The Road to Freedom
With Ananta and Samayasri
November 17 - 20, 2023
RETREAT BY INVITED PRESENTER
Join us for a long weekend exploring the Road to Freedom. What does freedom look like? How is it different for different people? What steps can you take to become free? We will explore the Buddha’s motivation to find freedom beyond the mundane nature of this world, beyond the extremes of pleasure and pain. We’ll also consider what freedom means for us in its different manifestations, and how our freedom is integrally bound up with the freedom of others.
Led by Samayasri and Ananta, two senior order members who are experienced teachers and practitioners, this 3-day residential retreat is offered in the context of meditation, reflection and community as key aspects of practice to support freedom and awakening.
“The healing food, meticulous surroundings, respectful staff and the deep, deep sense of community were transformative. This retreat helped me rediscover what matters to me in life.”
STAY SAFE DURING COVID-19: To allow for ease and peace of mind during the retreat and transport to the retreat, the Council of Triratna NY / NJ will follow the CDC guidelines on infection prevention current at the time of the retreat. All who attend will be expected to present a negative COVID-19 test result taken on the day the retreat begins prior to admission to the retreat.
EVENT HIGHLIGHTS
- Instruction and support from highly experienced teachers
- A thoughtful balance of meditation, yogic practices, contemplation, ritual and rest periods
- A supportive and friendly community of practitioners
- Access to individual meditation support if needed
- Q&A with teachers
- 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 walking paths, flora, and fauna
- Single rooms for all (option for couples to share)
OPEN TO ALL
Meditation: This retreat will be most suitable for people with meditation experience. Beginner instruction will not be offered during the retreat, but individual support will be available as needed.
Mindful Movement: no experience needed, very accessible.

SCHEDULE
(subject to change)
Friday, November 17
3:00 PM | Check in begins |
6:00-7:00 PM | Dinner |
7:00-9:00 PM | Group Introduction |
Welcome, Introductions & Dedication Ceremony |
Saturday, November 18-Sunday, November 19
6:30-7:00 AM | Breathing (yogic practices) |
7:00-7:50 AM | Refuges & Precepts, First Sit |
7:50-8:00 AM | Leg Stretch |
8:00-8:30 AM | Second Sit |
8:30-9:30 AM | Breakfast |
10:00 AM-12:00 PM | Morning Practice & Teaching Session |
12:00-1:00 PM | Lunch |
1:00-3:00 PM | Personal Time |
3:00-4:00 PM | Breath & Body (yogic practices) |
4:00-6:00 PM | Afternoon Practice & Teaching Session |
6:00-7:00 PM | Dinner |
7:30-9:00 PM | Evening Practice & Devotion |
Monday, November 20
6:30-7:00 AM | Breathing (yogic practices) |
7:00-7:50 AM | Refuges & Precepts, First Sit |
7:50-8:00 AM | Leg Stretch |
8:00-8:30 AM | Second Sit |
8:30-9:30 AM | Breakfast |
10:00-11:30 AM | Morning Practice & Teaching Session |
11:30- AM- 12:00 PM | Closing Circle |
12:00-1:00 PM | Lunch |
1:00 PM | Checkout and Departure |
Teachers
With 25-years of practice experience within the Triratna Buddhist Community, Ananta has received guidance and inspiration from many incredible teachers. He has spent over three years on retreat, and undertook ordination training in 2007, being ordained (spiritually reborn) as Ananta—he who is boundless. A leading teacher of Triratna New York and of the Triratna US & Canada Men’s ordination training team, he has been guiding meditation sessions and retreats since 2005. He also trained and became a certified Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction teacher through the Mindfulness Center at Brown University, and has studied other mindfulness modalities such as for pain,…
Learn more about Ananta
Samayasri is an experienced Order Member in Triratna who has served as Chair of the NY-NJ Sangha for many years. She also serves as President of the San Francisco and Vancouver, BC Sanghas. Samayasri is a dedicated practitioner, teacher and leader. She has taught meditation for over 20 years, and has a deep commitment to her ethics and confession practice. Her practice directly informs her career in global humanitarian & development organizations, within which she has learned to face deeply into suffering.
Learn more about Samayasri