191 Cragsmoor Road; Cragsmoor, New York 12566
Up to 20 in group
August 1 - 8, 2025
About this Retreat
Author, translator, and editor, Minna Zallman Proctor has been working closely with writers and visual artists across genres for over twenty years to develop, strategize, revise, and refine their creative projects. She meets creatives where they are in their work, approach, and vision—helping to align all three. As a veteran professor of creative writing, she’s attuned to different processes and modes of creativity. She believes that making art and literature is hard and exhilarating work, but should never be painful or boring.
Minna is the author most recently of the memoir Landslide: True Stories, and the translation from Italian of Natalia Ginzburg’s Happiness, As Such. Her new translation of Cesare Pavese’s The Leucothea Dialogues is due out this fall. She was editor of The Literary Review from 2008-2021 and director of the Low Residency MFA in Creative Writing at Fairleigh Dickinson University in New Jersey.
John Henderson has studied Buddhist philosophy and practiced meditation for nearly 30 years. Since 2003 he has been a senior student of the Dharmakaya Center’s founder, Rimay master Trungram Gyalwa Rinpoche.
John has applied the teachings in his professional life as a serial entrepreneur, leading both healthcare and real estate businesses, and as a board member of numerous not-for-profit organizations in the Northeast. He has been teaching at the Center since it opened in 2017, offering dozens of programs in person and online, as well as providing individual meditation guidance to our retreatants and our volunteers.
COMMENTS FROM FORMER STUDENTS
- "John models the attributes that I am always working on developing. Graciousness, patience, compassion. It's one thing to teach it, another to live it."
- “John was fantastic. His teaching has changed my life for the better.”
- “I absorbed more from John’s teachings than from any other Buddhist materials I’ve seen.”
- “I really enjoyed this experience – a weekend I will never forget which may have changed my view on a few things.”
- “John’s teachings were excellent. He provided very clear explanations and was generous with his time with answering questions.”
- “The balance of teaching/questions, contemplation and meditation practice was optimal. I have a much better understanding of the practice and its relevance in my life.”
- “John was wonderful. Full of warmth, wisdom and patience”
- “I feel calm and re-energized. I am excited to restart my personal practice and feel inspired to apply a number of new techniques that enrich my daily life.”
- “John is an excellent teacher. I really appreciated how he adjusted his planned presentation to accommodate our many questions”
GUIDED MEDITATIONS
(please click to link to the meditation)
Details of this retreat
A DHARMAKAYA CENTER RETREAT
It’s hard to find the time or space to write a book. Or a play. Or a poem. Or even a letter for that matter. This retreat is designed just for you. In our countryside haven you will have the solitude to focus on your craft, bolstered by group meditation, gentle yoga, woods walks, and the opportunity for one-on-one mentoring and guidance. Each day has structure—but no requirements. Making amazing progress? Stay at your desk and keep writing. Done for the day? Join like-minded people as you explore your craft together.
"I made amazing connections—but being able to work with no distractions and no cell phone service: Perfect."
“The beauty, The serenity. The food! It’s hard to limit to just one thing. I am grateful for the entire experience”
BRING A FRIEND DISCOUNT: Do you know someone who would like this program, but hasn't been to the Center? Bring them, and you both get a 10% discount on your entire program package. For the discount to apply, there must be two reservations, at least one of whom has not taken a Dharmakaya Center class previously. At checkout, apply the Discount Code: BringAFriend. May not be combined with an Early Bird Discount.
SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE: We are pleased to be able to offer partial scholarships for this program. Please apply here.
PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
This retreat is designed to nourish both the creative mind and the soul. Whether you are seeking structured support for your writing or the freedom to immerse yourself in solitude, our retreat provides the ideal environment to reconnect with your craft.
Each day begins in silence, with an optional morning meditation or yoga session, held in our sun-dappled Meditation Hall or Outdoor Practice Pavilion overlooking the woods. These gentle practices help clear the mind, spark creativity, and set a focused intention for the day ahead. After a nourishing breakfast, you can retreat to your chosen workspace—be it your room, the library, or a bench in our 90 acres of woods.
The full morning is set aside as a writing block to ensure uninterrupted time to immerse in your work.
Afternoons invite deeper creative exploration through additional writing time, meditation sessions, yoga, or mindful walks through scenic trails. Optional coaching sessions provide individualized guidance, encouragement, and constructive feedback. Whether you need help overcoming writer’s block, refining your voice, or plotting your next novel, our expert coach, Minna Proctor, is here to support your journey.
Evenings offer the chance to share work in a relaxed setting, connect with fellow writers, or simply unwind beneath the stars.
Whether you seek solitude or community, structure or freedom, this retreat is a sanctuary, providing the private space and quiet environment—free from the distractions of everyday life—for you to engage in your writing practice.
PERSONAL MANUSCRIPT COACHING
The objective of an individual coaching session will be to emerge with a clear and feasible set of next steps and a strong articulation of what your project is and where you are in the process
Includes reading up to 10,000 words
After 100 pages, please calculate an additional $100 per 100 pages
For projects that don’t fit into these parameters, feel free to contact Minna through retreats@dharmakayacenter.org with questions
Manuscripts should be delivered 1-2 days before the coaching session
EVENT HIGHLIGHTS
Intimate setting with personal access to the teacher
Interactive sessions with question and answer periods
Shamatha and guided meditations
Gentle yoga
Delicious all-vegetarian meals with locally sourced ingredients
Option to extend stay on Personal Retreat
Extensive library of dharma books
Expansive wooded grounds with beautiful paths, flora and fauna
OPEN TO ALL
There are no prerequisites for this program; it is appropriate for all.
SCHEDULE
(subject to change)
Friday, August 1
3:00 PM
Check in begins
6:00-7:00 PM
Dinner
7:15-9:15 PM
Welcome and Introduction
Discussion on Retreat Mind
Opening Meditation
Silence Begins
10:00 PM
Lights Out
Saturday, August 2-Thursday, August 7 (all activities optional)
7:00-8:00 AM
Gentle Yoga Practice (Saturday, Monday, Wednesday)
7:30-8:00 AM
Morning Salutations and Meditation (Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday)
8:00-9:00 AM
Breakfast (in silence)
9:00 AM-12:00 PM
Creative Time
12:00-1:00 PM
Lunch (silence ends)
1:30-3:30 PM
Work with Manuscript Coach (daily; additional fee)
3:30-4:30 PM
Guided Meditation
4:30-6:00 PM
Woods Walk (Saturday, Monday, Wednesday)
4:30-6:00 PM
Gentle Yoga Practice (Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday)
6:00-7:00 PM
Dinner
7:00-9:00 PM
Opportunity to share work aloud
Fire Pit (weather permitting)
9:00 PM
Silence Begins
10:00 PM
Lights Out
Friday, August 8
7:30-8:00 AM
Morning Salutations and Meditation
8:00-9:00 AM
Breakfast
9:00-11:00 AM
Creative Time
11:00 AM-12:00 PM
Group Discussion/Sparklets
Closing Ceremony
12:00-1:00 PM
Lunch
1:00 PM
Checkout and Departure
Verified
