The Garrison Institute

Practice Mindfulness: A Retreat for Learning or Deepening Meditation
2025-11-06 00:00 - 2025-11-09 00:00 (America/New_York) | In-Person, 14 Mary’s Way Route 9D, Garrison, NY, 10524, United States
Led by Mindfulness Teachers Jane and Derek Kolleeny

This retreat will focus on the practice of meditation, appealing to new meditators, those with a developed practice, and those simply seeking renewal in the serenity of a contemplative environment. The progression will be from the beginning to more advanced aspects of meditation including becoming friends with ourselves, skillfully working with distraction, dullness and emotions, and developing insight into self-limiting habitual patterns.
The program will consist of sitting and walking meditation, talks and guided meditations, group discussion. During breaks, one can walk our labyrinth and trails, or simply enjoy the contemplative setting.

******Join us for this unique opportunity*******

SCHOLARSHIPS

Please note that all scholarships have been issued for this gathering. We thank you for your interest and overwhelming response. We regret that we are not able to assist as more participants. We deeply appreciate your understanding.

TEACHERS

Jane Kolleeny, Westchester Meditation Center Senior Teacher, has been studying and practicing Buddhism since the early seventies when her teacher Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche arrived in Boulder, Colorado. A native Coloradan, she moved to New York in 1990 and taught classes at the New York Shambhala Center for many years, organizing and teaching at the Tuesday dharma gatherings for nine years. She serves as volunteer retreats and business development director at Garrison Institute.

Derek Kolleeny, Westchester Meditation Center Senior Teacher, became a student of Chogyam Trunpga, Rinpoche, in 1976. He earned a B.A. from Harvard College in the Comparative Study of World Religions focusing in Buddhism in 1982, and a MBA from Columbia Business School in 1989. He served as CFO for various companies and not-for-profit organizations for 25 years and is now a consultant for non-profit organizations specializing in organizational development and financial management. He currently teaches meditation and Buddhist philosophy at Westchester Meditation Center and Rime Shedra NYC.

ACCOMMODATIONS
There are Single, Double and Dorm (3 people) rooms available. Please note, there is no available guest elevator and all rooms are accessible by stairs—except for those reserved for the mobility-impaired on the first floor. Dorm rooms are located exclusively on the fourth floor. There are two communal bathrooms on each residential floor as well as a comfortable lounge with sofas and easy chairs, where tea and instant coffee are available. The lounges also are equipped with wireless, high-speed internet connection. There are several local hotels within driving distance from the Institute, for those who wish to stay off-site, as commuters. Onsite meals are included with commuter registrations.

If you are experiencing issues with our check-out cart loading, please click here to complete your transaction. We apologize for the inconvenience.

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 strongly encouraged 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 ask 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.

Building Workforce Resilience for Communities
2025-11-12 09:30 - 16:00 | NY
A Workshop for the Hudson Valley and Surrounding Regions
November 12, 2025 • 9:300 am –4:00 pm ET
at The Garrison Institute

A restorative day to renew capacity, deepen resilience, and strengthen regional networks for those working on the front lines of healthcare, climate, housing, food systems, and community regeneration.

APPLY NOW

Why Join

Refuel & Restore: Experience evidence-based practices for emotional regulation, renewal, and grounded purpose. Address burnout and compassion fatigue through mindfulness, reflection, and nature connection.
Learn & Connect: Build meaningful relationships with fellow changemakers across sectors. Practice peer-to-peer learning and mutual support that addresses the isolation often felt by those doing vital work.
Apply Locally: Explore resilience frameworks rooted in ecology and psychology. Translate insights into actionable strategies for healthcare workforce sustainability and regional climate adaptation in the Hudson Valley.

What You’ll Gain

A personal resilience practice you can sustain beyond the workshop
Connections with a regional network of practitioners committed to this work
Practical tools and strategies to bring back to your community
Renewed capacity and grounded purpose for your vital work
Organizational strategies for building resilient teams and mission-driven systems

Workshop Themes

How can cultivating resilience—through community connections, emotional regulation, and relationship with nature—support those on the front lines of critical work? This second workshop in an ongoing series brings together practitioners around two interdependent themes that recognize workforce wellbeing as foundational to all community resilience.

Healthcare Workforce Resilience

Clinical leaders join partners in food access, nutrition, and agriculture to explore the interconnected factors affecting health, healthcare access, and workforce sustainability. This roundtable addresses both structural challenges and personal capacities needed for sustained engagement in vital work.

Regional Climate Resilience

Voices from conservation and housing come together to explore how these sectors work in concert amid a changing climate. This roundtable acknowledges the complexity and urgency facing those working in climate adaptation, conservation, and housing development.

What We’ll Do

A workshop with integrated guided meditations and contemplative practices
Peer roundtables on Healthcare Workforce Resilience and Regional Climate Resilience
Facilitated small-group dialogue and collaborative inquiry
Interactive exercises using visual canvases to translate insights into near-term actions
Closing synthesis and integration

Following the workshop, you’ll receive a proceedings packet documenting the frameworks and insights that emerged, and we’ll publish a public summary of lessons learned.

Who Should Attend

This workshop is designed for practitioners from the Hudson Valley and surrounding regions working on the front lines of:

Healthcare and public health
Food access, nutrition, and agriculture
Conservation and climate adaptation
Housing and community development
Education and local government
Community organizing and regeneration

Especially relevant if you’re carrying the demands of frontline work and seeking resourcing, renewal, and connection with peers committed to resilience and regeneration.

FACILITATORS

Carlos Rodarte | Director, Contemplative-Based Resilience Program
Carlos brings over 20 years at the intersection of healthcare, technology, and contemplative practice to his role as Director of Contemplative-Based Resilience at the Garrison Institute. As a systems entrepreneur and mission-driven executive, he has built and led organizations applying business strategy to advance health equity and community wellbeing. His career has spanned management consulting with health systems and life-science companies, leading patient-focused data initiatives at PatientsLikeMe, and supporting community health centers, nonprofits, and startups to advance resilience-based care models and reduce burnout. He has published in peer-reviewed literature on patient-led research and spoken on health innovation nationally and internationally. Formally trained as an environmental scientist with a business background focused on social impact. A certified mindfulness mentor, he integrates contemplative approaches into daily life, translating evidence-based practices into practical tools for frontline practitioners, community organizers, and business leaders facing systemic pressures.

