Cameron's Staff Pick iconCameron's Staff Pick

Mindfulness, Self-Compassion, and Connecting to Ancestors: Fall Meditation Retreat

4.502 reviews
Location icon
375 Panterkill Road PO Box 70 Phoenicia, NY 12464 United States
Date
November 14 - 16, 2025

About this Retreat

Your Guides

Details of this retreat

You are invited to "Strong, Rooted, Connected: Ancestors Fall Meditation Retreat".

The goal of the retreat is to help you feel deeply connected to yourself, your practice, your strength, and nature. From there we'll access a deep inner calm and build community. Each day we'll enjoy meditation, compassion practice, and mindful movement.

The focus of the retreat is ancestors practice. To grow as people, first, we accept our roots. This is an important part of our psychological and emotional development. Besides, every family line has everything. There is a whole cosmos in the several generations that came before you. Working with your family tree, we heal in relation to the entire world.

Your ancestors are always present in your life on some level. Once we accept them, you'll feel strong and confident in ways you cannot imagine. Finally, together we will learn how to keep past family scenarios from repeating. Through this retreat, you'll see that no matter how we look at it, the roots of everything are love.

Ancestor practices are so powerful that they are part of every major contemplative tradition: Christian teachings, Jewish rituals, Native American ceremonies, Ancient Chinese practices, and Buddhist philosophy all include ancestor practices.

Tapping into that ancient wisdom, you'll reach new levels of centeredness, connection, and inner peace.

What to look forward to:

Meditating
Taking forest walks
Lighting candles for our ancestors
Sitting there watching the leaves
Reaching new levels of acceptance
Starting to heal the family tree
Growing in compassion
Enjoying each other’s company
Eating three healthy meals a day
Mindfully drinking apple cider
Cultivating self-compassion
Accessing deep relaxation

Join us in upstate New York in the Catskills at Menla Retreat Center during one of its most glorious seasons.

After the retreat, you’ll feel new strength running through your body, a sense of fulfillment, and the ability to take on anything!



Schedule

Friday, November 14

3 - 6 pm Arrive, Check-in, and Explore the Property
4 - 5 pm Optional First Leisurely Hike on a Scenic Trail
5 - 6 pm Official Welcome Session and Introduction to the Retreat and Each Other
6 - 7 pm Dinner
7:30 - 9 pm Candlelit Ancestors Heart Practice and Survey of Ancestors Practices Across Traditions

Saturday, November 15

7  - 8 am Gentle stretching and Movement Practice
8 - 9 am Breakfast
9:30 - 10:30 am Walking Meditation, Self-compassion Meditation, and Mindfulness Practice
10:30 am - 12:30 pm Free time to visit the vintage country barn or move your body in the fitness facility. Perhaps time alone to meditate, nap, create, or journal.
12:30 - 1:30 pm Lunch
2 - 3 pm Lecture on Why Patterns Repeat Themselves Generation After Generation
3 - 4:30 pm Free Time for Spa Treatments or Hiking
4:30 - 6 pm Ancestors Meditation Practice: Healing the Family Tree
6 - 7 pm Dinner
7:30 pm Rest and Restore

Sunday, November 16

7 - 11 am Check-out of Rooms
7 - 8 am Gentle Stretching and Movement Practice
8 - 9 am Breakfast
9 - 10 am Time to Pack and Check-out
10 am - 12:30 pm Meditation on how to access centeredness and inner peace through ancestors practices. Talk on how to stay rooted moving forward. We'll end with a formal closing practice.
12:30 - 1:30 pm Lunch & Departure

*Please note that the schedule is subject to change.  Read More

Getting Here

Location icon Menla, 375 Panterkill Road PO Box 70 Phoenicia, NY 12464 United States

