Stillness & Awakening: A Mindfulness and Yoga Retreat

Since the age of 13, Buddhism has been the heart of my life and practice. I am Bhante Rathana, originally from Sri Lanka, now residing at Serenity Central of New England in Jacksonville, Vermont, where I teach meditation and guide others in spiritual development through the Buddha’s noble teachings. Ordained as a novice monk in 1999 and receiving higher ordination in 2008, I mastered Sanskrit and Pali during my early monastic education. I earned a Bachelor’s degree in Buddhist Philosophy from the University of Kelaniya in 2014. I moved to the United States in 2016, initially serving at a Buddhist temple in Los Angeles until 2021, then spending three years at Bhavana Society in West Virginia. In May 2024, I joined the community here at Serenity Central. Guided by loving-kindness and compassion, I am dedicated to sharing the Dhamma and cultivating peace within myself and others. Vermont’s Green Mountains and natural beauty have become a profound source of inspiration in my practice and teaching.

Loretta Richardson is a retired Certified Nurse Midwife and longtime yoga practitioner with over 25 years of experience in both women’s health and yoga. After retiring in 2020, she and her husband made their home in the mountains of Vermont, where she enjoys being part of a close-knit community. In 2025, Loretta completed her 200-hour Hatha yoga teacher training in Spain, deepening her commitment to sharing yoga as a path to balance and well-being. Her teaching reflects a holistic approach, weaving together movement, breath, and mindfulness to support the body, calm the mind, and nurture the spirit.