April 16-19th 2023
4 days and 3 nights of meditation and stillness in the beautiful "Playhouse" located in Lee Massachusetts
'We will greet the transformation of the season by transforming our minds.
Please join me for a meditation retreat this spring.
Enjoy the natural beauty of the Berkshire mountains from this completely restored iconic property that once was part of the Vanderbilt Estate. This was the first property in the world powered by AC electricity, thanks to George Westinghouse, who built it. The grandeur of the Playhouse will be the backdrop for our time together. Morning walks, meditation and asana classes will be followed by freshly prepared breakfast and spicy chai.
The opportunity for self-reflection is rare these days! You will enjoy easing into stillness in the mind,
even if you have little to no experience with meditation.
We will cook very simple meals together- The food we eat will support your stillness.
We will practice asana together- The movement will clear your mind.
We will walk in nature- The landscape and pranas will elevate your energy.
Silent retreats can be daunting- but you will be guided kindly into the amazing experience of silence. We won't be in complete silence, instead we will be practicing functional silence- we will speak when we need to during the day and will have a satsang at night (time to share and ask questions). You will be amazed at what a relief it is to not keep up conversations and chatter. You might even be amazed at how your mind settles and your body responds to this unfamiliar but necessary state of being.
Read some reviews from our silent retreat this past September held in Asbury Park NJ-
Totally amazing and interesting and I'm glad I did it!
It was a safe environment to be quiet with a flock of others practicing meditation and functional silence. (Pass me the salt) I enjoyed eating in silence and the simple meals.
Resting was important as I detoxed the mind. I made sure to lie down during the Rest times.
It was wild experiencing how we knew how to communicate with our eyes, hand movements, and bodies. If all else failed, limited functional words came into play.
If you are drawn to this opportunity but are simply a bit daunted by some of the possible challenges, I’d say strongly consider going for it! I was in this category (daunted) and while I can’t say that every single moment was easy peasy, many, many moments were quite special.
If you think you want to do something like this, know that you can do it. And the souvenirs are great. I have returned home feeling fortified, with clearer vision and better decision-making skills.
Please join me for a meditation retreat this spring.
Enjoy the natural beauty of the Berkshire mountains from this completely restored iconic property that once was part of the Vanderbilt Estate. This was the first property in the world powered by AC electricity, thanks to George Westinghouse, who built it. The grandeur of the Playhouse will be the backdrop for our time together. Morning walks, meditation and asana classes will be followed by freshly prepared breakfast and spicy chai.
The opportunity for self-reflection is rare these days! You will enjoy easing into stillness in the mind,
even if you have little to no experience with meditation.
We will cook very simple meals together- The food we eat will support your stillness.
We will practice asana together- The movement will clear your mind.
We will walk in nature- The landscape and pranas will elevate your energy.
Silent retreats can be daunting- but you will be guided kindly into the amazing experience of silence. We won't be in complete silence, instead we will be practicing functional silence- we will speak when we need to during the day and will have a satsang at night (time to share and ask questions). You will be amazed at what a relief it is to not keep up conversations and chatter. You might even be amazed at how your mind settles and your body responds to this unfamiliar but necessary state of being.
Read some reviews from our silent retreat this past September held in Asbury Park NJ-
Totally amazing and interesting and I'm glad I did it!
It was a safe environment to be quiet with a flock of others practicing meditation and functional silence. (Pass me the salt) I enjoyed eating in silence and the simple meals.
Resting was important as I detoxed the mind. I made sure to lie down during the Rest times.
It was wild experiencing how we knew how to communicate with our eyes, hand movements, and bodies. If all else failed, limited functional words came into play.
If you are drawn to this opportunity but are simply a bit daunted by some of the possible challenges, I’d say strongly consider going for it! I was in this category (daunted) and while I can’t say that every single moment was easy peasy, many, many moments were quite special.
If you think you want to do something like this, know that you can do it. And the souvenirs are great. I have returned home feeling fortified, with clearer vision and better decision-making skills.
