Personal Retreat

5.0013 reviews

191 Cragsmoor RoadCragsmoor, New York

Flexible Dates

Retreat Highlights

Step away from the rush of daily life to deepen your meditation practice and reconnect with yourself in an idyllic natural setting. Meditate in Milarepa Hall, in the privacy of your room, or on a rock outside. Spend afternoons in the library. Hike our 90-acre campus. Contemplate the stars while sitting by the fire pit. Just be.

About this Retreat

Details of this retreat

A DHARMAKAYA CENTER FOR WELLBEING PROGRAM

Immerse yourself in the tranquil environment of our Center, as you leave the pressures of your normal life and take time to focus on yourself and your practice.

You can speak with one of our Senior Teachers to discuss your personal retreat goals, or design your own personal retreat—whether a time of simple quiet contemplation, a few extra days at the beginning or end of a program, or intensive work on a specific practice. You can start each day with our morning salutations and meditation, then let the days unfold, meditating in Milarepa Hall*, in the privacy of your room, or on a rock outside. Spending afternoons in the library. Hiking our 90-acre campus. Contemplating the stars while sitting by the fire pit. Restoring yourself.

You are encouraged to join the Center's daily morning salutations and meditation, as well as our Tuesday Night Group Meditation. However, you must purchase a ticket to attend any ticketed teachings, programs or other events.

DISCOUNTS
We offer a discount of 10% for week-long (7+ nights) bookings; for bookings of two weeks (14+ nights) or longer we offer a discount of 20%. Please write us at retreats@dharmakayacenter.org for the applicable discount code, which you will add during checkout.

Planning to come multiple times during the year? Register for our Personal Retreat Package, and get your fourth retreat free.

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

AVAILABILITY
We can usually accommodate Personal Retreats even while other programs are occurring. It is important to understand that programs take precedence in the use of public spaces, including the Meditation Hall, the library, and the outdoor Practice Pavillion, sometimes making them less available for individual meditation. However, it is extremely rare that a program uses more than one space at a time. Further, we have a smaller Meditation Room exclusively for those on personal retreat, many meditation spots along our trails, and every bedroom is equipped for practice, with a zafu, zabaton and shrine table.

If the dates you want don't appear to be available, please email us at retreats@dharmakayacenter.org; sometimes a program has reserved rooms that will, in fact, not be in use.

*Use of Milarepa Hall and other spots on campus may be limited if there is a concurrent program or retreat.

Schedule

We offer the flexibility to design your own personal retreat—whether a time of simple quiet contemplation, a few extra days of deeper retreat at the beginning or end of a program, or intensive work on a specific Buddhist practice. Begin by meeting with a resident lama to discuss your personal retreat goals and design your practice schedule. You'll start each day with the Center's morning salutations and meditation, then let the days unfold, leaving everyday pressures behind as you find the time and space to study and practice in retreat—a precious opportunity.

Note: Schedule is approximate and may change

Getting Here

Dharmakaya Center for Wellbeing, 191 Cragsmoor RoadCragsmoor, New York

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.

Private Room: Single

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

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

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

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

A/C in Rooms

Free Wifi

Spa

Sauna

Pool

Towels

Free Parking

Kitchen

Tour Assistance

Hot Tub

Coffee/Tea

Cafe

Restaurant

Fitness Center

Yoga Studio

Housekeeping

Bicycles For Rent

Meals

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

Comfortable accommodations with queen bed in every room
All linens
Three delicious, farm-fresh vegetarian meals a day
Tea station and fruit bowl always available
Large Meditation Hall and private Meditation Room
Extensive library of dharma books
Cozy chairs and fireplace
90-acre campus with walking trails and outdoor meditation spots
Fire pit
Outdoor practice pavilion

Customer Reviews

5.00 out of 5.0 average rating

Catherine • Dec 14, 2024

5.0

Verified

thanhgiving retreat

hello

My retreat was great met alot of interesting people from everywhere as far as Brazil and China most people were from New Jersey. The food was great. I was in the yoga class on a chair and then decided I wanted to sit on the mat i miss and landed on the floor. There was so many people that just jumped out to help me. The place is very peaceful it feels like one big family. Catherine Asaro

Laura • Feb 01, 2023

5.0

Verified

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.

Anonymous • May 18, 2022

5.0

Verified

Beautiful spot

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

YELENA • Nov 10, 2021

5.0

Verified

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!

Debra • Sep 03, 2021

5.0

Verified

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.