Isabel Sáez, LCSW | Psychotherapist and CBR Faculty
Isabel Sáez, LCSW is a Puerto Rican woman with Indigenous and mixed heritage. She has been a bilingual psychotherapist in private practice in New York City for the last 25 years, working to help individuals maintain emotional balance and mental health. Prior to becoming a therapist, she was immersed in the fields of theatre, dance-movement, and creative writing for 17 years and in the field of conflict resolution for nearly a decade. Currently, she serves on the faculty of the Garrison Institute’s Contemplative-Based Resilience Program. She continues to explore the intersection of creativity, play, and imagination as practices that nourish contemplation and emotional safety.

Stephen Posner, PhD | Director, Pathways to Planetary Health
Stephen leads efforts at the intersection of planetary health and community resilience. For 23 years, he has worked across sectors to convene scientists, policymakers, and practitioners to strengthen our capacity for resilience. Stephen currently serves as co-author of United by Nature, a multi-year initiative producing the first U.S. national assessment of lands, waters, and wildlife to show how nature shapes our lives – and how our decisions shape nature. He has co-authored more than 50 publications and technical reports related to biodiversity, economics, regenerative food systems, and science-policy dialogue. He also helped form a Federal Center of Excellence on climate impacts and launched an environmental justice research theme at the University of Vermont. Originally from Baltimore, Stephen received degrees in astrophysics and ecological economics. He works with communities who share a vision for resilience, compassion, and peacefulness in the face of planetary challenges.

DETAILS
Hosts: Garrison Institute’s Contemplative-Based Resilience (CBR) Program & Pathways to Planetary Health
Capacity: 40 participants (Workshop #1 was fully booked with a waiting list—register early to secure your spot)
Included: Coffee, tea, snacks, and a healthy lunch
Accessibility: The venue is accessible. Please share accommodation needs during registration or contact us at CBRProject@garrisoninstitute.org.
What to Bring: Comfortable shoes and layers for optional outdoor segments after program completion; notebook and water bottle.
Our Commitment: We cultivate a respectful, contemplative space that honors diverse experiences and backgrounds. All practices are optional and trauma-informed.
Price: This event is supported through a generous grant. There are no participant registration fees. After applying, prospective participants will be contacted by Garrison Institute staff about the status of their application.

APPLY NOW

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this for me if I’m not in healthcare?
Yes. This workshop connects health, climate, housing, food systems, and community regeneration—recognizing that many challenges are shared across sectors and that workforce resilience is essential to all of this work.
Do I need prior meditation experience?
No. All contemplative practices are beginner-friendly and opt-in. We create a welcoming space for everyone, regardless of experience with meditation or mindfulness.
Will there be materials afterward?
Yes. You’ll receive a proceedings packet documenting the frameworks, practices, and insights that emerged. We’ll also publish a public summary of lessons learned.
What if I need to cancel?
Please notify us as soon as possible (so a waitlisted participant can attend) at events@garrisoninstitute.org

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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.

APPLY NOW

Refuge in the Ark: A Jewish Mindfulness Retreat
2025-11-16 - 2025-11-20 | In-Person, 14 Mary’s Way Route 9D, Garrison, NY, 10524, United States
PLEASE CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

When the seas of our lives are especially chaotic, it can be healthy to take temporary refuge in a sheltered place — like Noah did in the biblical ark. Once removed from the storm, we can connect deeply with our life force, reduce reactivity, and restore and strengthen ourselves. After this respite, we’re able to return to our lives with greater clarity and wisdom to respond to the chaos all around us.

The IJS community will create our own ark of calm this fall, and we hope you will join us.

We are thrilled to be returning to the beautiful, serene Garrison Institute in Garrison, NY, for a Jewish mindfulness meditation retreat led by IJS faculty and other experienced, beloved instructors. Over five days, we will focus on deepening our practice through silent meditation enhanced with Jewish teachings, meditation instructions, mindful prayer, and yoga/embodied practice. We will use silence as a tool to deepen our sense of calm, safety, and spiritual development, following Rav Shimon Ben Gamliel’s teaching that “I have found nothing better for a person than silence” (Pirkei Avot 1:17).

Our days will include time for smaller sessions in two tracks — one for those newer to Jewish mindfulness meditation (including those who are new to retreats) and one for those with more experience. These tracks will offer different length meditation periods and tailored instructions. There will also be opportunities to mindfully explore the beautiful grounds and forested trails of the Garrison Institute.

TEACHERS

Our instructors will include Rabbi Nancy Flam, co-founding IJS teacher; Senior Core Faculty, Rabbi Miriam Margles; Core Faculty, Rebecca Schisler; and Senior Faculty Fellow, Rabbi Jordan Bendat-Appell.

Rabbi Nancy Flam Co-founding IJS Teacher, is a pioneer in the field of Jewish healing and contemporary spirituality. She co-founded the Jewish Healing Center in 1991, serving as its West Coast Director, also co-founded and was the Institute for Jewish Spirituality’s first Executive Director. Rabbi Flam teaches and writes widely about Judaism, healing, spirituality and mindfulness, and served as Series Editor for LifeLights, a Jewish series on challenges in the emotional and spiritual life. She currently works as a consultant and spiritual director.

Rabbi Miriam Margles Senior Core Faculty, has a long and rich association with IJS, having taught on various retreats and programs over the years. She joined the Institute as a Senior Core Faculty after over a decade as the rabbi of the Danforth Jewish Circle in Toronto. Her career has included service as a founding faculty member at the Romemu Yeshiva, serving as a fellow with the Rising Song Institute, co-founding the award-winning educational program engaging with the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, Encounter, and recording her original Jewish music with the Hadar Rising Song ensemble.