Schedule
Sunday
Welcome/move-in/orientation- 3:00-4:00 pm Dinner- 5:30-6:30 Evening Satsang- 7:00 pm Monday Meditation/walk (self led) or sleep late- 6:30 am Tea/coffee - 7:00 am Asana (Ayurvedic Yoga/ gentle)- 8:00-9:00 am Prepare breakfast/eat - 9:15-10:15 am Meditation session- 10:30-11:30 pm Rest- 11:45-12:45 Prepare/eat Lunch-1:00-2:00 pm Movement/walk/free time- 2:30-5:00 pm Preparing/eat dinner- 5:00-6:30 pm Meditation- 7:00-7:20 pm Satsang- 7:30 pm |
Tuesday Meditation/walk (self led) or sleep late- 6:30 am Tea/coffee - 7:00 am Asana (Ayurvedic Yoga/ gentle)- 8:00-9:00 am Prepare breakfast/eat - 9:15-10:15 am Meditation session- 10:30-11:30 pm Rest- 11:45-12:45 Prepare/eat Lunch-1:00-2:00 pm Movement/walk/free time- 2:30-5:00 pm Preparing/eat dinner- 5:00-6:30 pm Meditation- 7:00-7:20 pm Satsang- 7:30 pm Wednesday Tea/coffee - 6:30 am Movement/meditation session- 7:00- 10:00 am Brunch- 10:15-11:30 am Closing |
Menu
We will be cooking and eating kitchari, dal, sauteed greens, rice, fruit, salad, chai.
The spices will be mild and nurturing. We keep a sattvic diet and will see how that reflects in our minds.
We will be cooking and eating kitchari, dal, sauteed greens, rice, fruit, salad, chai.
The spices will be mild and nurturing. We keep a sattvic diet and will see how that reflects in our minds.
Costs:
Commuter- $600
Dorm style stay at the playhouse- $750
Shared room at the playhouse- $850
Private room at the playhouse- $1000
You may prefer to reserve off site lodging (commuter cost)
Payment can be made via venmo or check.
Deposits (1/2 cost) will be required to hold your spot.
One workstudy opportunity is available. Click here to request more information
To see more photos of the house please click here
Important things to note:
All scheduled events are optional. You attend what you would like.
Dorm style stay might be air mattresses or sofa beds in the shared spaces of the yoga studio and library
Shared and private rooms do not have ensuite bathrooms. The house has 4 full bathrooms with showers, all are shared.
Lodging at the Playhouse is limited. There are options to rent nearby houses or hotels that are just a few minutes drive away.
Because of the initimate nature of a retreat we are requiring all participants show a negative rapid Covid test 12 hours prior the retreat.
**Allergen allert:
There will not be any typical allergens used. However if you are concerned about the ingredients, please contact Bonnie.
All scheduled events are optional. You attend what you would like.
Dorm style stay might be air mattresses or sofa beds in the shared spaces of the yoga studio and library
Shared and private rooms do not have ensuite bathrooms. The house has 4 full bathrooms with showers, all are shared.
Lodging at the Playhouse is limited. There are options to rent nearby houses or hotels that are just a few minutes drive away.
Because of the initimate nature of a retreat we are requiring all participants show a negative rapid Covid test 12 hours prior the retreat.
**Allergen allert:
There will not be any typical allergens used. However if you are concerned about the ingredients, please contact Bonnie.
Save your spot!
Attendance is limited. Rooms in the Playhouse will be available on a first come first served. A deposit of 50% is required to hold your spot. Deposits can be made via check, venmo or paypal. If after sending in your deposit you find you are unable to attend, your deposit will be refunded in full if we are able to fill the spot your deposit was holding. If you need to cancel less than 2 weeks before the start of the retreat you will be responsible for filling that spot to secure a refund. If you are unable to fill the spot no refund will be given except for medical or family emergency.
It is recommended that if you are going to stay in another place near the Playhouse you reserve soon. (Staying off-site will give you more privacy if you don't want to share a space, or be around the retreat participants all of the time, or if there is no room left at the Playhouse).
Attendance is limited. Rooms in the Playhouse will be available on a first come first served. A deposit of 50% is required to hold your spot. Deposits can be made via check, venmo or paypal. If after sending in your deposit you find you are unable to attend, your deposit will be refunded in full if we are able to fill the spot your deposit was holding. If you need to cancel less than 2 weeks before the start of the retreat you will be responsible for filling that spot to secure a refund. If you are unable to fill the spot no refund will be given except for medical or family emergency.
It is recommended that if you are going to stay in another place near the Playhouse you reserve soon. (Staying off-site will give you more privacy if you don't want to share a space, or be around the retreat participants all of the time, or if there is no room left at the Playhouse).
