Last Chance

Journey Within Silent Retreat

Name: Journey Within Silent Retreat
Start: 2026-04-11
End: 2026-04-14
Location: Dharmakaya Center for Wellbeing
Rating: 5

5.0014 reviews

191 Cragsmoor Road, Cragsmoor, New York 12566, USA

April 11 - 14, 2026

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

John

John Henderson

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 a board member of numerous not-for-profit organizations in the Northeast. He has been teaching at the Center since it opened in 2017, offering dozens of programs in person and online, as well as providing individual meditation guidance to our retreatants and our volunteers. 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 to live it."
“John was fantastic. His teaching has changed my life for the better.”
“I absorbed more from John’s teachings than from any other Buddhist materials I’ve seen.”
“I really enjoyed this experience – a weekend I will never forget which may have changed my view on a few things.”
“John’s teachings were excellent. He provided very clear explanations and was generous with his time with answering questions.”
“The balance of teaching/questions, contemplation and meditation practice was optimal. I have a much better understanding of the practice and its relevance in my life.”
“John was wonderful. Full of warmth, wisdom and patience”
“I feel calm and re-energized. I am excited to restart my personal practice and feel inspired to apply a number of new techniques that enrich my daily life.”
“John is an excellent teacher. I really appreciated how he adjusted his planned presentation to accommodate our many questions”

GUIDED MEDITATIONS (please click to link to the meditation)

Details of this retreat

RETREAT BY INVITED PRESENTER
Profound peace comes from wordless silence. This retreat will explore "spiritual listening" with Noble Silence. There will be meditations and journaling, woods walks and mindful eating, and daily teachings, all within the embrace of silence.

"The concept of a silent retreat invited real fear—confirmation that I needed to take the leap. I will be forever thankful that I did...This retreat has ignited a change in me that no zen newsletter, meditation app, or therapy session could. I wish the same for you."

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
You are besieged by noise. The outside world is filled with the clatter of phones, television, news, conversations, traffic, machines. And sometimes your internal world is even louder, as you ruminate about an email you sent ten minutes ago, an argument you had ten days ago, a bad financial decision you made ten years ago. Yet, quieting your mind is a challenge.

Let us provide the container—the ideal conditions—for you to sink deep within and break free from your mental chatter. With guided meditations and teachings, group practice, yoga, journaling, time in nature, and plenty of “down time,” we provide a relaxing, supportive, distraction-free atmosphere for your inner journey—which will foster a more present, calm, and balanced approach to life.

RETREAT CENTER HIGHLIGHTS

Intimate setting with personal access to the teacher
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

OPEN TO ALL
There are no prerequisites for this program; it is appropriate for all.

SCHEDULE
(subject to change)

Saturday, April 11

3:00 PM
Check in begins

5:30 PM
Welcome and Introduction

6:00-7:00 PM
Dinner With Conversation

7:15-9:15 PM
Discussion prior to entering Noble Silence

Silence Begins

Guided Meditation

Gentle and Restorative Yoga

Sunday, April 12

7:30-8:00 AM
Morning Salutations and Meditation, optional

8:00-8:45 AM
Breakfast, Eating Meditation

9:00-10:30 AM
Morning Learning and Meditation

10:30-11:30 AM
Gentle and Restorative Yoga

12:00-1:00 PM
Lunch

1:30-3:00 PM
Afternoon Learning and Meditation

3:30-4:45 PM
Woods Walk (weather permitting)

4:45-6:00 PM
Personal Reflection

6:00-7:00 PM
Dinner

7:30-8:30PM
Evening Learning and Meditation

Monday, April 13

7:30-8:00 AM
Morning Salutations and Meditation, optional

8:00-8:45 AM
Breakfast, Eating Meditation

9:00-10:30 AM
Morning Learning and Meditation

10:30 AM-12:00 PM
Personal Reflection

12:00-1:00 PM
Lunch

1:30-3:00 PM
Afternoon Learning and Meditation

3:00-4:00 PM
Personal Reflection

4:00-5:00 PM
Gentle and Restorative Yoga

6:00-7:00 PM
Dinner

7:30-8:30PM
Evening Learning and Meditation

Tuesday, April 14

7:30-8:00 AM
Morning Salutations and Meditation, optional

8:00-8:45 AM
Breakfast

9:00-11:30 AM
Morning Learning and Meditation

Q&A

Closing Circle

12:00-1:00 PM
Lunch with conversation

1:00 PM
Checkout and Departure

Schedule

7:30-8:00 AM: Morning Mediation and Salutations
8:00-9:00 AM Breakfast
9:00 AM-12:00 PM: Program or free time
12:00-1:00 PM: Lunch
1:00-6:00 PM: Program or free time
6:00-7:00 PM: Dinner
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, USA

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.

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.

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

Anonymous • Dec 01, 2025

5.0

Verified

Above and beyond

I was amazed how much care and effort the people who work/volunteer there put into what they do. Food was delicious and healthy, accommodations and facilities sparkling clean, the area is so beautiful and you can enjoy it by doing small hikes on the trails. I've learned a few new things about mediation techniques that I look forward to applying to my practice.

Thank you so much for this incredible experience of peace and tranquility.

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!

Journey Within Silent Retreat

Retreat Highlights

About this Retreat

Your Guides

John Henderson

Details of this retreat

Schedule

Getting Here

Directions

Accommodation

Private Room: Single

Junior Suite: Single

Venue & Amenities

Meals

Menu Types

What's Included

What's Not Included

Above and beyond

thanhgiving retreat

Peace in a comfortable environment

Beautiful spot

Amazing place Amazing experience

Private Room: Single

Junior Suite: Single

Have a question for your host?

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