SELF-KNOWLEDGE: Find Freedom Through Connection

Name: SELF-KNOWLEDGE: Find Freedom Through Connection
Start: 2025-08-29
End: 2025-09-03
Location: Dharmakaya Center for Wellbeing
Rating: 5

5.0012 reviews

191 Cragsmoor Road, Cragsmoor, New York 12566

August 29 - September 3, 2025

Retreat 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 beautiful paths, flora and fauna

About this Retreat

Your Guides

Trungram

Details of this retreat

Discovering the Dharma II
A DHARMAKAYA CENTER RETREAT

Throughout the Discovering the Dharma cycle, H.E. Trungram Gyalwa Rinpoche sets the foundation for Buddhist study. In this year's program, he will address core Buddhist concepts, including karma, emptiness, dependent origination, and death and rebirth, all over five days of engaged learning and guided practice. Each session includes a robust period of Q&A, as well as a specially designed Tsa-Tue yoga practice and guided meditation. Each day also includes walking meditation, small group discussions, and time for personal practice. You will have full access to the recordings after the program.

ONLINE OPTION: To make the teachings more broadly available, Rinpoche is also offering this program via live-stream. Registration will be open soon. Please note that you must attend Discovering the Dharma I, II, and III in person to qualify for Discovering the Dharma IV.

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
Dependent Origination: Examine How All Things Are Connected and Conditional
Study one of the fundamental insights of Buddha: Everything exists in relation to other things. All things exist in a conditional state and in a continual process of change. This is a fundamental building block for developing greater insight, awareness and inner transformation.

Karma: Review the Law of Actions and Consequences
Introduce yourself to the non-theistic, rational, ethical system that teaches how intention—in physical actions, speech and thought—always leaves imprints that lead to consequences at a later time. Learn the facts about the law of cause and effect. Know how to reduce harmful acts and increase helpful acts. Find out ways to deal with life most effectively and take control of your future.

Death and Rebirth: Explore the Real Nature of Cyclical Existence
Understand the process of death and rebirth; what dies and what is reborn. Learn to recognize and fulfill your highest purpose in this life, and develop the skills to help yourself and others at death.

Meditation on Emptiness
The realization of emptiness is imperative to attain freedom and enlightenment. Learn analytical meditation, which helps break through the shell of our preexisting concepts and creates the right conditions to eventually experience emptiness. Familiarize yourself with stabilizing meditation and resolve the nature of mind as taught by Mahamudra teachers.

EVENT HIGHLIGHTS

Intimate setting with personal access to Rinpoche
Interactive sessions with question and answer periods
Optional Refuge ceremony
Shamatha and guided meditations
Tsa-Tue yoga practice
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 walking paths, 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 exploring the teachings. Although it is part of the Discovering the Dharma series, the first three programs may be taken in any order.

SCHEDULE
(subject to change)

Friday, August 29

3:00 pm
Check in begins (Reception Hall)

6:00 pm
Dinner (Dining Room)

7:30 pm
Welcome (Milarepa Hall)

7:45 pm
Rinpoche: Introduction to Meditation (Milarepa Hall)

10:00 pm
Lights out

Saturday, August 30; Sunday, August 31; Monday, Sept 1; Tuesday, Sept 2

6:00 am
Wake up and prepare

6:30 am
Walking Meditation (Courtyard)

7:00 am
Breakfast (Dining Hall)

8:00 am
Rinpoche Teaching and Q & A (Milarepa Hall)

10:00 am
Yoga (Milarepa Hall)

10:30 am
Guided Meditation (Milarepa Hall)

11:15 am
Group Discussion

12:00 pm
Lunch (Dining Hall)

1:00 pm
Free time

2:00 pm
Personal Meditation: Calm-abiding Meditation (Milarepa Hall or Pavilion)

3:00 pm
Walking Meditation (Courtyard)

4:00 pm
Personal Meditation: Analytical Meditation (Milarepa Hall or Pavilion)

6:00 pm
Dinner (Dining Room)

7:00 pm
Rinpoche Teaching and Q & A (Milarepa Hall)

9:00 pm
Yoga (Milarepa Hall)

9:30 pm
Guided Meditation (Milarepa Hall)

10:00 pm
Lights out

Wednesday, September 3

6:00 am
Wake up and prepare

6:30 am
Walking Meditation (Courtyard)

7:00 am
Breakfast (Dining Hall)

8:00 am
Rinpoche Teaching and Q & A (Milarepa Hall)

10:00 am
Refuge, Gratitude Mandala Offering (Milarepa Hall)

12:00 pm
Lunch (Dining Hall)

1:00 pm
Checkout (Reception Hall)

Schedule

6:30-7:00 AM: Walking Meditation
7:00-8:00 AM Breakfast
8:00-10:00 AM: Rinpoche Teaching and Q&A
10:00-10:30 AM: Yoga
10:30-11:00 AM: Guided Meditation
11:15- AM-12:00 PM: Small Group Discussion
12:00-1:00 PM: Lunch
1:00-3:00 PM: Free time/personal meditation
3:00-4:00 PM: Walking Meditation
4:00-6:00 PM: Free time/personal meditation
6:00-7:00 PM: Dinner
7:00-9:00 PM: Rinpoche Teaching and Q&A
9:00-9:30 PM: Yoga
9:30-10:00 PM: Guided Meditation
10:00 PM Lights Out

Note: Schedule is approximate and may change

Getting Here

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

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

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

Perched atop a wooded hillside in the hamlet of Cragsmoor, the Dharmakaya Center for Wellbeing is surrounded by 90 acres of forest. The Center opened in 2017 and was purpose built to support retreats. With only 20 bedrooms, our retreats are small, keeping the retreat experience intimate. People regularly comment both on the cleanliness of the buildings and on the total sense of peace that envelopes you when on campus.

Meals

Menu Types

Vegan

Vegetarian

Pescetarian

Ayurvedic

Includes Meat

Organic

Gluten Free

Dairy Free

Nut Free

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

What's Not Included

Travel to the Center

Customer Reviews

5.00 out of 5.0 average rating

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.

Lucia • Sep 01, 2021

5.0

Verified

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

SELF-KNOWLEDGE: Find Freedom Through Connection

Retreat Highlights

About this Retreat

Your Guides

Trungram Gyalwa Rinpoche

Details of this retreat

Schedule

Getting Here

Directions