Rabbi Jordan Bendat-Appell is a teacher of Jewish mindfulness and text and has spent years leading retreats and immersive experiences for adults in various settings through the National Ramah Commission, Orot: Center for New Jewish Learning, and the Institute for Jewish Spirituality. Jordan is returning to IJS as a Senior Faculty Fellow. In this role, he will lead the planning of a new center for advanced study, practice, and teaching that we aim to develop over the coming years. He will also teach in online courses and on retreats. In addition to his work with IJS, Jordan is part of the clergy team at Beth David in Toronto. Jordan was the founding Director of Ramah Beyond and was Director of Camp Ramah in Canada from 2019-2022. Previously, he worked for the Institute for Jewish Spirituality (IJS) as a teacher of Jewish Mindfulness and as Director of the Jewish Mindfulness Meditation Teacher Training. Jordan also taught meditation to rabbis and cantors through IJS’ Clergy Leadership Program. After being ordained in 2008, Jordan served as a congregational rabbi outside of Chicago and co-founded Orot: Center for New Jewish Learning. Jordan is a recipient of the 2014 Covenant Foundation Pomegranate Prize. He and his wife Yael live in Toronto and are the proud and grateful parents of three.

Rebecca Schisler Core Faculty Member, is a meditation teacher, artist, and Jewish educator. A devoted contemplative practitioner, she has led groups and taught classes and retreats with Or HaLev, Awakened Heart Project, Orot, Wilderness Torah, Pardes, and Stanford School of Medicine. She was previously the Director of Student Health & Well-being at Stanford University’s Hillel, and co-authored the Mahloket Matters Schools Curriculum with the Pardes Center for Jewish Educators. A student rabbi at ALEPH, Rebecca is passionate about integrating ancestral wisdom traditions with innovative approaches to personal and collective healing and liberation. She teaches Jewish spirituality as an embodied, holistic, and accessible path, with relevant and timely wisdom for all.

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ACCOMMODATIONS
There are Single and Double rooms available. Please note, there is no available guest elevator and all rooms are accessible by stairs—except for those reserved for the mobility-impaired on the first floor. There are two communal bathrooms on each residential floor as well as a comfortable lounge with sofas and easy chairs, where tea and instant coffee are available. The lounges also are equipped with wireless, high-speed internet connection. There are several local hotels within driving distance from the Institute, for those who wish to stay off-site, as commuters. Onsite meals are included with commuter registrations.

Please Click here to REGISTER
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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 strongly encouraged 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 ask 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.

Healing Our Way Home: A Retreat for Women of Color
2025-11-21 18:00 - 2025-11-23 14:00 | In-Person, 14 Mary’s Way Route 9D, Garrison, NY, 10524, United States
Touching Ancestors, Joy and Liberation

A Retreat for Women of Color

with Dharma Teachers
Dr. Marisela Gomez, Kaira Jewel Lingo and Valerie Brown

This retreat is a sacred space for cis-gender and trans women of color to come together in community, honoring the fullness of who we are. Rooted in the themes of the book Healing Our Way Home, we will explore the wisdom of our ancestors, the power of joy, and the deep possibilities of liberation.
Together, we will create a refuge of belonging—where our stories, identities, and journeys are held with care. Through practices of mindfulness, we will nurture our collective healing and strengthen our capacity to show up with resilience, love, and freedom in our lives and communities.
Each day will include:

Dharma teachings on healing, joy, ancestors, and liberation
Guided meditation (both sitting and gently moving) to ground and restore us
Mindful walking and movement to connect with the body and the earth
Mindful eating to nourish body and spirit
Singing and chanting to open the heart
Dharma writing and reflection to deepen insight and creativity
Small-group sharing to witness and be witnessed in community

We encourage participants to read Healing Our Way Home before the retreat, as it will help enrich our time together.
This retreat welcomes the full diversity of women of color—including trans women, gender-expansive people, and anyone who self-identifies as a woman of color, regardless of gender role, expression, or physiology.

TEACHERS

Marisela Gomez MD PHD is a mindfulness practitioner in the tradition of Thich Nhat Hanh’s Order of Interbeing, public health scholar activist, preventive/alternative medicine physician. Of Afro-Latina ancestry, she lives in Baltimore involved in social justice activism and community building/research and co-facilitates mindfulness gatherings with Baltimore and Beyond Mindfulness Community for BIPOC and Social Activists. She is the author of Race, Class, Power and Organizing in East Baltimore, Healing our Way Home, and numerous book chapters in popular and scholarly publications. She has blogged at Huff Post and mariselgomez.com on the intersection of wisdom justice and mindfulness. Dr. Gomez is also a co-founder of the non-profit Village of Love and Resistance whose mission is to organize for community land control in historically marginalized communities in Baltimore MD.

Kaira Jewel Lingo is a Dharma teacher of Black and biracial heritage with a lifelong interest in spirituality and social justice. Her work continues the Engaged Buddhism developed by Thich Nhat Hanh, and she draws inspiration from her parents’ lives of service and her dad’s work with Martin Luther King, Jr. After living as an ordained nun for 15 years in Thich Nhat Hanh’s monastic community, Kaira Jewel now teaches internationally in the Zen lineage and the Vipassana tradition, as well as in secular mindfulness, at the intersection of racial, climate and social justice with a focus on activists, Black, Indigenous, and People of Color, artists, educators, families, and youth. Based in New York, she offers spiritual mentoring to groups and is author of We Were Made for These Times: Ten Lessons in Moving through Change, Loss and Disruption and co-author of Healing Our Way Home: Black Buddhist Teachings on Ancestors, Joy and Liberation from Parallax Press. Her teachings and writings can be found at www.kairajewel.com.

Valerie Brown is an author, Buddhist-Quaker Dharma teacher, facilitator, and executive coach specializing in leadership development and mindfulness practices with a focus on diversity, social equity, and inclusion. A former lawyer and lobbyist, Valerie transformed her high-pressure, twenty-year career into serving leaders and nonprofits to create trustworthy, authentic, compassionate, and connected workspaces. An award-winning author, her book Hope Leans Forward: Braving Your Way toward Simplicity, Awakening, and Peace (Broadleaf, 2022) received the Nautilus Gold Award for Eastern Spirituality for 2023. Valerie’s extensive training blends social justice, mindfulness practices, leadership development, and spiritual growth.

SCHOLARSHIPS

Please note that all scholarships have been issued for this gathering. We thank you for your interest and overwhelming response. We regret that we are not able to assist as we had more applicants than our funding can underwrite. For more information on our scholarship funds, please visit this page.

