Releasing and Greeting the New Year with Dhamma

This seven-night silent meditation retreat at Cloud Mountain in Castle Rock, Washington, marks the turn from one year to the next with Dhamma teachings and sustained practice. Led by Santikaro in the Theravada Buddhist and Vipassana traditions, it offers a quiet alternative to the stimulation and excess that often surround the New Year. Beginners and experienced students are both welcome.

What to Expect

The emphasis is mindfulness of breathing, used to build inner composure and clarity so that the nature of mind and body can be investigated directly. Teachings also follow the ebbs and flows of body energy, sensations, and mind. Reflections on change, time, life, death, renewal, letting go, compassion, and selflessness inform the practice throughout.

Most of each day is given to sitting and walking meditation, with teacher talks and periods for reflection. Noble Silence is observed, and meals are taken in silence. Within that quiet there is room for Q&A, personal practice interviews, and optional group reflection circles for those who want to explore the retreat's themes with others. Qigong and posture work are offered for anyone who would like them.

The retreat opens with arrival, check-in, an introduction to the structure of the days and Noble Silence, and an evening meditation. The middle days follow the daily rhythm of sitting, walking, talks, and interviews. On the seventh day there are closing teachings and reflections, and a gradual transition out of silence. Participants depart the following morning.

Santikaro

Santikaro is the teacher of this retreat. He guides the Dhamma talks, Q&A, and personal practice interviews, and offers foundational instruction in mindfulness and breath awareness that suits newcomers while leaving depth for long-time practitioners.

The Setting

Cloud Mountain is a retreat center in Castle Rock, Washington, described by its community as a safe refuge. The retreat includes seven nights of accommodation and three meals a day for the full length of the stay. Travel to and from the center is not included.

Before You Go

This retreat is open to all levels, and instruction is given in English. Partial attendance is not offered, so plan to be present for the whole retreat.

Participants are asked to consider attending only if their lives allow them to stay offline and off phone and text for the entire retreat, a modern form of renunciation that is central to the practice. Exceptions for pressing family situations may be granted.

Cloud Mountain maintains public health and safety protocols that vary by season. Some level of masking continues to be required on retreat.

Registration is offered at three tiers, and scholarship funds are available for those facing financial challenges. In keeping with Buddhist tradition, none of the registration fee goes to the teacher. Teacher dana, freely offered giving, is given at the event to support the teacher's livelihood and is not part of the fee. The retreat is currently on a waitlist.