Cameron's Staff Pick

Meisou Meditation for Those on the Path to Awakening

Name: Meisou Meditation for Those on the Path to Awakening
Start: 2026-04-23
End: 2026-04-26
Location: Menla
Rating: 4.8

4.8030 reviews

375 Panterkill Road PO Box 70 Phoenicia, NY 12464 United States

April 23 - 26, 2026

About this Retreat

Your Guides

Seiji

Details of this retreat

Menla is excited to welcome Seiji Yamamoto Sensei from Japan for a first ever US workshop on Meisou Meditation. His method of Meisou Meditation literally means “Clear Light” meditation in Japanese. It is a method to directly awaken to the Light which is our true nature from the beginningless time. We will start by learning the principles of Light, which are the foundation of practicing Meisou Meditation. Then, we will learn physical Shinto practices to move qi and a breathing technique to bring the body into equilibrium before beginning the practice of Meisou Meditation. Ample time will be given to practicing the method in addition to in depth discussions and Q&A. You will feel confident and comfortable to practice on your own when you leave the retreat.

There are 4 steps in the Meisou Meditation.

Step 1- Spiritual knowledge (lectures on the principles of Light)
Step 2-Physical practice (physical Shinto exercises, breathing technique, and Meisou Meditation)
Step 3- Experience the inner awakening through spiritual exercises
Step 4- Deepening the awakening to the Great Light

**We will focus on practicing Step 1 and 2 during this retreat. You will be comfortable practicing on your own and progress through Step 3 and 4 during individual practices.

*This retreat will be taught in Japanese with simultaneous English translation.

Seiji Yamamoto is a master of Ko-Shinto (Ancient Shinto), Seitai Bodywork, and the ancient divination practices of Feng Shui and The 4 Pillars of Destiny. Upon the installation of the Shinto shrine of Sukunahikona on the Menla ground in October 2023, he conducted the traditional Shinto ceremony to welcome the deity, therefore successfully establishing the shrine. He is also the lineage holder of Meisou Meditation from his teacher, Toshihiko Chibana. His book on Meisou Meditation published in Japan in 2023 is currently being translated to English.

Schedule

Thursday April 23

3 - 6 pm Arrival and Check-in
6 - 7 pm Dinner
7:30 - 9 pm Welcome Program: Introduction of the teachers and explaining about the retreat program

Friday April 24

8 - 9 am Breakfast
9:30 am - 12 pm Morning Program focused on lectures
12:30 - 1:30 pm Lunch
2 - 4 pm Physical Practices and Meisou Meditation
6 - 7 pm Dinner
7:30 - 9 pm Practice of Meisou Meditation + Q&A

Saturday April 25

8 - 9 am Breakfast
9:30 am - 12 pm Morning Program focused on lectures
12:30 - 1:30 pm Lunch
2 - 5 pm Physical Practices and Meisou Meditation
6 - 7 pm Dinner
7:30 - 9 pm Meisou Meditation+Q&A

Sunday April 26

7 - 11 am Check-out of Rooms - (Please check out by 9:30am before the morning program begins)
8 - 9 am Breakfast
9:30 am - 12 pm Morning Program: Meisou Meditation + Sharing Circle + Group Picture before leaving the Yoga Studio
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.

Standard Double Twin - Shared bath (Shared Room)

Deluxe Double Room with Two Twin 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.

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

Economy Quad - Shared Bath (Shared Room)

Standard Quad Room with Quad Twin Beds and Shared Bathroom Accommodations Fee Includes All Meals. 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 quad shared room: We May Assign You Roommates if You Do Not Register with others.

Commuter

Commuters Menla Encourages Members of the Community to Participate in Our Wonderful Programs! Includes Meals, Public Phone, Public Computer, and Wi-Fi Internet Available in Lhasa Inn. Accommodations Fee Includes All Meals.

Customer Reviews

4.80 out of 5.0 average rating

Daniel • Apr 05, 2026

5.0

Verified

The Best

Menla is the best; Reminds me of what Kirpalu was like decades ago - It was like being at home in nature. Peaceful. The food was the best too. Just wonderful. I know I will be back. Thank you for a singular experience : )

Neal • Apr 05, 2026

5.0

Verified

Great positive journey toward wholeness

My experience with the workshop, “ The Myth and Mystery of Sacred Geometry and the Healing Nature of Mandalas: A Holotropic Breathwork Workshop” was far beyond any expectations I brought to Menla. The 3 presenters were exemplary in clarity, humanity, warmth, and knowledge. There was a lot of healing in evidence, personal growth stories shared by other participants also cited insight, change, support, and shifts toward higher degrees of health and understanding. It was a big deal for me.

The Menla center was a great beautiful place to stay during this adventure, nourished by delicious meals and the glorious first blush of Springtime in the Catskill Mountains.

Michelle • Mar 30, 2026

5.0

Verified

Invigorating experience

Equinox Embodied was an amazing retreat. The yoga and Pilates classes were well executed and the yoga nidra and sound baths were so relaxing . The retreat was filled with thoughtful surprises and close attention to details. The magic of Menla enhanced the experience. I went home feeling rejuvenated and invigorated. Thank you Kim and Whitney!

Brianna • Mar 26, 2026

5.0

Verified

Beautiful Retreat

Menla’s grounds are truly special, tucked into the gorgeous Catskill mountains, you truly cannot beat the location. There is a pond, a creek, hiking trails and multiple places to explore. I felt such peace joining this retreat between the beautiful itinerary and the space it was held. Highly recommend a retreat at Menla.

Oliviana • Mar 26, 2026

4.0

Verified

Equinox embodied retreat

I loved my time at menla while attending my retreat. The space is so beautiful and all of the staff is so kind. I also really enjoyed the spa where I was able to get a massage. My room was beautiful as well. I would love to come and stay here again.

Meisou Meditation for Those on the Path to Awakening

About this Retreat

Your Guides

Seiji Yamamoto

Details of this retreat

Getting Here