ACCOMMODATIONS
There are Single and Double rooms available. Please note, there is no available guest elevator and all rooms are accessible by stairs—except for those reserved for the mobility-impaired on the first floor. There are two communal bathrooms on each residential floor as well as a comfortable lounge with sofas and easy chairs, where tea and instant coffee are available. The lounges also are equipped with wireless, high-speed internet connection. There are several local hotels within driving distance from the Institute, for those who wish to stay off-site, as commuters. Onsite meals are included with commuter registrations.

If you are experiencing issues with our check-out cart loading, please click here to complete your transaction. We apologize for the inconvenience.

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 strongly encouraged 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 ask 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.

People Who Care for People - A Retreat for Caregivers
2025-12-05 19:00 - 2025-12-07 17:30 | In-Person, 14 Mary’s Way Route 9D, Garrison, NY, 10524, United States
The people who care for others play a vital role in our communities, whether in intimate family circles, larger social networks, or the wide array of helping professions in healthcare, education, social justice, and more. Often it is caregivers who support the front lines of our society: helping those who face challenges on a daily basis. However, this support can come at a high personal cost, leading to frustration, exhaustion, and a fast track to burnout.

How do we balance the desire to help others with our own needs? How do we have compassion for ourselves as well as others? How do we infuse our actions with the wisdom that we must do our best while honoring that we’re not in control?

Join us for this restorative retreat to develop the skills needed to move towards deeper care, both for ourselves and for others. Recharge physically, mentally, and emotionally in a community of caretakers from all walks of life with meditation, yoga, and contemplative practices. No prior meditation or yoga experience is necessary to attend.

Mindfulness teacher Sharon Salzberg joins with Atman Smith, Ali Smith, and Andres Gonzalez of the Holistic Life Foundation (HLF) to offer a program exploring this subject.

Take home a variety of practical tools for a uniquely personal balance of self-care:

Meditation techniques for greater calm, clarity, and peace of mind
Recharging breathing practices to counteract daily depletion on the job
Learn to work with challenging emotions like anger, guilt, and sadness
Reconnecting with deeper motivations for greater fulfillment
Yoga practices to foster health and relaxation for body and mind
Working with equanimity for ongoing balance
Build deeper connections through lovingkindness practice

Join us for this restorative retreat to develop the skills needed to move towards deeper care, both for ourselves and for others.
Atman Smith, Ali Smith, and Andres Gonzalez will be in-person at Garrison Institute, including Sharon Salzberg* on Saturday.
*Sharon Salzberg will co-teach virtually on Friday and Sunday.
Please email us at events@garrisoninstitute.org with questions.

TEACHERS

Sharon Salzberg is a meditation pioneer, world-renowned teacher, and New York Times bestselling author. She is one of the first to bring mindfulness and lovingkindness meditation to mainstream American culture over 45 years ago, inspiring generations of meditation teachers and wellness influencers. Sharon is co-founder of The Insight Meditation Society in Barre, MA, and the author of twelve books, including the New York Times bestseller, Real Happiness, now in its second edition, and her seminal work, Lovingkindness. Her latest release, Finding Your Way, from Workman Publishing is being released in October 2023. Her podcast, The Metta Hour, has amassed six million downloads and features interviews with thought leaders from the mindfulness movement and beyond. www.sharonsalzberg.com

Ali Smith was born and raised in Baltimore, Maryland. He is a graduate of the Friends School of Baltimore and the University of Maryland, College Park. Ali started his journey with contemplative practices as a small child, learning meditation from his father and attending the Divine Life Church of Absolute Oneness, run by Swami Shankarananda. He deepened his practice and learned the art of teaching as a young adult, studying many forms of yoga, meditation, mindfulness, and breathwork from his teacher and godfather Will Joyner. Ali has almost 20 years’ experience teaching these practices to a broad demographic spectrum, internationally. He is a published author, and is a pioneer in the fields of yoga and mindfulness in education, as well as trauma informed yoga and mindfulness, developing best practices that are used around the world. He co-founded the Holistic Life Foundation in 2001 and The Involution Group in 2019. Ali is also a co-host of the Look Again Podcast which you can find at www.theinvolutiongroup.com

Atman Smith is a Co-founder of the Holistic Life Foundation, where he served as Director of Youth Programming for ten years Director of Fundraising for five years and currently serves as the Director of Development. Since 2001, he has been teaching yoga and mindfulness to a diverse population including underserved and high-risk youth in Baltimore City Public Schools, drug treatment centers, wellness centers, and colleges. A native of Baltimore, Atman attended the University of Maryland, College Park where he was a letter award winner for the University’s men’s basketball team. He graduated with a B.A. in Criminology and Criminal Justice. His work with the Holistic Life Foundation has been featured on Making a Difference on the NBC Nightly News, CNN, and CBS, as well as O the Oprah Magazine, The Washington Post, Upworthy, Mindful Magazine, Yoga Journal, Shambala Sun, and many other publications.

Andres Gonzalez is one of the Co-Founders of the Holistic Life Foundation. For eighteen years, Andres has taught yoga to diverse populations throughout the world, including Baltimore City Public School students, drug treatment centers, mental crisis facilities, homeless shelters, wellness centers, colleges, private schools and other various venues throughout the nation and throughout the world. He has partnered with John Hopkins Bloomberg School of Health and the Penn State’s Prevention Research Center on a Stress and Relaxation Study and is a published author in the Journal of Children’s Services. His work with the Holistic Life Foundation has been featured on Making a Difference on the NBC Nightly News, CNN, and CBS, as well as O the Oprah Magazine, The Washington Post, Upworthy, Mindful Magazine, Yoga Journal, Shambala Sun, and many other publications. He is a certified Health Coach through the Institute of Integrative Nutrition, maintains a B.S. in Marketing from University of Maryland, College Park and an MBA from the University of Maryland, University College

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.

RETREAT ASSISTANT

We will offer a partial registration fee subsidy to a potential assistant for this retreat, among other tasks. Please contact us at: scholarships@garrisoninstitute.org to indicate your interest.

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.

If you are experiencing issues with our check-out cart loading, please click here to complete your transaction. We apologize for the inconvenience.

