Irene Siegel, Ph.D., LCSW conducts her integrative EMDR psychotherapy practice and teaches meditation and healing in Huntington N.Y. She is an approved teacher of "Awakening Your Light Body" and other classes by LuminEssence. She studied ancient healing arts of native healers of indigenous cultures throughout North and South America and teaches the use of the Incan Medicine Wheel. As an Approved EMDR Consultant, teacher, and lecturer she has broken through traditional barriers introducing the innovative concept of integrating mindfulness and resonance into the EMDR protocol. Her most recent book is: The Sacred Path of the Therapist: Modern
Healing, Ancient Wisdom, and Client Transformation. Additional information about Dr. Siegel can be found at www.DrIreneSiegel.com
Details of this retreat
WE HAVE ENTERED A NEW PARADIGM CONSIDERED TO BE THE GREAT AWAKENING.
This is a time of transformation and the evolution of higher consciousness and soul awareness. Amidst great planetary confusion and upheaval, we are on the cusp of profound change. Ancient wisdom traditions, mystics, and modern astrologers have long predicted this era of awakening.
Join us at the beautiful Menla Retreat (menla.org), where we will create a sacred space as a group. This immersive experience includes deep learning, meditation, and sacred fire ceremonies, guided by the knowledge of our ancestors and ancient traditions. Are you ready to embrace change, awaken to divine presence, connect with nature, and access soul awareness? No matter where you are on your path of transformation, this program will guide you to the next step on your journey. Experience inner peace, joy, and stillness as we transition from 3rd dimensional reality to the wisdom of the soul and your divine nature. Release past wounds, open your heart, and give birth to a new paradigm of self and world perception.
You Will:
Connect to archetypes of nature, inner guides, and teachers
Open your spiritual heart to awaken your divine nature
Perceive and create your reality through soul awareness
Understand and embrace your role and your path during this cycle of Great Awakening as a new paradigm of consciousness evolves
Take a next step on your path of awakening
Join us and be part of this transformative journey!
Cancellation Policy:
If you should need to cancel for any reason, there will be a full refund for cancellations through June 15th.
Through July 15th, there will be a 50% refund cancellation offered.
As of July 16th, there will be no refunds given.
Schedule
Friday, July 31
3 - 6 pm Check-in and Arrival
6 - 7 pm Dinner
7:30 - 9 pm Welcome and Meditation
Saturday, August 1
8 - 9 am Breakfast
9:30 am - 12:00 pm Ancient Teachings and Meditation
12:30 - 1:30 pm Lunch
2 - 5 pm Preparation for Sacred Fire Ceremony with meditation and connection to forces of nature and the ancestors.
5 - 6 pm Free Time for Relaxation and Spa
6 - 7 pm Dinner
7:30 - 9 pm Sacred Fire Ceremony of Transformation
Sunday, August 2
7 - 11 am Check-out of Rooms
8 - 9 am Breakfast
9:30 - 12:15 pm Meditation, sharing, and closure.
12:30 - 1:30 pm Lunch & Departure
*Please note that this schedule is subject to change at any time.
Getting Here
Menla, 375 Panterkill Road PO Box 70 Phoenicia, NY 12464 United States
Accommodation
Deluxe Queen
Deluxe Queen Room with Queen Bed and Private Bathroom
Free Phone and Hi-Speed Wifi Internet Access Available
Air Conditioning
All Rooms in Lhasa are Handicap-Accessible, Including Four Rooms with Wheelchair Accessible Showers.
Deluxe Queen Rooms are Available in Lhasa Inn and Kathmandu House
* Please note that rates include meals and accommodations
Deluxe Double (Shared Room)
Deluxe Double Room with Two Full Size Beds and Private Bathroom
Free Phone and Hi-Speed Wifi Internet Access Available
Air Conditioning
All Rooms in Lhasa are Handicap-Accessible, Including Four Rooms with Wheelchair Accessible Showers.
Deluxe Double Rooms with Private Bathrooms are Located in the Lhasa Inn
* Please note rates include meals and accommodations.
This booking is for one bed in a double shared room: We May Assign You a Roommate if You Do Not Register with One.
Standard Single - Shared Bath
Menla Private Queen Room with Queen Bed and Shared Bathroom
Public Phone and Hi-Speed Wifi Internet Access Available
This lodging type is not ADA Compliant
Private Queen Rooms with Shared Bathroom are Available in Thimpu House, Panther Cottage and Potala House
* Please note that rates include meals and accommodations
Standard Double Full - Shared bath (Shared Room)
Deluxe Double Room with Two Full Beds and Shared Bathroom
Free Phone and Hi-Speed Wifi Internet Access Available
Air Conditioning
This lodging type is not ADA Compliant. Please note that due to the stairs we recommend that guests with mobility issues book other accommodations.
Deluxe Double Rooms with Shared Bathrooms are Located in Thimphu
* Please note rates include meals and accommodations.
This booking is for one bed in a double shared room: We May Assign You a Roommate if You Do Not Register with One.
Customer Reviews
4.75 out of 5.0 average rating
5.0
Verified
An amazing experience, as always!