Accommodation

Deluxe King

Accommodation
Deluxe King Room with King Bed and Private Bathroom Free Phone and Hi-Speed Wifi Internet Access Available Air Conditioning This Space is not ADA compliant. Deluxe King Rooms are Available only in Kathmandu House * Please note that rates include meals and accommodations Read More

Standard Single - Shared Bath

Accommodation
Menla Private Queen Room with Queen Bed and Shared Bathroom Public Phone and Hi-Speed Wifi Internet Access Available This lodging type is not ADA Compliant Private Queen Rooms with Shared Bathroom are Available in Thimpu House, Panther Cottage and Potala House * Please note that rates include meals and accommodations Read More

Standard Double Full - Shared bath (Shared Room)

Accommodation
Deluxe Double Room with Two Full Beds and Shared Bathroom Free Phone and Hi-Speed Wifi Internet Access Available Air Conditioning This lodging type is not ADA Compliant. Please note that due to the stairs we recommend that guests with mobility issues book other accommodations. Deluxe Double Rooms with Shared Bathrooms are Located in Thimphu * Please note rates include meals and accommodations. This booking is for one bed in a double shared room: We May Assign You a Roommate if You Do Not Register with One. Read More

Standard Double Twin - Shared bath (Shared Room)

Accommodation
Deluxe Double Room with Two Twin Beds and Shared Bathroom Free Phone and Hi-Speed Wifi Internet Access Available Air Conditioning This lodging type is not ADA Compliant. Please note that due to the stairs we recommend that guests with mobility issues book other accommodations. Deluxe Double Rooms with Shared Bathrooms are Located in Thimphu * Please note rates include meals and accommodations. This booking is for one bed in a double shared room: We May Assign You a Roommate if You Do Not Register with One. Read More

Economy Premium Single - Shared Bath

Accommodation
Standard Premium Single Room with a Queen or Full Bed and Shared Bathroom Up to 10 guests share two large bathrooms. Each bathroom has two shower stalls and two toilets. A phone is not available but high-speed WiFi is available in the room Phone Access Available in Upper Level Of Conference Center. All calls are free of charge This Lodging Type is not ADA Compliant. * Please note rates include meals and accommodations. Read More

Economy Single - Shared Bath

Accommodation
Standard Single Room with a Twin Bed and Shared Bathroom Bathroom is Shared with One to Six Other Guests on Your Floor. A phone is not available but high-speed WiFi is available in the room Phone Access Available in Nearby Conference Center and also Lhasa in Business Center. All calls are free of charge. This Lodging Type is not ADA Compliant. * Please note rates include meals and accommodations. Read More

Economy Double - Shared Bath (Shared Room)

Accommodation
Standard Double with Twin Beds and Shared Bathroom The bathroom is Shared with other rooms on the same floor. High-speed Wi-Fi is available in the room. Phone Access Available in Nearby Conference Center and also Lhasa in Business Center. All calls are free of charge. This Lodging Type is not ADA Compliant. * Please note that rates include meals and accommodations * Please note: this is an open door policy room, meaning there are no keys to lock the door (we have lockers you can use at Lhasa if needed) * This booking is for one bed in a double shared room: We May Assign You Roommates if You Do Not Register with others Read More

Customer Reviews

4.50 out of 5.0 average rating

4.0
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Weekend retreat stay
The property is on a beautiful, peaceful location.
Nature is all around and sometimes a little too close but you are literally surrounded by woods.

The food was really good and I liked the buffet style and fruit basket.

The gift shop although small had a nice selection of items and I purchased a few fun items.

Since the dining area was on the opposite side of the site from the convention center, a lot of students drove back and forth on the property. I chose the walking paths to get around.  


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5.0
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Lovely
I had a fascinating and enlightening experience during an “Energy squared Reiki,” class at Menlo this past week. The grounds, rooms, facilities amenities and spa at Menla were all beautiful, clean, and peaceful. The food was delicious and nourishing. I can say only good things about both Menla and the program I attended, and would wholeheartedly recommend both. Read More

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