Relationships Are Complicated: The Buddhist Path to an Open Heart

Location icon
191 Cragsmoor Road; Cragsmoor, New York 12566
Date
June 7 - 9, 2024

Retreat Highlights

  • Intimate setting with no mandatory schedule
  • Option to meet with a Senior Teacher to plan your retreat goals
  • Group meditation and guided meditation sessions (optional)
  • Yoga (optional)
  • Singing Bowls (optional)
  • Delicious all-vegetarian meals with farm-fresh, local ingredients
  • Extensive library of dharma and wellbeing books
  • Expansive wooded grounds with beautiful paths, flora and fauna

About this Retreat

Your Guides

Details of this retreat

A DHARMAKAYA CENTER RETREAT
Relationships—with family, work mates, romantic partners, or even casual acquaintances—can be our greatest source of joy...and also of frustration. They can also be a tremendous catalyst for personal and spiritual growth, providing valuable opportunities to practice the Buddhist "perfections" as we cultivate kindness, generosity, compassion, and wisdom.
"John is wonderful—full of warmth, wisdom, and patience. His teaching helped me a lot working through some personal difficulties."
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. May not be combined with an Early Bird Discount.

SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE: We are pleased to be able to offer partial scholarships for this program. Please apply here.


PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
It’s hard to listen without judgment, to tolerate ambiguity, to offer true forgiveness, especially when we feel wronged or misunderstood. Yet each skill can enhance your relationships—and each is possible when you have an underlying sense of your own wellbeing, a sense of resilience, and an understanding of "the way things are." After all, part of listening is also listening inward, which we do by slowing down, and being "still." It can also provide you the perspective and capacity to tap into your own strength, and to create the kind of relationships that you most desire.

Throughout this weekend we will explore the ways that key Buddhist teachings can help enhance our relationships, including:

Letting go of "me" and "mine"
Staying in the present, not dwelling in the past
Understanding interdependence, and the 10,000 causes that create each moment
Navigating conflict compassionately
Cultivating forgiveness for those who have mistreated us—including ourselves
Releasing anger and resentment
Appreciating and feeling nurtured by all that is still good

The weekend will include guided meditations, walking meditation, teachings with Q&A, breakout sessions and group work, personal reflection and discussion. You will gain the skills and ability to develop and create meaningful relationships while learning how to navigate personal dynamics to achieve the kind of connections that matter most to you.

 

 
EVENT HIGHLIGHTS

Intimate setting with personal access to the teacher
Interactive sessions with question and answer periods
Shamatha and guided meditations
Delicious all-vegetarian meals with locally sourced ingredients
Option to extend stay on Personal Retreat
Extensive library of dharma books
Expansive wooded grounds with walking trails

 
OPEN TO ALL
This retreat is appropriate for both those new to Buddhism and those far along the path. Everyone is welcome.


SCHEDULE
(subject to change)

Friday, June 7




3:00 PM
Check in begins


6:00-7:00 PM
Dinner


7:30-8:30 PM
Welcome and Introduction



Calming Meditation Techniques



Saturday, June 8




7:00-8:00 AM
Morning Salutations and Meditation, optional


8:00-9:00 AM
Breakfast


9:30 AM-11:30 AM
Program






12:00-1:00 PM
Lunch


2:00-4:30 PM
Program






6:00-7:00 PM
Dinner


7:30-9:00 PM
Evening Meditation, optional



Sunday, June 9




7:00-8:00 AM
Morning Salutations and Meditation, optional


8:00-9:00 AM
Breakfast


9:30 AM-11:30 AM
Program


12:00-1:00 PM
Lunch


1:00 PM
Checkout and Departure



 

Schedule

7:00-8:00 AM: Morning Mediation and Salutations
8:00-9:00 AM Breakfast
9:00 AM-12:00 PM: Program and free time
12:00-1:00 PM: Lunch
1:00-6:00 PM: Program and free time
6:00-7:00 PM: Lunch
10:00 PM Lights Out
Note: Schedule is approximate and may change

Getting Here

Location icon Dharmakaya Center for Wellbeing, 191 Cragsmoor Road; Cragsmoor, New York 12566

Directions

CAR. You will find a link for driving directions on our website. The parking lot is immediately to your left when you enter the Center grounds. You may drive up and drop your luggage at the Welcome Center, but may not leave your car unattended there; someone will be happy to shuttle you back down to the parking lot.

TRAIN. From Newark, La Guardia and Penn Station, you can take the Metro North train into Middletown, New York, approximately a 30-minute drive from the Center. For teachings, retreats and other special events, we will provide van service at set times. Otherwise, please take a taxi from the train station to the Center.

BUS. From New York City, you can take the Shortline Bus into Ellenville, New York, approximately a 15-minute drive from the Center. For teachings, retreats and other special events, we will provide van service at set times. Otherwise, please take a taxi from the train station to the Center.

PLANE. Newark, La Guardia and Stewart Airports all offer convenient services. From Newark or LaGuardia you can complete your trip by train; from Stewart you may rent a car or take a taxi service.

Accommodation

Our two residence halls offer a simple, peaceful environment that supports your retreat experience, with rooms for those on both personal and solitary retreats. Each room has a meditation cushion and zabuton. Rates include breakfast, lunch and dinner with the resident community, as well as towels and housekeeping. All guests are welcome, but not required, to join the daily meditation and other activities (although separate tickets are required for all ticketed events). • Our junior suites have a double bed, private bath, private terrace, a refrigerator and ample room for practice. • Our private rooms have a double bed and room for private meditation, with a shared bath. Rooms may be shared by those in a committed relationship.

