Winter Retreat is a time in the life of both the monastic and lay communities when we simplify things, committing ourselves to stay within the boundaries of the monastery, and focus deeply on cultivating the practice of mindfulness.

The Winter Retreat is the equivalent to the 3-month varśa (rainy season) retreat held in monasteries of various Buddhist traditions. It dates back to the time of the Buddha when the monks and nuns were traveling and teaching the Dharma throughout various regions of India during the year. During the rainy season, when traveling became difficult, they collected together as a community to learn and practice the Dharma, and to share their way of life and experience in the practice.

Today, the monastic members still continue this tradition of gathering together to practice for 3 months every year. We are happy to receive lay friends who wish to attend this special retreat and share their practice and way of life with us during this period. We recommend a minimum stay of one week. If you would like to follow the courses offered during the retreat and deepen your practice you can apply to stay for the whole retreat (3 months). Just as in the time of the Buddha certain boundaries will be observed during this retreat, for us the grounds of Blue Cliff Monastery. We would like to ask your support in sharing this practice with us even if you only stay a short period of time or if you have your own car. Specifically, that means we should refrain from going into town or taking outings without asking the permission of our retreat mentor and of the community.

Join us for the Annual Young Adults Retreat at Blue Cliff Monastery, NY. Leave the city behind, get a breath of fresh air, and celebrate awakened living with a lively group of young mindfulness practitioners amidst the forests and creeks of upstate New York.

In today’s busy world, we all experience the stress, pressures, and expectations of daily life – overconsumption, overwork, uncertainty and anxiety about the future. How can we touch peace and freedom in the midst of all this?

This retreat offers us time and space to come together to disengage from all the busy-ness and begin to reclaim our freedom. With the tools of mindfulness practice, we will learn how to stop and listen more deeply to our- selves and others, to explore what binds us and what can make us more free.

To register, click here to download registration form.

Please check again soon for more information.

More info coming soon.

More info coming soon.

More info coming soon.