Being Human Takes Practice

What if meditation isn't about emptying your mind or achieving some blissful state—but about understanding yourself more deeply? Over three days at the beautiful Omega Institute in Rhinebeck, NY, meditation teacher and bestselling author Jeff Warren guides you into the lived experience of being human through the mirror of meditation practice. Whether you're a seasoned practitioner, a curious skeptic, or someone who's never sat on a cushion before, this retreat invites you to discover how the simple act of paying attention reveals everything about who you are and how you relate to the world.

This isn't a retreat built on spiritual promises or a one-size-fits-all method. Jeff Warren, coauthor of the widely loved Meditation for Fidgety Skeptics, leads an exploration into the real obstacles we face—resistance, overthinking, emotional rigidity—and shows how meditation becomes a laboratory for learning flexibility, clarity, and compassion. Through sitting practice, group dialogue, and time moving through Omega's natural landscape, you'll uncover practices that genuinely resonate with your nervous system and temperament. By the end of the weekend, what unfolds on the cushion becomes inseparable from the texture of your ordinary life.

What to Expect

This three-day meditation retreat weaves together multiple practices and approaches, designed so every participant finds what works. You'll spend time in guided sitting meditation, exploring different techniques for concentration and insight. Interspersed throughout are group discussions that bring the abstract into the personal—conversations about how meditation relates to emotional flexibility, how we show up in relationships, and what it means to live with equanimity and kindness. The Omega grounds provide natural rhythm and spaciousness; time outdoors becomes part of the practice itself.

Jeff Warren's teaching style honors both skeptics and believers. Rather than prescribing dogma, he offers a range of practices and creates permission for you to notice what your mind and body actually respond to. Over the three days, foundational meditation skills—concentration, clarity, equanimity, and compassion—reveal themselves as essential to emotional and spiritual well-being. Participants leave with practical tools, a deeper sense of self-awareness, and the recognition that meditation has infinite expressions.

Venue & Logistics

The retreat takes place at Omega Institute in Rhinebeck, NY, Friday, August 14–16, 2026. Omega is a renowned retreat center nestled in the Hudson Valley, offering comfortable accommodations, nourishing vegetarian meals, and an atmosphere of peace and intention. Wear comfortable clothing suitable for sitting and moving. The event welcomes all experience levels, from complete beginners to long-time practitioners. Please check Omega's website for accessibility information and accommodation options.