191 Cragsmoor Road; Cragsmoor, New York 12566
Up to 20 in group
November 6 - 8, 2026
About this Retreat
John Henderson has studied Buddhist philosophy and practiced meditation for over 30 years, as a senior student of the Dharmakaya Center’s founder, Rimay master Trungram Gyalwa Rinpoche. In 2025, his son (and only child) died in traumatic circumstances; he has deep firsthand knowledge of grief.
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)
Rabbi Ben Newman embodies mindful Judaism, intertwining over 20 years of study in Jewish and Buddhist wisdom teachings. As a singer-songwriter and storyteller, he enhances contemplative practices with heartfelt chanting and melodies from his guitar, ukulele, and harmonium. An ordained rabbi since 2006, Rabbi Ben founded the Shtiebel in the Rivertowns, promoting inclusive spiritual experiences. His books, such as The Ten Precepts: a Jewish-Buddhist translation of the Ten Commandments, showcase his deep commitment to spiritual exploration. Beloved by learners of all ages, his children's tales also captivate hearts. Studying worldwide, from Japan to renowned rabbinical colleges, Rabbi Ben's rich tapestry of knowledge makes him an unparalleled guide for spiritual study.
http://www.rabbibennewman.com
Details of this retreat
A Weekend Retreat on Living With Loss
A DHARMAKAYA CENTER RETREAT
Grief is not a problem to be solved.
It is not a pathology, a failure of resilience, or a detour from “the work.”
It is the natural consequence of loving fully in a world where nothing stays.
This retreat is for people living with loss of any kind: the death of someone beloved, the end of a relationship, a change in health, the loss of work, identity, direction, or a version of the future that no longer exists. It is not trauma therapy or psychological treatment. Instead, we offer a steady, humane, spiritually grounded space to tell the truth about grief and learn how to carry it without being crushed by it.
“John was fantastic. His teaching has changed my life for the better.”
"Ben provided the opportunity to learn and connect in a gentle and healing environment—an invitation into ritual and meaning that I will carry forward into my daily life."
BRING A FRIEND DISCOUNT: Do you know someone who would benefit from 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 other discounts.
SCHOLARSHIPS: Partial scholarships may be available for this program. Please write retreats@dharmakayacenter.org for more information.
PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
Loved ones die. Relationships end. Health falters. Dreams and goals become permanently unattainable. Loss is central to the human experience—and its natural result is grief, anger and even despair. It can feel overwhelming; breaking free and moving forward may feel impossible. Yet, sometimes, the ache we feel in our hearts holds a sacred wisdom, patiently waiting for us to listen. And sometimes, the easing of the heart comes from simply naming and accepting your losses.
Join us for a weekend retreat in which we explore how to hold painful experiences with acceptance, mindfulness, and self-compassion; release painful thoughts and feelings; and find a tender kindness for yourself amidst all that hurts.
Drawing on Buddhist and Jewish wisdom, poetry, silence, and shared reflection, this weekend explores grief as a teacher rather than an enemy. We’ll look closely at the difference between fierce love and clinging, between grief and trauma, between honoring what was and demanding that it return. We will not be focused on “letting go” in the abstract, but on learning how to stay present with what remains.
There will be guided meditation, poetry, journaling, gentle teaching, time in the woods, and structured group conversation. There will also be space. Real space. Nothing is rushed. Nothing is forced.
What This Retreat Is — and What It Is Not
Is: contemplative, spiritual, grounded, honest, human
Is: interfaith and accessible, rooted in lived experience
Is not: group therapy, trauma processing, or self-help cheerleading
Is not: about fixing you, curing grief, or rushing you toward closure
Grief doesn’t disappear. But it can be carried with dignity, honesty, and even tenderness. This retreat is an invitation to practice that together.
EVENT HIGHLIGHTS
Intimate setting with personal access to the teachers
Interactive sessions with question and answer periods and small group discussion (opt-in)
Personal and guided meditation sessions, sitting and walking meditation
Poetry and brief teachings from Jewish and Buddhist traditions
Gentle yoga
Journaling and personal reflection
Time in nature; expansive wooded grounds with beautiful flora and fauna
Delicious all-vegetarian meals with locally sourced ingredients
Option to extend stay on Personal Retreat
Extensive library of dharma books
OPEN TO ALL
Open to practitioners of any spiritual background (or none at all), this retreat is for:
People actively grieving
People whose grief is old, but still present
People who want spiritual language that doesn’t bypass reality
People who don’t want platitudes, timelines, or fixes
If grief has made you quieter, sharper, slower, or more tender — you belong here.
SCHEDULE
(subject to change)
Friday, November 6
3:00 PM
Check in begins
6:00-7:00 PM
Dinner
7:00-8:30 PM
Opening Circle: Why We're Here
Welcome and Introduction
Naming grief without analysis
Guided Meditation
Setting shared agreements for presence and care
10:00 PM
Lights Out
Saturday, November 7
7:30-8:00 AM
Morning Salutations and Meditation
8:00-9:00 AM
Breakfast
9:30-11:00 AM
Grief and Fierce Love
Grief vs Trauma
Love in the present moment
Short poetry reflection
11:00 AM-12:00 PM
Gentle Yoga Practice
12:00-1:00 PM
Lunch
2:00-3:30 PM
Memory as Blessing
Sharing stories, people, and losses
Jewish and Buddhist perspectives on remembering
Small-group discussion (optional)
3:30-6:00 PM
Personal Practice, Woods Walk, Reflection, and Rest
6:00-7:00 PM
Dinner
7:00-8:30 PM
Grief as a Teacher
Evening Meditation
Reflection on greif as a messengert
Gentle closing for the day
10:00 PM
Lights out
Sunday, November 8
7:00-8:00 AM
Silent Group Forest Walk
8:00-9:00 AM
Breakfast
9:30-11:00 AM
Living with Grief
What changes, what doesn't
Gratitude, memory, and meaning
How grief continues without dominating
11:00 AM-12:00 PM
Closing Circle
Shared reflections and closing practice
12:00-1:00 PM
Lunch
1:00 PM
Checkout and Departure
Verified
Last Chance