Voice as Practice with Meredith Monk & Ellen Fisher
2025-12-12 - 2025-12-15 | In-Person, 14 Mary’s Way Route 9D, Garrison, NY, 10524, United States
Meredith Monk and Ellen Fisher return to the Garrison Institute for this in-person workshop where voice, movement, and image intersect to create an opportunity for us each to discover our own personal richness.
Each session will begin with a short, guided meditation, followed by a detailed vocal and movement warm-up. We will explore how the outbreath expands into sound, tone, and resonance, and work with exercises to deepen our listening and awareness of our environment as well as the voices coming through us. The playful aspect of creation and the joy of discovering our unique vocal qualities will be emphasized as a way of connecting us to the healing power of the voice and body.
During the weekend, Meredith will also give a talk on the relationship she has crafted between her Buddhist practice and her art, and Ellen will join her for a Q&A.
The workshop is open to all experiences and backgrounds.

TEACHERS

Meredith Monk is a composer, singer, director/choreographer, filmmaker, and creator of new opera, music-theater works, films and installations. Recognized as one of the most unique and influential artists of our time, she is a pioneer of what is now called “extended vocal technique” and “interdisciplinary performance”. Celebrated internationally, her work, workshops, and lectures on Art as Practice have been presented at major venues throughout the world.
Photo credit to F. Scott Schafer

Ellen Fisher is a movement-based performance artist whose work integrates gestural actions with visual elements such as film and shadow play. She began performing with Meredith Monk/The House in the 1970s. Ellen also teaches and lectures regularly on dance both domestically and internationally.
Photo credit to Ben Stechschulte

To learn more about their work, please visit www.meredithmonk.org

SCHOLARSHIPS
Please note that all scholarships have been issued for this gathering. We thank you for your interest and overwhelming response. We regret that we are not able to assist as we had more applicants than our funding can underwrite. For more information on our scholarship funds, please visit this page.

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.

If you are experiencing issues with our check-out cart loading, please click here to complete your transaction. We apologize for the inconvenience.

Village Zendo Annual Winter Retreat
2025-12-26 18:00 - 2026-01-01 14:00 | In-Person, 14 Mary’s Way Route 9D, Garrison, NY, 10524, United States
Investigating Birth & Death

The Village Zendo’s year-end retreat is a chance to step out of ordinary life and enjoy deep silence and contemplation at the turning of the year.
Our schedule is serious (with plenty of zazen meditation) but also spacious, with time to enjoy the beautiful grounds and nearby trails. Dharma talks are given daily, and there is opportunity to meet individually with teachers. Delicious vegetarian meals are offered buffet-style.
If you have put off doing a residential retreat, or felt intimidated to try one, this is a wonderful opportunity. A special orientation will be offered to those new to Zen or to Village Zendo retreats.
Come and join the Village Zendo sangha as we greet the new year with clear minds and open hearts.

This retreat will be held in silence

PRICING & REGISTRATION

Registration is a 2-part process:
1. Program Fee – In order to reserve your spot on this retreat, there is a separate registration fee due to Village Zendo. Please register for the course HERE first.
2. Then, register for room & board with us the Garrison Institute, using the registration form at the bottom of this page.

There are two options being offered for this retreat:
Full Retreat: December 26 to January 1
Half Retreat: December 26 to December 29

TEACHERS

Photo Credit: A. Jesse Jiryu Davis
The Village Zendo is a community of people who come together to practice in the Soto Zen tradition. We offer zazen (sitting meditation), one-on-one instruction with a teacher, dharma talks, chanting services, retreats, workshops and study groups. Co-founded in 1986 by Roshi Pat Enkyo O’Hara and Roshi Barbara Joshin O’Hara, the Village Zendo is committed to authentically continuing the Zen tradition while keeping it contemporary and relevant to today’s world. We are located in lower Manhattan and additionally offer a hybrid zendo, with a vibrant online community that participates virtually, from different locations all over the world.
Our Abbot Emerita, Roshi Pat Enkyo O’Hara (now retired), received dharma transmission in the White Plum lineage of Taizan Maezumi Roshi, which incorporates both the Soto and Rinzai Zen traditions. Village Zendo has been given the Japanese name Dotoku-ji (True Expression Temple). The zendo is known for its vibrant and diverse community and the stability of a sangha that draws from a core of longtime dedicated practitioners. Our programming emphasizes the myriad ways Zen relates to our daily lives by way of writing, social action, health and well-being, and the arts, as well as traditional Zen studies.
Our new Abbot, Roshi Shinryu Thomson, received Denkai, or full priest ordination, from Enkyo O’Hara Roshi in August 2007, dharma transmission in December 2009, and Inka in January 2021. He has been affiliated with the Village Zendo since 1998. He also leads the Phajjsi Qollut Jalsu Zen Center in La Paz, Bolivia, which he co-founded in 1992. As abbot, he is supported by Enkyo Roshi’s twelve dharma successors who form the VZ teaching staff.

There are Single and Double rooms available. Please note, there is no available guest elevator and all rooms are accessible by stairs—except for those reserved for the mobility-impaired on the first floor. There are two communal bathrooms on each residential floor as well as a comfortable lounge with sofas and easy chairs, where tea and instant coffee are available. The lounges also are equipped with wireless, high-speed internet connection. There are several local hotels within driving distance from the Institute, for those who wish to stay off-site, as commuters. Onsite meals are included with commuter registrations.

Please email events@garrisoninstitute.org with any questions.

If you are experiencing issues with our check-out cart loading, please click here to complete your transaction. We apologize for the inconvenience.

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 strongly encouraged 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 ask 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.

Beginner’s Mind Sesshin: A Winter Silent Retreat
2026-01-14 15:00 - 2026-01-18 08:30 | In-Person, 14 Mary’s Way Route 9D, Garrison, NY, 10524, United States
New York Zen Center for Contemplative Care
January 14 – January 18, 2026

Sesshin, the Japanese term for a Zen meditation retreat, holds the profound meaning of “touching the heart-mind” and stands as a fundamental pillar of Zen practice. This exceptional occasion offers a precious opportunity for us to delve deeper into our practice alongside a supportive community of fellow practitioners. During our time together, we will explore the teachings of the Wholehearted Way, emphasizing the ever-present possibility of intimacy and the sheer delight of experiencing life’s fresh reality.
Through the practice of sitting and walking meditation, engaging dharma talks, and intimate dokusan sessions with a teacher, we will immerse ourselves in the transformative power of Noble Silence. Let us come together, here and now, embracing this five-day, four-night journey of discovery and growth.