Menla impresses me year after year. The feeling is like none other. Spiritual, safe, calm, even when the outer world is chaos. The staff are not just friendly, but make Menla feel at home and the event seamless, no matter the weather or obstacles that seem to pop up. My members had an incredible experience. We will continue to come back year after year to host the retreat in this magical place!
5.0
Verified
An Awesome Retreat Experience for mind and body
I went into IGNITING 2026: Light the Fire of Joy through Compassion at the Menla Institute thinking it would be “nice.” It ended up being so much more than I expected - one of those retreats that leaves you feeling genuinely lighter, more grounded, and strangely energized in the best way.
Food: Truly ah-mazing. Since it was vegan and gluten-free, I was expecting it to be… fine. Instead, everything was full of flavor, thoughtfully prepared, and satisfying. And the desserts at dinner? Honestly, a highlight on their own.
Dr. Bob Thurman: The star of the show. Every one of us LOVED his talks. He’s wildly knowledgeable, sharp, and somehow manages to make profound teachings feel totally alive and accessible. Also: he is hilarious. We were completely locked in listening to him - equal parts learning and laughing.
Yoga (Michele Loew): I loved Michele’s classes. She guided the whole group through a beautiful sequence - warm-up, deep stretching, and meditation - in a way that felt supportive and skillful. Her Yoga Nidra was especially powerful, and having Arjun join for the sound bath made it even more immersive.
Krishna Das: Forever the best. He’s the reason we showed up - and he delivered that heart-opening magic he always does. What I didn’t expect was how much I’d also love Michele and Dr. Thurman. This retreat wasn’t just “Krishna Das + extras” - it felt like a complete, beautifully balanced experience.
Marina Abramović: What a soul. Hearing her story - where she came from, what she endured, and how she continues to transform - was deeply moving. She carries a kind of strength and honesty that makes you reflect on your own life in a meaningful way.
Gratitude: Special thanks to Piotr for the tech setup. He was fantastic - calm, capable, and it made everything run smoothly.
Overall, this retreat felt like a real New Year reset - a blend of dharma, movement, music, and reflection that actually lands in your body and your life. I left with more joy, more clarity, and a very full heart.
5.0
Verified
Delighted and Ignited!
Everything was wonderful. The lodging, (Eva's cabin), the amazing food, and especially, everyone who works there, soul food on every level. Michelle's yoga and yoga nidra were unexpected highlights for me. She is emobodied wisdom. Can't imagine this retreat without her. I loved yoga with John Campbell of course--it would be wonderful to have both!!! Like she could do morning and he could have afternoon offering? The yoga nidra and soundscape were very powerful and transformational. Of course, Bob Thurman is a delight and central. The kirtan was so nourishing and pure pleasure. I am just awed by the experience that was created. Divine abundance. The part that couldn't be "controlled" of course by Menla, is the other retreaters--and my fellow passengers were so wise, funny, earnest, kind, considerate, adult--exactly who would be drawn to such an event, at that time, as I had hoped. Did I mention how amazing Michelle is :-)?
5.0
Verified
Menla is a warm supportive space for personal growth and transformation
Everyone at Menla is devoted to provided a supportive space for personal growth. I am deeply grateful. And, the food is delicious.
5.0
Verified
Healty Place with nice peoples and magical nature. Rejouvinate and
Rejuvenating and restorative.Well equipped. Excellent food. Competent staff.
Select your options
Available Dates
July 31 - August 2, 2026
Select a Room
Deluxe Queen
$1,064.00
Deluxe Queen Room with Queen Bed and Private Bathroom
Free Phone and Hi-Speed Wifi Internet Access Available
Air Conditioning
All Rooms in Lhasa are Handicap-Accessible, Including Four Rooms with Wheelchair Accessible Showers.
Deluxe Queen Rooms are Available in Lhasa Inn and Kathmandu House
* Please note that rates include meals and accommodations
Deluxe Double (Shared Room)
$918.20
Deluxe Double Room with Two Full Size Beds and Private Bathroom
Free Phone and Hi-Speed Wifi Internet Access Available
Air Conditioning
All Rooms in Lhasa are Handicap-Accessible, Including Four Rooms with Wheelchair Accessible Showers.
Deluxe Double Rooms with Private Bathrooms are Located in the Lhasa Inn
* Please note rates include meals and accommodations.
This booking is for one bed in a double shared room: We May Assign You a Roommate if You Do Not Register with One.
Standard Single - Shared Bath
$947.00
Menla Private Queen Room with Queen Bed and Shared Bathroom
Public Phone and Hi-Speed Wifi Internet Access Available
This lodging type is not ADA Compliant
Private Queen Rooms with Shared Bathroom are Available in Thimpu House, Panther Cottage and Potala House
* Please note that rates include meals and accommodations
Standard Double Full - Shared bath (Shared Room)
$880.40
Deluxe Double Room with Two Full Beds and Shared Bathroom
Free Phone and Hi-Speed Wifi Internet Access Available
Air Conditioning
This lodging type is not ADA Compliant. Please note that due to the stairs we recommend that guests with mobility issues book other accommodations.
Deluxe Double Rooms with Shared Bathrooms are Located in Thimphu
* Please note rates include meals and accommodations.
This booking is for one bed in a double shared room: We May Assign You a Roommate if You Do Not Register with One.
Cameron's Staff Pick
Verified
1 Space Remaining
