Journey Within Silent Retreat
With John Henderson
April 11 - 14, 2026
RETREAT BY INVITED PRESENTER
Profound peace comes from wordless silence. This retreat will explore “spiritual listening” with Noble Silence. There will be meditations and journaling, woods walks and mindful eating, and daily teachings, all within the embrace of silence.
“The concept of a silent retreat invited real fear—confirmation that I needed to take the leap. I will be forever thankful that I did...This retreat has ignited a change in me that no zen newsletter, meditation app, or therapy session could. I wish the same for you.”
PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
You are besieged by noise. The outside world is filled with the clatter of phones, television, news, conversations, traffic, machines. And sometimes your internal world is even louder, as you ruminate about an email you sent ten minutes ago, an argument you had ten days ago, a bad financial decision you made ten years ago. Yet, quieting your mind is a challenge.
Let us provide the container—the ideal conditions—for you to sink deep within and break free from your mental chatter. With guided meditations and teachings, group practice, yoga, journaling, time in nature, and plenty of “down time,” we provide a relaxing, supportive, distraction-free atmosphere for your inner journey—which will foster a more present, calm, and balanced approach to life.
RETREAT CENTER HIGHLIGHTS
- Intimate setting with personal access to the teacher
- Shamatha and guided meditations
- 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)
Saturday, April 11
| 3:00 PM | Check in begins |
| 6:00-7:00 PM | Dinner With Conversation |
| 7:15-9:15 PM | Welcome and Discussion prior to entering Noble Silence |
| Silence Begins | |
| Guided Meditation | |
| Gentle and Restorative Yoga |
Sunday, April 12
| 7:30-8:00 AM | Morning Salutations and Meditation, optional |
| 8:00-8:45 AM | Breakfast, Eating Meditation |
| 9:00-10:30 AM | Morning Learning and Meditation |
| 10:30-11:30 AM | Gentle and Restorative Yoga |
| 12:00-1:00 PM | Lunch |
| 1:30-3:00 PM | Afternoon Learning and Meditation |
| 3:30-4:45 PM | Woods Walk (weather permitting) |
| 4:45-6:00 PM | Personal Reflection |
| 6:00-7:00 PM | Dinner |
| 7:30-8:30PM | Evening Learning and Meditation |
Monday, April 13
| 7:30-8:00 AM | Morning Salutations and Meditation, optional |
| 8:00-8:45 AM | Breakfast, Eating Meditation |
| 9:00-10:30 AM | Morning Learning and Meditation |
| 10:30 AM-12:00 PM | Personal Reflection |
| 12:00-1:00 PM | Lunch |
| 1:30-3:00 PM | Afternoon Learning and Meditation |
| 3:00-4:00 PM | Personal Reflection |
| 4:00-5:00 PM | Gentle and Restorative Yoga |
| 6:00-7:00 PM | Dinner |
| 7:30-8:30PM | Evening Learning and Meditation |
Tuesday, April 14
| 7:30-8:00 AM | Morning Salutations and Meditation, optional |
| 8:00-8:45 AM | Breakfast |
| 9:00-11:30 AM | Morning Learning and Meditation |
| Q&A | |
| Closing Circle | |
| 12:00-1:00 PM | Lunch with conversation |
| 1:00 PM | Checkout and Departure |
Teacher
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…
Learn more about John Henderson