SCHOLARSHIPS
A limited number of partial scholarships are available for this retreat, provided by the New York Zen Center. Scholarship accommodations are for shared (double or triple) rooms only. Please apply for support by completing a Scholarship Application Form. Due to limited funds, preference will be given to Sangha members who regularly participate at the Center. Priority deadline: November 21, 2025.

GETTING HERE
The Garrison Institute is reachable by car or Metro North Railroad. There is also a Shortline Bus to Poughkeepsie, which is 30 minutes from the Garrison Institute. For further information, please see this Travel and Transportation pdf.
Please anticipate an arrival time between 3:00pm and 5:00pm, with dinner at 6:00pm. Please check your registration confirmation email for more information on what to bring.

RETREAT ACCOMMODATIONS
Rooms are located on the second, third, and fourth floors. There are two spacious communal bathrooms on each residential floor. There is no elevator.

NY Zen Center REFUND POLICY
More than 2 weeks ahead of the retreat – 50% refund. Within the two weeks prior to the start of the retreat – non-refundable. Registration will close at midnight Eastern Time on January 7th, 2026.
WHAT’S INCLUDED
All prices include tuition, lodging, and three vegetarian meals a day. Supporter Level and Benefactor Level pricing are available for those who wish to increase their support of NYZC and our work to make the dharma accessible to all.

Donations (dana) to teachers are not included in registration cost. Dana is a foundational practice that emphasizes the importance of cultivating generosity without attachment or expectation of reward. In the Soto Zen teachings, we practice the act of giving not for benefit but to transform the mind of the giver and receiver equally. The teachers offer themselves freely as an expression of dana. We encourage you to contribute an amount meaningful to you at the end of the retreat.

COVID-19 POLICY
It is the Garrison Institute’s policy that every guest and participant must 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 second self-test kit when coming on site. We do not require proof of a negative test result. If you have a positive test result, please notify us immediately at info@zencare.org. Please see the Safety Protocols for Covid-19 page for more information. The Garrison Institute will continue to follow any COVID-19 guidelines set forth by local officials, NYS, and the CDC.

TEACHERS

Chodo Robert Campbell Sensei, is a co-founder of the New York Zen Center for Contemplative Care – a non-profit organization that focuses on the teaching of Zen and Buddhist practice with the goal to make them more accessible to people all around the world. The center delivers contemplative approaches to care through education, personal caregiving, and meditation practice. Chodo is a dynamic, grounded, and visionary leader and teacher; he has traveled extensively throughout the U.S instructing in various institutions. Sixty-thousand people listen to his podcasts each year. His passion lies in bereavement counseling and advocating for change in the way our healthcare institutions work with the dying.
He is also on the faculty of the University of Arizona Medical School’s Center for Integrative Medicine’s Integrative Medicine Fellowship and the Academy of Integrative Health & Medicine in San Diego.

Koshin Paley Ellison Sensei, MFA, LMSW, DMIN, is an author, Zen teacher, Jungian psychotherapist, and Certified Chaplaincy Educator. After many years as a chaplain and psychotherapist, Koshin co-founded the New York Zen Center for Contemplative Care, which offers contemplative approaches to care through education, personal caregiving, and Zen practice. Today, New York Zen Center’s methodologies are internationally recognized—and have touched the lives of tens of thousands of individuals. Koshin is a world renowned thought leader in contemplative care. He is the author of Untangled: Walking the Eightfold Path to Clarity, Courage, and Compassion (Balance/Hachette, 2022); Wholehearted: Slow Down, Help Out, Wake Up (Wisdom Publications, 2019) and the co-editor of Awake at the Bedside: Contemplative Teachings on Palliative and End of Life Care (Wisdom Publications, 2016). His work has been featured in the New York Times, PBS, CBS Sunday Morning, Tricycle among other publications.
He is currently on the faculty of the University of Arizona Medical School’s Center for Integrative Medicine’s Integrative Medicine Fellowship, on Faculty of the Integrative Medicine Fellowship of the Academy of Integrative Health and Medicine, and he is a visiting professor at the McGovern Center for Humanities and Ethics, of the University of Texas Health Science Center of Houston Medical School.

Dorothy Dai-en Friedman Sensei’s spiritual journey began in the 60s when she was forced to seek help for a back injury. This event proved to be a wonderful preparation for her eventual immersion 20 years later in Buddhist Vipassana practice at Insight Meditation Center.
After she established her Vipassana practice, she then began her journey into Zen practice. Her teachers include Peter Mathiessen, Joseph Goldstein, Matt Flickstein, and Maureen Stuart Roshi.
Dai-en is now a Sensei at Ocean Zendo, located on Eastern Long Island. She is honored to be invited to teach with Koshin and Chodo in the wonderful work at NYZC, for the benefit of all beings, as we live and die.

Click here to REGISTER

The Heart of Devotion Retreat with Krishna Das (2026)
2026-02-06 17:30 - 2026-02-09 11:00 | In-Person, 14 Mary’s Way Route 9D, Garrison, NY, 10524, United States
Join Krishna Das and friends for a weekend retreat of yoga, chanting, and devotional heart-opening practices. This is a wonderful opportunity to spend time with a group of dedicated seekers and immerse yourself in practices, teachings, and discussions.
Over this retreat weekend, Krishna Das will lead nightly kirtan with accompanying musicians, and guide us during afternoon workshops with discussions and Q&A.
Nina Rao will lead morning chant sessions.
We will take a Rhythmic Sound Journey with Arjun Bruggeman.
To help you transition into retreat mode, there will be a Gentle Yoga Class on Friday Afternoon – 4:15-5:30 PM ET – gentle yoga will settle us into the heart space. There will also be daily morning practice through the weekend.

SCHEDULE FOR OPENING DAY
subject to change
3:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. Check-in
4:15 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. Gentle Yoga (Please bring yoga props with you if you can)
5:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. Dinner and Welcome Talk
8:00 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. Krishna Das Programming

TEACHERS

Krishna Das is a Grammy-nominated chant artist and has sung with people all around the world for over 35 years. His music offers the practice of chanting mantras mostly in the Indian tradition with some Buddhist and Gospel infusions! By sharing his life experiences on the Path in his book “Chants of a Lifetime” and workshops with people around the world, participants have found a way to integrate spiritual practices in their lives in a better way with some peace of mind. Krishna Das released his latest and 16th album last year “Peace of My Heart”. To learn more about his work, please visit his website.

