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Meditation Without Expectations™ Immersion

Name: Meditation Without Expectations™ Immersion
Start: 2027-04-28
End: 2027-05-02
Location: Menla
Rating: 4.85

4.8596 reviews

Phoenicia, NY 12464, USA

April 28 - May 2, 2027

About this Retreat

Your Guides

Annie

Details of this retreat

Connect without expectations about how that “should” happen or how you “should” be.

Meditation Without Expectations™ integrates ancient practices with modern discoveries in physiology, adult learning, and behavioral psychology. Published research on the 8-week program has demonstrated reduced stress and increased resilience, empathy, and mindfulness. The approach is structured while allowing freedom to explore.

Dr. Annie Weisbrod has supported thousands of people across 30+ countries through this program. This 4.5-day intensive allows us to go deeper, developing your capacity to be aware, listen to, and better understand the communications of your body, emotions, and intuition/spirit. Through experimentation and reflection, you may discover which practices, environments, and ways of paying attention best support your inner and outer life—and why.

We explore meditation as something embodied and intuitive, rather than rigid or performative. You will have opportunities to experiment, ask questions, reflect, share, and notice what genuinely resonates with you.

Whether you are an experienced meditator, new to meditation, or have struggled to find a practice that feels natural and sustainable, this immersion offers an opportunity to let go of striving, perfectionism, and preconceived ideas about how meditation “should” be or feel—or even the idea that meditation is simply a technique.

Instead, we play with the practices, reflect and discuss, and learn to listen deeply to our own experience—through body, heart, mind, and spirit – which guides how to live life well.

The intention is not to become a better meditator. It is to become more deeply aware of yourself. You may leave with renewed clarity, stronger connection, and discoveries and practices that genuinely support your well-being and inner life.

What to Expect

Daily Meditation & Breathwork. We use a progressive sequence of practices, including deep breathing/pranayamas, 20+ Senses, mantra, R.A.I.N., Metta, Naikan, Tonglen, and open monitoring.
Silence & Stillness. With optional periods of silence, you choose how much to practice, from 4 up to 9 hours each day.
Movement & Embodiment. Walking meditation, yoga, forest bathing, and time to hike or other exercise in the mountain forest sanctuary.
Reflection & Facilitated Discussion. Explore self, ego, identity, cognitive patterns, emotional resilience, and inner experiences through reflection and dialogue. It feels safe and participants become friends.
Intuitive Energy Healing. Energy-based practices and attunements are part of our daily exploration of embodied awareness and well-being.
Rest & Restore. Enjoy nourishing meals, spa amenities, quiet spaces, and time to unwind in Menla’s magical setting.

Come curious and exactly as you are. Discover what happens when you let go of expectations and begin to listen—to the remarkable human being you already are and to our impressive living world.

Schedule:

Wednesday, April 28
Day 1 – Settle In

12 - 3 pm Arrival & Check-In
3:30 - 5:30 pm Introduction, breathing 1 + 2, 5-senses, walking meditations
6 - 7 pm Dinner: Mindful eating with 5-senses practice
7:15 - 8:15 pm Evening Practice: Breathing 3, 20+ senses meditations
8:20 - 9:00 pm Optional - Silent practice, energy healing (grounding)

Thursday, April 29
Day 2 – Deepen Awareness

8 - 9 am Breakfast
9:15 - 10:30 am Morning Practice: Breathing 4, counting and mantra meditations, related archetypes
10:30 - 11:30 am Optional – Mixed-level yoga (pranayama, asana)
11:30 am - 12:15 pm Optional - Silent practice
12:30 - 1:30 pm Lunch
1:45 - 3 pm Afternoon Practice: Recognizing distortions, meditation
3 - 5:30 pm Nature & Embodiment: Active or restorative exercise on your own
6 - 7 pm Dinner
7:15 - 8: 15 pm Evening Practice: Metaphors and R.A.I.N. meditation
8:20 -9 pm Optional - Silent practice, energy healing (heart)

Friday, April 30
Day 3 – Expand Compassion & Awareness

8 - 9 am Breakfast
9:15 - 10:30 amMorning Practice: Breathing 5 + 6, Metta meditations
10:30 - 11:30 am Optional – Mixed-level yoga
11:30 am - 12:15 pm Optional - Silent practice
12:30 - 1:30 pm Lunch
1:45 - 3 pm Afternoon practice: Open monitoring meditation, forest bathing
3 - 5:30 pm Nature & Embodiment: Active or Restorative Exercise on your own
6 - 7 pm Dinner
7:15 - 9 pm Evening Practice – Breathing 7, Tonglen, energy healing

Saturday, May 1
Day 4 – Day of Silence

8 - 9 am Silent Breakfast
9:15 -10:30 am Morning Practice: Breathing, chanting, Naikan
10:30 - 11:30 am Optional – Mixed-level yoga
11:30 am - 12:15 pm Optional - Silent practice
12:30 - 1:30 pm Silent Lunch
1:45 - 3 pm Afternoon Practice: Seated and walking meditations
3 - 5:30 pm Nature & Embodiment: Active or Restorative Exercise on your own
6 - 7 pm Silent Dinner
7:15 - 9 pm Evening Practice: Breathing, meditation, energy healing (governing vessel, chakra clearing)

Sunday, May 2
Day 5 – Integration

8 - 9 am Silent Breakfast & check-out
9:15 - 11:15 am Morning Practice: Breathing, chanting, seated, walking meditations
11:15 am - 12:15 pm Integration – Reflections, Meditation in daily life
12:30 - 1:30 pm Lunch & Departure

*Please note this schedule is subject to change.

