Noble Silence: A Silent Retreat Weekend of Buddhist Meditation, Reflection, and Rest
With John Henderson
January 27 - 29, 2023
A DHARMAKAYA CENTER RETREAT
Imagine the peace that comes with a weekend of silence. No insistent beeps and buzzes demanding immediate attention. No distracting debates about the state of the world. No pressure to be witty or wise. Only the opportunity to be present with yourself, and the opening to mindfully observe and release the thoughts and emotions that arise. Silence serves as a way to ground yourself—setting a solid foundation for daily life.
“Such a special opportunity to practice in a sacred space.”
STAY SAFE DURING COVID-19: Please read our COVID-19 Precautions & Preparations to understand our additional strategies.
BRING A FRIEND DISCOUNT: Do you know someone who would like this program, but hasn’t been to the Center? Bring them, and you both get a 10% discount on your entire program package. For the discount to apply, there must be two reservations, at least one of whom has not taken a Dharmakaya Center class previously. At checkout, apply the Discount Code: BringAFriend.
SCHOLARSHIPS: Partial scholarships are available for this program. Please write [email protected] for more information.
PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
Life has been quite insistent recently. Now that the holidays are behind us, it is time to step away from that pressure and sink into the peace of winter.
Spend three days with no devices. No conversations. No scattered inputs demanding your attention. Create space for your mind to calm, space to harness the power of meditation, protected from the distractions and stressors of daily life. It’s a golden opportunity to recenter yourself.
After dinner Friday night, you will be asked to relinquish your cell phone*, and the silence begins. Between group meditation sessions—both sitting and walking—you can take contemplative walks around the property, meditate on your own, or use a journal to explore your inner landscape. There will be an opportunity each day for group or one-on-one conversations with the teacher to discuss goals and uncover roadblocks.
Group silence creates an atmosphere of deep tranquility, and with it the ability to rest in the present moment. Together, you collectively deepen your meditation practices, and enjoy a rare chance for self-inquiry, insight, and the possibility of inner transformation.
*Please give loved ones the Dharmakaya Center main number as an emergency contact.
EVENT HIGHLIGHTS
- Intimate setting with personal access to the teacher
- Interactive sessions with question and answer periods
- Personal and guided meditation sessions
- Delicious all-vegetarian meals with locally sourced ingredients
- Option to extend stay on Personal Retreat
- Extensive library of dharma books
- Expansive wooded grounds with beautiful flora and fauna
OPEN TO ALL
There are no prerequisites for this program; it is appropriate for meditators at all levels and those simply interested in learning more about themselves.
SCHEDULE
(subject to change)
Friday, January 27
3:00 PM | Check in begins |
6:00-7:00 PM | Dinner |
7:15-8:15 PM | Welcome and Introduction |
Discussion on Retreat Mind | |
Opening Ceremony |
Saturday, January 28
7:00-8:00 AM | Morning Salutations and Meditation, optional |
8:00-8:45 AM | Breakfast |
9:00-10:30 AM | Introduction to Calm-Abiding Meditation and its Application |
11:00-11:45 AM | Meditation |
12:00-1:00 PM | Lunch |
1:30-2:30 PM | Introduction to Walking Meditation and its Application |
2:30-4:30 PM | Personal Practice, Reflection, and Rest |
4:30-5:15 PM | Meditation |
6:00-7:00 PM | Dinner |
7:15-8:00 PM | Evening Meditation, optional |
Sunday, January 29
7:00-8:00 AM | Morning Salutations and Meditation, optional |
8:00-8:45 AM | Breakfast |
9:00-10:30 AM | Discussion on “Right Speech” |
Meditation | |
11:00 AM-12:00 PM | Walking Meditation |
Closing Ceremony | |
Group Discussion on Experience | |
12:00-1:00 PM | Lunch |
1:00 PM | Checkout and Departure |
Teacher
John Henderson has studied Buddhist philosophy and practiced meditation for nearly 30 years. Since 2003 he has been a senior student of the Dharmakaya Center’s founder, Rimay master Trungram Gyalwa Rinpoche. John has applied the teachings in his professional life as a serial entrepreneur, leading both healthcare and real estate businesses, and as board member of numerous not-for-profit organizations in the Northeast. He has been teaching at the Center since it opened in 2017. COMMENTS FROM FORMER STUDENTS “John models the attributes that I am always working on developing. Graciousness, patience, compassion. It’s one thing to teach it, another…
Learn more about John Henderson