Nina Rao is Krishna Das’s assistant and leader of chanting. Her first recording is of the ‘Nina Chalisa’ on Krishna Das’s “Flow of Grace – Chanting the Hanuman Chalisa” album. In January 2013 she released her own album “Antarayaami – Knower of All Hearts”. She released her second album “Anubhav” in September 2018 and continues to chant with people in Brooklyn and beyond. She is currently working on an album of chants for the 21 Taras with Chandra Easton and Genevieve Walker. For more information, please visit: https://www.ninaraochant.com/.

Arjun Bruggeman, world percussionist, drummer, composer and session recording artist, is highly acclaimed for his unique hybrid of East-meets-West rhythms. He brings over two decades of experience as a practitioner of Eastern and Western spiritual practices to his playing, along with 19 years touring as a tabla player with Krishna Das. He has collaborated with artists including David Darling, Belinda Carlisle, Robert Bly, Snatam Kaur, Jason Mraz, Mark Egan, Adam Holezman, Jerry Marotta and “John Densmore and Robby Krieger” of The Doors. He’s currently at work in the studio with John Densmore. Arjun also offers his Rhythmic Sound Journey as solo concerts across the US, follow him on Instagram for the latest: https://www.instagram.com/arjunbruggeman/

Shamina Rao with over 25 years of yoga practice, Shamina brings deep experience and passion to her teaching. Born in India and raised across the globe, her classes offer a thoughtfully sequenced, breath-centered vinyasa practice, emphasizing the profound connection between the work we do on the mat and its impact on our lives beyond it. Shamina has been teaching in Brooklyn Studios for over 14 years. In addition to her weekly studio teaching, she frequently leads specialized workshops, retreats in Mexico, urban retreats that blend yoga and Ayurveda, creating immersive experiences that deepen practice and promote holistic wellness. She has taught teens and young adults at NYC schools and Pratt Institute, using yoga to nurture self-awareness, build confidence, and cultivate self-love from an early age. Shamina is also an International Board-Certified Lactation Consultant, a full-spectrum doula, and a prenatal and postpartum yoga instructor. Her holistic approach to wellness weaves asana, pranayam, meditation, and mudras, to foster balance, empowerment and joy. Shamina believes in the power of yoga to unite people of all backgrounds, and create spaces for growth and healing. Learn more about her at: https://www.shaminarao.com
Here is some of what you can expect while on retreat.
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ACCOMMODATIONS
There are Single, Double and Dorm (3 people) rooms available. Please note, there is no available guest elevator and all rooms are accessible by stairs—except for those reserved for the mobility-impaired on the first floor. Dorm rooms are located exclusively on the fourth floor. There are two communal bathrooms on each residential floor as well as a comfortable lounge with sofas and easy chairs, where tea and instant coffee are available. The lounges also are equipped with wireless, high-speed internet connection. There are several local hotels within driving distance from the Institute, for those who wish to stay off-site, as commuters. Onsite meals are included with commuter registrations.

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 strongly encouraged 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 ask 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.

The Three Pillars of Wakefulness: Stability, Openness and Kindness
2026-03-06 17:00 - 2026-03-13 12:00 | In-Person, 14 Mary’s Way Route 9D, Garrison, NY, 10524, United States
Westchester Meditation Center’s 13th Annual Retreat
Including guest teacher Judy Lief
At the Garrison Institute, March 6-13, 2026

Winter is a natural time to deepen our practice
Please join us for our annual retreat
Practitioners of all levels are warmly welcomed
This retreat includes a separate track for vajrayana practitioners

Many people are drawn to meditation as a means to develop more serenity and clarity. But a deeper transformation of our experience is possible. A well-established meditation practice grounds us deeply in an openness that is also clear, flexible and resilient. We are then better able to rise to life’s challenges with the kindness of an open heart.
A week-long immersive retreat is a powerful way to deepen our relationship to meditation and see its benefits. With a settled mind, we can tune into our innate wellbeing and our open heart. Mindfulness-awareness meditation, fully understood, can directly support overcoming our fixed, inflexible patterns, and allow the emergence of a more stable attitude of acceptance and kindness. We hope you can join us in exploring and fine-tuning these qualities that our world needs more than ever.
Surrounded by natural beauty and far from the clamor of our busy lives, Garrison Institute offers the ideal environment for deep contemplative practice. We welcome both new and experienced practitioners to attend this retreat.
The retreat will be jointly led by Judy Lief, a senior teacher in the tradition of Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche and master editor of his works, and the senior teachers of the Westchester Meditation Center, Derek and Jane Kolleeny and Gene Bobker.
This mostly silent retreat will be primarily focused on sitting meditation, but the daily schedule will also include walking meditation, dharma talks, discussion groups, two individual meetings with a meditation instructor, yoga, and free time.
A separate vajrayana track* will include talks on the Experiential Song of The View of Luminous Mahamudra Called ‘The Music of Great Bliss’ by Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche.
*Separate shrine rooms for prostrators, ngondro and sadhana practitioners will be available.

SCHOLARSHIPS

We are committed to making our programs affordable to all. Various scholarships are available for this program, each targeted to specific circumstances. If you would like to be considered for financial support please let us know by completing this application.

ABOUT US

For more information about WMC visit the website, westchestermeditationcenter.org and for more information about Judy Lief, visit her website at https://judylief.com/

TEACHERS

Judy Lief is a Buddhist teacher who trained under the Tibetan meditation master, Ven. Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche. She has been a teacher and practitioner for over 35 years, and she continues to teach throughout the world. Judy is known for offering insights and practices stemming from the Buddhist tradition as a support for ordinary people facing the difficulties and challenges of modern life. Judy leads retreats and workshops as well as presenting online teachings. In her teaching, Judy prefers questions to answers, humor to earnestness, delight to solemnity. Judy teaches with clarity and empathy, with deep respect for the wisdom of the Buddhist teachings and the power of Buddhist practice. She especially enjoys sharing insights drawn from her Buddhist training with people simply looking for a way to develop more mindfulness and kindness in their lives. Judy’s teaching is marked by gentleness, humility, and an occasional poke of insight.

