Cameron's Staff Pick

Meditation Without Expectations™: The Immersion Experience

Name: Meditation Without Expectations™: The Immersion Experience
Start: 2025-11-09
End: 2025-11-13
Location: Menla
Rating: 4.8

4.805 reviews

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

November 9 - 13, 2025

About this Retreat

Your Guides

Annie

Details of this retreat

The 8-week version of this transformational program has reached thousands of people across 30+ countries. The approach integrates ancient practices and modern discoveries in physiology, adult learning, behavioral psychology… and is proven to reduce stress and increase resiliency, empathy, and mindfulness. This intensive format enables us to go deeper with the meditations (deep breathing, 20+senses, mantra, Metta, R.A.I.N. Naikan, Tonglen, open monitoring), PLUS explore embodied movement (walking, yoga, forest bathing) and intuitive energy healing, together. The point is to learn, practice, discover, rest, be present, reset, and connect peacefully with yourself and others, releasing expectations about how meditation, you, or life should be.

We explore meditation as something embodied and intuitive, not rigid or performative. Each day includes guided and silent sessions, breathing practices, energy work, movement, time in nature, still and quiet reflection. You may engage as much as you want, from 3 up to 9 hours of meditative practice daily. There is sharing and silence, enabling personal discovery, listening, settling more deeply.

This retreat is designed to support people new to meditation, as well as experienced meditators. We all leave with renewed clarity, a stronger sense of community and connection, and practical tools for daily life.

Schedule:

Sunday, November 9

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 Meditation, Energy Healing (Grounding)

Monday, November 10

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. Meditations
8:20 - 9 pm Optional - Silent Meditation, Energy Healing (Heart)

Tuesday, November 1

8 - 9 am Breakfast
9:15 - 10:30 am Morning Practice - Breathing 5 + 6, Metta Meditation
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 Meditation, Energy Healing

Wednesday, November 12

8 - 9 am Silent Breakfast
9:15 - 10:30 am Morning Practice - Breathing, Chanting, Naikan Meditation
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, Meditations, Energy Healing (Governing Vessel and Chakra Clearing)

Thursday, November 13, 2025

8 - 9 am Silent Breakfast & Check-Out
9:30 - 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

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

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.

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.

Customer Reviews

4.80 out of 5.0 average rating

Jarrett • Oct 22, 2025

5.0

Verified

Invaluable retreat

In the beautiful valley of Menla, Dr James supports learning such profound inner yogas that are honestly priceless. His depth of experience and ability to speak to it is profound and impactful. Every time I’ve learned and trained with James I come off feeling continued inner conviction and confidence. Especially in approaching and navigating the space of difficult emotions. I will continue to train and attend retreats when I can.

Raj • Oct 22, 2025

5.0

Verified

The Reconnection Retreat; Nuturing the soul through the 5 elements of nature

As the retreat leader of this particular retreat I want to express how Divine the setting was. There is a natural levity on the property that can’t be explained , only felt.

All of the thoughtful spaces were just so amazing to hold presence for those magical “ Menla moments” that seem to organically occur there.

The staff is beyond accommodating. The food delighted the senses and nourished our bodies. The housing accommodations felt warm and welcoming like a sweet embrace that lingers in the memories.

I still find my face with a random smile through the days after as my thoughts drift back again and agin to the place called Menla.

Carmelina • Oct 22, 2025

5.0

Verified

Reconnection Retreat

Menla is such a magical place. This retreat weekend was pure magic. Everything from the mountains, the air, the food, the people, the energy felt so grounding and healing. You can literally feel the peace the moment you arrive.

I reconnected with myself in a way I really needed. The sound of the river, the trails, the beautiful spaces… it’s like time slows down there. The rooms were cozy, the food was delicious (and made with so much love), and the whole vibe was just nourishing for the soul.

If you ever get the chance to visit Menla or join a retreat there do it. It’s one of those experiences that stays with you long after you leave. The spirit of Naga the Dragon was with me even before arriving there.

Anonymous • Oct 03, 2023

4.0

Verified

Weekend retreat stay

The property is on a beautiful, peaceful location.
Nature is all around and sometimes a little too close but you are literally surrounded by woods.

The food was really good and I liked the buffet style and fruit basket.

The gift shop although small had a nice selection of items and I purchased a few fun items.

Since the dining area was on the opposite side of the site from the convention center, a lot of students drove back and forth on the property. I chose the walking paths to get around.

Marie • Apr 18, 2022

5.0

Verified

Lovely

I had a fascinating and enlightening experience during an “Energy squared Reiki,” class at Menlo this past week. The grounds, rooms, facilities amenities and spa at Menla were all beautiful, clean, and peaceful. The food was delicious and nourishing. I can say only good things about both Menla and the program I attended, and would wholeheartedly recommend both.

Meditation Without Expectations™: The Immersion Experience

About this Retreat

Your Guides

Annie Weisbrod

Details of this retreat

Getting Here