Commuter

Accommodation
Our Commuter Fee covers the costs of all meals during your retreat and the use of all our facilities.

Private Room: Single

Accommodation
This comfortable room has a double bed and ample room for meditation. It is outfitted with a desk and small table suitable for a meditation object; it shares a bath with one or two other rooms. All rooms are furnished with linens, pillows, blankets, coverlets, and towels, as well as a meditation cushion and zabuton. The room rate includes three delicious vegetarian meals each day; in addition, there is a tea station on every hall.

Private Room: Couple

Accommodation
This registration fee is for two people. This comfortable room has one double bed, and may be shared by couples in a committed relationship. With ample room for meditation, it features a desk and small table suitable for a meditation object. All rooms are furnished with linens, pillows, blankets, coverlets, and towels, as well as a meditation cushion and zabuton. The room shares a bath with one or two other rooms. Room rates include three delicious vegetarian meals each day (6 total meals for a couple room); there is also a tea station on each hall.

Junior Suite: Single

Accommodation
These large rooms have one double bed, a private bath, private terrace, a refrigerator and ample room for practice. Each room has a small table suitable for a meditation object and a meditation cushion and zabaton, as well as a desk and an armoire. Room rates include three delicious vegetarian meals each day; there is also an in-room tea station.

Junior Suite: Couple

Accommodation
This reservation fee is for two people and includes three delicious vegetarian meals each day (6 total for a couple). This large room has one double bed, which may be shared by couples in a committed relationship. In addition, it has a private bath, private terrace, a refrigerator and ample room for practice. Each room has a small table suitable for a meditation object and a meditation cushion and zabaton, as well as a desk and an armoire.

Venue & Amenities

Venue & Amenities
Venue & Amenities
A/C in Rooms icon A/C in Rooms
Free Wifi icon Free Wifi
Spa icon Spa
Sauna icon Sauna
Pool icon Pool
Towels icon Towels
Free Parking icon Free Parking
Kitchen icon Kitchen
Tour Assistance icon Tour Assistance
Hot Tub icon Hot Tub
Coffee/Tea icon Coffee/Tea
Cafe icon Cafe
Restaurant icon Restaurant
Fitness Center icon Fitness Center
Yoga Studio icon Yoga Studio
Housekeeping icon Housekeeping
Bicycles For Rent icon Bicycles For Rent
Perched atop a wooded hillside in the hamlet of Cragsmoor, the Dharmakaya Center for Wellbeing is surrounded by nearly 100 acres of forest.

With only 24 bedrooms, we offer an intimate retreat experience. We support that experience by offering three delicious vegetarian buffets per day, walking paths and outdoor meditation spaces, a library with a fireplace, a fire pit, and of course our lovely, comfortable accommodations.

Group organizers appreciate our breathtaking location, elegant new facility and the administrative support and years of experience to ensure a smooth week.

Meals

Menu
Menu

Menu Types

Ancient wisdom describes food as a source of prana, or life force. The Dharmakaya Center for Wellbeing was founded on the premise that nourishing food is integral to wellbeing. Our chefs are passionate about creating meals that are both flavorful and healthy. We use the freshest, most nutritious, least processed foods available; when possible our ingredients are organic and locally sourced. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are included in your accommodation fee. To promote good health, we serve delicious, varied, nutritious vegetarian food, with options at every meal. All our meals are served on a buffet, with ingredients listed next to each dish, enabling guests to avoid dairy, as well as glutens, nuts and other allergens.

What's Included

  • Three delicious, farm-fresh vegetarian meals a day
  • Tea station and fruit bowl always available
  • Full use of grounds, including Meditation Hall, library, outdoor practice pavilion, and walking paths,

What's Not Included

  • Travel to the Center

Customer Reviews

5.00 out of 5.0 average rating

5.0
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Peace in a comfortable environment
From the moment I arrived I was impressed with how peaceful and immaculate the entire facility is. The rooms had exactly what I needed with a comfortable bed and pillows, meditation table and cushions, and a desk. Towels were provided as well. Vegetarian meals were delicious. I was able to immerse myself in the silent meditation retreat and focus on deepening my practice. This is a perfect place for me and I’m already planning my next retreat.

5.0
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Beautiful spot
Dharmakaya Center is a beautiful & peaceful spot. Highly recommend! The center is immaculate and well maintained. Great staff and facilities.

5.0
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Amazing place Amazing experience
If you are looking for a place to unwind and grow spiritually while eating the best food this place is for you. Brand-new beautiful facility, super friendly stuff and relaxing atmosphere - I don’t know the better way to spend a weekend. I enjoyed my stay and I’m coming back!

5.0
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fantastic experience
I was in a wonderful art work shop and it was amazing. Accommodations where beautiful. Food was delicious and fantastic.
Beautiful grounds lovely walking experience. . The staff was delightful.

5.0
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Easeful Setting
I felt at ease and at home, right from the start. The program teacher was phenomenal, the retreat center director capable and down-to-earth, and the staff was truly kind and accessible. I can't wait to come back. I wanted to give Dharmakaya a good review, though I also like that it's a small and intimate setting. -- Lucia D

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