Getting Here

Menla, Phoenicia, NY 12464, USA

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

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

Economy Premium Single - Shared Bath

Standard Premium Single Room with a Queen or Full Bed and Shared Bathroom Up to 10 guests share two large bathrooms. Each bathroom has two shower stalls and two toilets. A phone is not available but high-speed WiFi is available in the room Phone Access Available in Upper Level Of Conference Center. All calls are free of charge This Lodging Type is not ADA Compliant. * Please note rates include meals and accommodations.

Economy Single - Shared Bath

Standard Single Room with a Twin Bed and Shared Bathroom Bathroom is Shared with One to Six Other Guests on Your Floor. A phone is not available but high-speed WiFi is available in the room Phone Access Available in Nearby Conference Center and also Lhasa in Business Center. All calls are free of charge. This Lodging Type is not ADA Compliant. * Please note rates include meals and accommodations.

Economy Double - Shared Bath (Shared Room)

Standard Double with Twin Beds and Shared Bathroom The bathroom is Shared with other rooms on the same floor. High-speed Wi-Fi is available in the room. Phone Access Available in Nearby Conference Center and also Lhasa in Business Center. All calls are free of charge. This Lodging Type is not ADA Compliant. * Please note that rates include meals and accommodations * Please note: this is an open door policy room, meaning there are no keys to lock the door (we have lockers you can use at Lhasa if needed) * This booking is for one bed in a double shared room: We May Assign You Roommates if You Do Not Register with others

Customer Reviews

4.85 out of 5.0 average rating

Gloria • Oct 08, 2026

5.0

Verified

A Great Retreat Experience

The staff was very friendly and accommodating. The grounds are so tranquil and beautiful and the facilities were very clean. My only suggestion for improvement is to provide a more private dressing area after taking a shower.
Many of the attendees I spoke with felt the same way. Thank you!

Jeannine • Oct 07, 2026

5.0

Verified

Quiet, peaceful, relaxing and rejuvenating

Menla is a wonderful location to attend a retreat or create your own retreat. The forest location is rejuvenating all on its own, but then you add in the delicious food, kind staff, and relaxing bedrooms, and you certainly can find yourself unwinding. I signed up for a yoga retreat, not knowing the instructors or anyone in the class. Most attendees in my retreat were already friends or followers of the instructors, but that didn't affect the quality of the experience for me. You can be a solo retreatant and have an amazing experience there. I also was concerned about the shared bathroom experience as the rooms with private baths were all sold out, but it was never an issue and the bathrooms were pristine. Lastly, I also scheduled spa services and found the practitioner to be very skilled and professional. The spa is a lovely place to spend the day drinking tea, reading books, lounging, and enjoying the small sauna areas. The 10-headed shower was delightful! If you are looking for a beautiful and natural setting, Menla is the perfect place to go!

Linda • Oct 05, 2026

5.0

Verified

ASKing age for roombooking

I was there with a retreat. When booking, it asks for my age and my preference (female or male) for my bathroommate, since I am in a single room and share a bathroom with another person. I chose to share with a female. First, I shared the bathroom with a couple. I didn't realize I would be sharing my bathroom with two other people, and that one of them would be male. At one point, as I was leaving the bathroom, I accidentally ran right into the male with just a towel on. Because of personal reasons, this was very challenging . Second, asking for a person's age when booking a room should be optional, or not asked at all. I can see that I was profiled and was in housing with people around my age and order. This could have been totally by coincidence.

Overall, I found the property and the experience to be wonderful. All the staff are truly loving and caring. Thank you!

Michelle • Oct 05, 2026

5.0

Verified

A wonderful week

A magical time in the Catskills! The grounds were stunning, the facilities were great and the food was very, very good. Also, the staff were friendly and helpful. I loved my time there. The only disappointment was the spa, in that I had two appointments cancelled. I understand that staffing issues happen but I felt the level of service was not comparable to the rest of the facility although I did go on a guided hike and it was great.

Christopher • Oct 02, 2026

5.0

Verified

Amazingly tranquil space for a retreat with great amenities

Just got home from another amazing retreat at Menla.

The lecture hall is such a great space and the audio / visual people do such an amazing job of stage managing the room with multiple cameras and mics that it makes for a great educational tool to be able to go back to such a well produced recording after. The room is large, with comfortable seating and environment.

The food in the dining hall in the Main Inn building is vegetarian and is awesome, even for omnivores like myself - didn't miss the meat at all for the week.

My room this time was in the same building as the lecture hall and was very nicely done and comfortable with an armoire, queen bed, desk and chair. My previous room had a sink and mirror, this one did not. But that was fine. Previous room in another building shared a bathroom with one other room, this one shared a bathroom with 10 other rooms, but it was a multi person bathroom with two shower stalls, two sinks and one toilet stall for men. So with a mix of genders in the rooms, you only share with about half the rooms. It worked out well. Finally, I used the recommended car service to go to and from the resort and it worked out great. The only issue with that is that the roads around campus are gravel and so if you get dropped at the Inn and walk to the Convention Center like I did with a roller bag, that can be a longish, bumpy walk while most people would be driving. No biggie, just something to keep in mind.

The spa is also amazing. The retreat I was at gave you ample free time to explore the resort and surrounding areas for hikes, etc. I got two awesome massages and the steam room and sauna in the men's room were very nice along with an automated shower that had several massage settings to choose from as well.

All in all, a great educational experience at Menla with one of my favorite Buddhist teachers, with great accommodations, great food, and great people in a beautiful setting in the Catskill Mountains of New York.

Meditation Without Expectations™ Immersion

About this Retreat

Your Guides

Annie Weisbrod

Details of this retreat

Getting Here