Jane Kolleeny, Westchester Meditation Center Senior Teacher, has been studying and practicing Buddhism since the early seventies when her teacher Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche arrived in Boulder, Colorado. A native Coloradan, she moved to New York in 1990 and taught classes at the New York Shambhala Center for many years, organizing and teaching at the Tuesday dharma gatherings for nine years. She serves as volunteer retreats and business development director at Garrison Institute.

Gene Bobker, Westchester Meditation Center Senior Teacher, met Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche as a student at University of Colorado the summer of 1971. She attended the 1974 Seminary and became a meditation instructor in 1976. In the late seventies she became a teacher at the New York Shambhala Center and also served as director of the center from 1977 to 1982. In 1982 she staffed the Bedford Springs Seminary, and later served as Practice Department coordinator in New York. She has been teaching at Westchester Meditation Center for ten years. Genie is an educator in the Westchester public school system. She has led mindfulness/awareness training for educators in school and camps, and has taught meditation to students in classroom settings. Gene is a mother and grandmother.

Derek Kolleeny, Westchester Meditation Center Senior Teacher, became a student of Chögyam Trunpga, Rinpoche, in 1976. He earned a B.A. from Harvard College in the Comparative Study of World Religions focusing in Buddhism in 1982, and a MBA from Columbia Business School in 1989. He served as CFO for various companies and not-for-profit organizations for 25 years and is now a consultant for non-profit organizations specializing in organizational development and financial management. He currently teaches meditation and Buddhist philosophy at Westchester Meditation Center and Rime Shedra NYC to provide practitioners access to the core classical texts of the Buddhist tradition and in 2009 he co-founded WMC (initially called WBC). He teaches a wide range of weekly courses and programs on Buddhist meditation and philosophy with insight, joy and humor.

ACCOMMODATIONS
There are Single, Double and Dorm (3 people) rooms available. Please note, there is no available guest elevator and all rooms are accessible by stairs—except for those reserved for the mobility-impaired on the first floor. Dorm rooms are located exclusively on the fourth floor. There are two communal bathrooms on each residential floor as well as a comfortable lounge with sofas and easy chairs, where tea and instant coffee are available. The lounges also are equipped with wireless, high-speed internet connection. There are several local hotels within driving distance from the Institute, for those who wish to stay off-site, as commuters. Onsite meals are included with commuter registrations.

If you are experiencing issues with our check-out cart loading, please click here to complete your transaction. We apologize for the inconvenience.

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 strongly encouraged 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 ask 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.

A 5-Day Silent Retreat with Cynthia Bourgeault and David Frenette
2026-03-18 18:00 - 2026-03-22 14:00 | NY
Flowing Oneness
The Contemplative Vision of Father Thomas Keating
Led by Cynthia Bourgeault and David Frenette

In this eagerly awaited Centering Prayer teaching retreat, Centering Prayer master teachers Davd Frenette and Cynthia Bourgeault once again team up to explore the late teachings of Fr. Thomas Keating and what they have to offer our own continuing spiritual evolution today.

As Thomas fully embraced his nondual awakening, he began to write and see from a perspective rarely attained in the Christian mystical tradition, significantly “growing” the Christian spiritual roadmap in the direction of his signature brand of “flowing oneness.”

Through teaching, dialogue, guided meditations — and mostly through the practice of Centering Prayer itself — David and Cynthia will jointly explore how he charts this new course —and more important, how he has planted practical seeds to bring our practice of Centering Prayer to the next level.

Practicing Centering Prayer in light of the God of unity consciousness grounds us, more and more, in a reality that cannot be shaken by the crises of separation, disruption, and disintegration we are living through. From greater oneness through Centering Prayer flows the subtlety of contemplative service: God in us serving God in others.

SCHOLARSHIPS

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

TEACHERS

The Rev. Dr. Cynthia Bourgeault is an Episcopal priest and writer. She has been a long-time advocate of the meditative practice of Centering Prayer and has worked closely with fellow teachers and colleagues including Thomas Keating, Bruno Barnhart, and Richard Rohr. Bourgeault has actively participated in numerous inter-spiritual dialogues and events with luminaries and leaders such as A.H. Almaas, Kabir Helminski, Swami Atmarupananda, and Rami Shapiro. Bourgeault is a member of the GPIW (Global Peace Initiative for Women) Contemplative Council and recipient of the 2014 Contemplative Voices award from Shalem Institute. She is a founding Director of both The Contemplative Society and the Aspen Wisdom School. She is also the author of many books, including The Holy Trinity and the Law of Three, The Meaning of Mary Magdalene, The Wisdom Jesus, Centering Prayer and Inner Awakening, Mystical Hope, Thomas Keating: The Making of a Modern Christian Mystic,and others. For more information on Cynthia Bourgeault’s work, please visit her website.

David Frenette is author of The Path of Centering Prayer: Deepening Your Experience of God (Sounds True; 2012), a teacher of contemplative meditation, and a spiritual director/transpersonal counselor (now retired). He studied and worked with Father Thomas Keating for 35 years, and co-led a Christian contemplative retreat community under Fr. Keating’s guidance, where he lived monastically for 10 years. David has led Centering Prayer retreats at leading venues across the country, including 6 years at the Garrison Institute. His primary work is in developing spiritual and religious resources for contemplative practitioners, and supporting a unitive approach to meditation that includes body, mind, heart and spirit. David lives with his wife Donna in the Pacific Northwest, where he enjoys hiking in old growth forests, sampling Portland’s gluten-free food carts, listening to Beethoven, and meditating in his backyard studio shed.

ACCOMMODATIONS
There are Single, Double and Dorm rooms available. Please note, there is no available guest elevator and all rooms are accessible by stairs—except for those reserved for the mobility-impaired on the first floor. There are two communal bathrooms on each residential floor as well as a comfortable lounge with sofas and easy chairs, where tea and instant coffee are available. The lounges also are equipped with wireless, high-speed internet connection. There are several local hotels within driving distance from the Institute, for those who wish to stay off-site, as commuters. Onsite meals are included with commuter registrations.

If you are experiencing issues with our check-out cart loading, please click here to complete your transaction. We apologize for the inconvenience.
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.
