, stress and frustration.
Saturday, August 24 – Thursday, August 29
Open to the public
A retreat for both beginning and advanced practitioners to introduce us to the natural state of all-encompassing primordial wisdom.
September, 2013
Sunday, September 1 – Monday, September 9
By invitation
Seeking the answer within awakens the witness and learning to witness our own “melodrama” is our saving grace.
Friday, September 13 – Sunday, September 15
With prerequisites
This special weekend retreat is open to all Tao of Healing Students who wish to come together and bring their practice to a higher level.
Wednesday, September 18 – Friday, September 20
By invitation
A program of the Garrison Institute's Climate, Mind and Behavior Initiative.
Friday, September 20 – Thursday, September 26
» Register Now
Open to the public
A pioneering meditation retreat exploring the transformation of the aging process through practices involving the subtle body and reflection.
Friday, September 20 – Sunday, September 22
With prerequisites
Silent retreat emphasizing sitting and walking meditation, Dharma talks, chanting and private interviews with the teacher.
Friday, September 20 – Sunday, September 22
By invitation
A community retreat engaged in the tradition of Soto Zen Buddhism, committed to nurturing a Zen practice that serves as a source of wisdom and compassion.
Friday, September 27 – Monday, September 30
By invitation
Part of a nine-month program designed for launching and sustaining collaborative efforts between institutions dedicated to bringing the values of kindness, compassion and wakefulness into American society.
October, 2013
Thursday, October 3 – Sunday, October 6
Open to the public
A residential retreat with Kabir & Camille Helminski, plus special guest teachers. Combining spiritual practice (meditation, dhikr, salaah), spiritual discourse, music, poetry, and friendship.
Friday, October 11 – Monday, October 14
Open to the public
Renowned Tibetan Buddhist master Gelek Rimpoche uniquely shares his deep understanding of the profound and vast tradition of Tibetan Buddhism.
Thursday, October 17 – Sunday, October 20
Open to the public
Skills training in contemplative care: A four-day training retreat for healthcare professionals and volunteers with Koshin Paley Ellison, Robert Chodo Campbell and Trudi Jinpu Hirsch.
Friday, October 18 – Sunday, October 20
By invitation
A retreat to encourage students to deepen their curiosity and understanding of themselves through mindfulness and contemplative practices.
Wednesday, October 23 – Sunday, October 27
Open to the public
A retreat that invites leaders to explore mindfulness training and cultivate the ability to be focused, clear, creative, and compassionate in the midst of the complexity of today’s world.
Thursday, October 24 – Monday, October 28
» Register Now
Open to the public
Creative yoga, meditation, writing and photography workshops designed to help ground ourselves into the present moment and tap into the stream of joy that lives within us. A retreat for women.
November, 2013
Friday, November 1 – Thursday, November 7
With prerequisites
A retreat for certification candidates and other advanced Focusers to deepen their world/community connections, learn new skills, and launch or reinvigorate their Focusing practice.
Friday, November 1 – Sunday, November 3
Open to the public
A weekend of yoga, suitable for all levels of practice, with a strong meditative focus to support deep listening.
Friday, November 8 – Sunday, November 10
Open to the public
The weekend consists primarily of zazen (sitting meditation), kin-hin (walking meditation), dharma talks, samu (work practice) and the opportunity to meet privately with one of the two teachers.
Friday, November 8 – Sunday, November 10
With prerequisites
This weekend of strong silent sitting practice offers both Dharma Talks and face-to-face meetings (dokusan) for participants.
Friday, November 8 – Sunday, November 10
» Register Now
Open to the public
A silent, unstructured personal retreat for meditators with a developed practice and those seeking renewal in the serenity of a contemplative environment.
Monday, November 11 – Friday, November 15
With prerequisites
This intensive will focus on integrating new students into the Wisdom University community and will provide a context for their continuing study and personal development during their time with us.
Friday, November 15 – Sunday, November 17
With prerequisites
Annual symposium for educators, health professionals, researchers and policymakers to learn from one another in an environment that nurtures dialogue and advances evidence-based practice.
Thursday, November 21 – Sunday, November 24
Open to the public
An exploration of embodied awareness through movement lessons, shikantaza meditation practice, reflective conversations, walking meditation, and other guided awareness practices.
December, 2013
Sunday, December 1 – Thursday, December 5
Open to the public
Exploring the inner meaning of Hanukkah on a soul level and seeking an expansion of our connection to the light in a time of growing darkness and challenge. With mindfulness sitting, walking, and daily yoga.
Thursday, December 5 – Sunday, December 8
» Register Now
Open to the public
Exploring the Buddha’s teaching on kindness as a basis for developing a generous heart, integrity, steadiness of attention, and a lived experience of interdependence and community.
Thursday, December 26 – Wednesday, January 1
Open to the public
A spacious and quiet Zen retreat with meditation, daily dharma talks, interview with teachers, and time to rest and walk along the Hudson River.