Beyond the Mirror: Opening to a Boundless Sense of Self

A DharmaPunx NYC Labor Day Retreat

Join us for an in-person retreat over Labor Day weekend as we turn our collective attention toward one of the most liberating inquiries of the Buddhist path: expanding our awareness past our vulnerable identity beliefs—our sense of feeling separate, unique, damaged or alone. This small sense of self is shaped by vulnerability, ongoing social comparison, feelings of ‘not keeping up with others’ or ‘falling behind.’

And yet, outside of this narrow identity there lies what we may call the “transcendent self”—a spacious awareness rooted in a sense of connectedness, belonging, fully arriving in one’s life. Freedom from suffering rests upon loosening the grip of the little self so that we can experience life more fully, with wisdom and kindness for all beings, including ourselves.

Rooted in meditation, Buddhist teachings, and somatic practice, this retreat invites us to examine the habitual narratives that shape our sense of identity and keep us tethered to cycles of fear, separation, and suffering (dukkha). Through cultivating awareness and compassion, we begin to see the self not as a solid entity, but as a collection of conditioned experiences. As these constructions soften, we gain access to a deeper, freer way of being.

The title Beyond the Mirror points to this path of ego transcendence—where the burdens of our personal history, fears, and fixations begin to fall away, replaced by a spacious presence and a relaxed, interconnected awareness. The illusion of separateness dissolves, and we begin to experience life from a transpersonal perspective—open, available, and unburdened.

This retreat will explore four core pathways to this freedom:

Meditation Practices – Sitting and walking practices that cultivate concentration, stillness, and insight, allowing the mind to rest in silence and clarity.

Relational Connection – Interpersonal practices that help dissolve the illusion of separateness by tuning into shared human experiences, emotions, and existential truths.

Somatic Awareness – Embodied practices, including yoga, breathwork, and Somatic Experiencing, that support nervous system regulation and help us drop the narrative of self by returning to the felt sense.

Skillful Reflection – Dharma teachings and cognitive tools that point the way toward freedom—not by fixing the self, but by seeing through it with wisdom and kindness.

This retreat is open to both new and experienced practitioners. Whether you are stepping onto the path for the first time or deepening a long-standing practice, you are warmly welcome. We will also offer yoga/movement as an option in this session.

Together, we’ll explore what becomes possible when we move beyond the mirror—and into the mystery of who we truly are.

This is an in-person retreat appropriate for both new and experienced practitioners.

TEACHERS

Josh Korda has been the guiding teacher of DharmaPunx NYC since 2005, and is a regular visiting teacher at Zen Care. He has a large Buddhist mentoring private practice and regularly authors pieces for Lion’s Roar, Tricycle and Buddhadharma. More information and links to his podcast at www.dharmapunxnyc.com

Kathy Cherry is a Somatic Experiencing® practitioner, Mindfulness & Meditation instructor and coach with over two decades of dedicated mindfulness practice in the Insight Meditation tradition. She combines Somatic Experiencing® with Mindfulness and Buddhist teachings to create an integrative approach that helps connect the intellect, body, and senses to facilitate health and regulation. Her style emphasizes embodiment, compassion, and practical wisdom both in meditation practice and in everyday life. Learn more at http://www.kathycherry.com/.

SCHOLARSHIPS

There are a limited number of partial scholarships available for this retreat. Please visit us here for more information, and to apply. Please do not sign up for the retreat if you have submitted an application. Please wait to hear from us. For questions, please contact us at: scholarships@garrisoninstitute.org.

COVID-19

The health and safety of our guests and staff is a top priority for the Garrison Institute. To attend a retreat or event all guests, teachers, and staff are required to self-test (at home antigen test is acceptable) within the 48-hour window prior to arriving for a retreat on site, and to bring a 2nd self-test kit when coming on site. We encourage everyone to self-monitor for symptoms of COVID-19 and other illnesses before your visit. If you experience symptoms or have a positive diagnosis, please notify us immediately at events@garrisoninstitute.org We will continue to follow any COVID-19 guidelines set forth by our local officials, New York State and the CDC.