191 Cragsmoor RoadCragsmoor, New York 12566
March 6 - 8, 2026
About this Retreat
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
Gaining Balance and Positivity Through Awareness
A DHARMAKAYA CENTER RETREAT
Why meditate? For many, the answer is to find inner balance and to cultivate a positive outlook. Discover how and why in this engaging weekend. Using an easy-to-digest approach, we will discuss key Buddhist concepts and meditation practices. You will leave understanding how to develop—and sustain—a practice that is unique to your goals for greater peace and happiness.
"Absolutely fantastic! John taught the dharma in a way that was accessible and understandable to everyone."
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
The Buddhist teachings on impermanence, selflessness, inter-dependence, morality, compassion, karma and awareness (to name a few) all help point us toward a life of greater peace, clarity and happiness. But what are they? How do they work together? What is the role of meditation?
This engaging weekend program of interactive teachings and discussions will provide an in-depth discussion of Buddhist concepts and how they work together as a unified spiritual path. Meditation sessions throughout the weekend allow us to experience the teachings directly—and understand how different types of meditation lead to different discoveries and understandings.
The weekend will include:
Meditation: Instruction on how to meditate, and a range of practices including stillness meditation, guided meditation, walking meditation and analytical meditation.
Teachings: An overview of Buddhist concepts, philosophy and morality, including awareness, selflessness, compassion, wisdom, and impermanence. We will also explore the Three-Moment Method™, designed by Trungram Gyalwa Rinpoche, a practical tool that can be deployed in real time—at the Third Moment™—to recognize harmful emotions and let them go.
Discussion: Interactive questions and engagement help everyone get the most out of our time together
Three-Moment Method™: Designed by Trungram Gyalwa Rinpoche, this practical tool can be deployed in real time—at the Third Moment™—to recognize harmful emotions and let them go.
Ultimately, you will discover how meditation practice affects our daily lives even when not sitting on the cushion—and how to make practice a living part of everything you do.
When not in a program session, relax in the Center’s beautiful and tranquil environment. Enjoy the view from the patio, take a walk through our 98 acres of woods, curl up with a book in the library or contemplate the stars while sitting by the fire pit.
EVENT HIGHLIGHTS
Intimate setting with personal access to the teacher
Interactive sessions with question and answer periods
Personal 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 flora and fauna
OPEN TO ALL
There are no prerequisites for this program; it is appropriate for meditators at all levels and those simply interested in exploring the teachings.
SCHEDULE
(subject to change)
Friday, March 6
3:00 PM
Check in begins
6:00-7:00 PM
Dinner
7:30-8:30 PM
Welcome and Introduction
Calming Meditation Techniques
Saturday, March 7
7:00-8:00 AM
Morning Salutations and Meditation
8:00-9:00 AM
Breakfast
9:30 AM-11:30 AM
Teaching and Meditation
12:00-1:00 PM
Lunch
1:00-2:00 PM
Personal time
2:00-3:00 PM
Gentle Yoga
3:00-5:00 PM
Teaching and Meditation
6:00-7:00 PM
Dinner
7:30-9:00 PM
Evening Meditation in Milarepa Hall, optional
Sunday, March 8
7:00-8:00 AM
Morning Salutations and Meditation
8:00-9:00 AM
Breakfast
9:30 AM-11:00 AM
Teaching and Meditation
11:00-11:30 AM
Wrap-up
12:00-1:00 PM
Lunch
1:00 PM
Checkout and Departure
Verified
Last Chance