NURTURING SELF-COMPASSION
WITH MEGAN MOOK & JACKIE STEWART
WON Dharma Center
October 20-22, 2023
Megan and I can’t wait to welcome you to the Hudson Valley during one of its most glorious seasons!
You’ll find our theme, Nurturing Through Self-Compassion, thoughtfully integrated into each part of the experience.
Here’s what to expect:
Crisp Mountain Air. Sunsets over the Catskills. Golden Leaves. Meandering Hikes. Thoughtful Yoga. Sound Meditation. Unique Dharma Talks. Heart-Opening Meditation. Garden Fresh Food. And (very) Nice People.
Friday Afternoon / Evening
• Arrive, Explore, and Settle In
• Brief Orientation and Welcome Hike — Let the earth absorb the stress of daily life as we ground ourselves on one of Won’s most scenic trails.
• Dinner
• Sunset Meditation Over the Catskills. Opening Ceremony / Retreat Overview. Gentle Sound Meditation.
Saturday
• Morning Meditation: Loving-Kindness
• Breakfast
• All-levels Yoga and Meditation
• Lunch
• Free time — Hike. Lay a blanket in the grass. Connect with friends. Read. Journal. Nap.
• Afternoon Meditation and Dharma Talk
• Dinner
• Sunset Meditation Over Looking the Catskills, followed by Sound Meditation, Gentle Stretching, or Dharma Talk - or maybe all three!
Sunday
• Morning Meditation: Loving-Kindness
• Breakfast
• All-levels Yoga and Closing Meditation
• Lunch
• Departure
Accommodations and Rates
Camping — Lovely wooden platforms located under the trees and close to the facilities. $450
Quad — A fan favorite. Spacious rooms with four beds. Gender Separate. $600
Double — Two twin beds. Perfect for friends and couples. We can also pair you with a roommate, which is another popular option. $800
Single — These spacious rooms are what I imagine a monk’s room would be like (in a really modern, award-winning designed monastery). $1,200
If you haven’t been to Won, the architecture is one of the best parts. The dorms are modern, airy, and spacious with expansive wrap-around decks (perfect for star gazing). Each dorm has an interior court yard, a common area, and multiple modern bathrooms.
There are over 400 acres of hiking trails meandering through forests and meadows, complete with scenic overlooks and a hidden river. The nights are quiet and star filled. The food is fresh from the garden and lovingly prepared by the resident Buddhist ministers. Expect a Korean flare and delicious kimchi.
Payments and Scholarships
Deposit: $350 to hold your room. We highly recommend that you reserve your spot early. This retreat tends to fill quickly, and there are a limited amount of available Quads and Singles.
Final Payment Due: September 30
We have a small amount of partial, need-based scholarships. Priority is given to LGBTQ, BIPOC, and current students. Apply for a scholarship here.
We provide scholarships out of our teaching fee.
If you’d like to contribute to our scholarship fund, you can do so here!
Even small donations can have a big impact.
Getting There
• WON Dharma Center is located 15 minutes outside of Hudson, New York.
• By Amtrak: 2 hours from NYC, Hudson stop. If you’ve never taken this train ride, it’s stunning. Tickets get more expensive closer to the date, and can sell out on weekends.
• By Car: 2.5 hours from NYC or Boston
• 40 minutes from Albany Airport
Helpful Notes
• We’ll connect you with other participants to share a cab from the train station.
• We recommend arriving at the center between 1:00 - 3:00 PM as the orientation and group hike is at 4:00 PM. Taking the time to settle in and hike before dinner / evening practice makes a world of difference.
• If you’re driving from NYC, remember to tack on extra time for Friday afternoon traffic, depending on what time you leave.
• Hudson is super chic and fun to explore. The center of downtown is a 10 minute walk from the train station. And there’s a cute restuarant/cafe just across the street from the station. If you’re driving, you’ll need quarters for street parking.
