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This 10-night Tranquil-Insight Meditation retreat is a residential retreat. All retreats are led by Dr. Saccānanda Mahāthera and takes place at our lovely retreat facility in the Westbury, Long Island, New York. The quiet and spacious facility is split around area. 

Participants will be instructed and guided in the practice of tranquil-insight meditation. This is the method taught by the Buddha and described in the earliest Buddhist texts. Tranquil-insight meditation is ideal for beginning students or advanced meditators seeking to cultivate greater wisdom and insight. Learn meditation here.

Dr. Saccānanda Mahāthera's retreats are neither difficult nor a test of endurance, but rather a joy-filled journey on the middle path of clarity and wisdom. Each evening, he gives an instructional talk based on early Buddhist texts along with anecdotes of his personal experiences. A daily one-on-one personal teacher interview provides each participant with individualized guidance and instruction. ​The retreat program provides an integrated and supportive environment for optimizing meditation practice. Eight precepts comprising a code of moral conduct are maintained during the retreat, which is conducted in mindful silence with an emphasis on ease and lightheartedness.

The retreat facility is located 20 minutes of the JFK Intl Airport, New York. You can drive yourself otherwise you can inform us for picking you up.

This is a non-profit retreat. Dr. Saccānanda offers teaching and guidance freely and without payment any kind. Retreat fees only cover the mortgage, electricity, heating, food and other expenses and from the retreat. All donations to  Brahma Vihāra are welcome and essential to continue functions at the monastery.

Accommodations
Comfortable occupancy basement hall are available. There are 6 beds are available where 6 retreaters can stay together. We accept only 6 retreaters once a time. 
The full price for 10 days retreat is $600. Includes access to a new bath and shower facility, a twin bed with linens, blankets, and towels.

Registration
 A $60 initial deposit is required for a reservation. 
  1. Complete and submit the online registration form by clicking the button below.
  2. Your registration will be processed in the order received.
Pay Fees by Credit Card or PayPal

Single or Double = $60 Nightly
Deposit $60 - Applies to first night of Retreat  
Deposits are fully refundable until 30 days before start of retreat.
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Food
The dining room offers indoor seating for up 15 people. Breakfast (cereals: hot and cold, eggs, toasts, pancakes- Dairy and Non-Dairy option) and lunch are served buffet style. Two meals are served daily at 7:00 and 11:30 AM that include either vegetarian or meat/fish entrees with a gluten-free options. Hot and cold beverages including tea, hot chocolate, and coffee are available. Refrigerated food storage is available to those with special dietary needs. Please let us know only if it is a medical need.
Arrival and Departure
If you are driving, plan to arrive at BVMC between 1:00 and 4:30 pm on the first day to check in. Parking is available at our Center. Find the retreat manager in the Meditation hall, do some paperwork and then get settled in your sleeping place. The retreat will end after the morning meditation and breakfast on the last day of the retreat.
Arrival by Air
Out-of-town participants requiring ground transportation to and from the retreat center should request a local shuttle or the BVMC shuttle at extra cost to get to BVMC. 
Arrival by Car
Please arrive between 1 & 4:30 pm on the first day of your retreat. Locate the retreat manager to be assigned your Room and do your paperwork.
Detailed Information
What to Wear:The weather in New York is typically warm and sunny with warm nights and in winter season cold. Only light coats at most. Temps are from 55F at night to 95F at 3pm during mid-summer. Rain is likely so be prepared and bring an umbrella. We have them available her, just in case.

Bring comfortable, loose-fitting clothes, such as sweat pants with elastic waistband. Be prepared with layers that can be added or removed. Comfortable slip-on shoes are appropriate for walking around the compound. Headgear, such as a hat with a brim, and sunglasses are handy for sunny days. Bring a shawl or small blanket to wrap up in. All available here.
 
What to Bring for Meditation:
Chairs for sitting will be provided in the meditation hall. You may wish to bring your own special chair, if desired, along with meditation cushions or pillows. We have a large supply of futons and cushions for the floor.
 
Other Necessities to Bring:
Bed linens, blankets, and towels are provided by the center. You may want to bring a special personal pillow or blanket, if desired. Bring personal toiletries (toothpaste, bath soap, sunscreen, Kleenex, etc), flashlight or headlamp and extra batteries and a water bottle. There will be a notification bell to announce meals and group gatherings.

What to Leave at Home:
Do not bring valuables, nonprescription drugs or alcohol. Do not bring food, unless you have made prior arrangements with the retreat manager for accommodation of medically required special dietary needs.
 
Avoid using scented cosmetics or perfumes that may be allergic to others. Reading and writing are discouraged during this training period, except during the evening dhamma talks by Dr. Saccānanda. You may take notes. Candles, incense, and smoking are not allowed in any rooms. 
 
Clocks and Phones:
Please attend to personal matters before coming so a not to hamper progress in mediation. To support the practice of silence, participants’ cell phones and tablets, and computers will be collected at the beginning of the retreat and held in a secure area until breakfast on the last day of the retreat. 
 
Emergency Phone Numbers:
There is no public phone on the facility. If your family needs to reach you in an emergency, they may call these emergency contact numbers:
Retreat Teacher, Dr. Saccānanda Mahāthera cell phone: 646-600-0385

Simplicity and Renunciation
Meditation retreats offer a sacred space that is protected and removed from the world. They allow participants a rare opportunity to look deeply inside, quiet the mind, and open the heart. Often the most beneficial and rewarding experiences of spiritual life happen at a meditation retreat. The sheltered and quiet setting is a key element that enables participants to develop patience, steadfastness, loving-kindness, generosity, joy, and wisdom.

This is your chance to go deep inside. It is a personal journey and it's best if you leave friends at home unless they are truly interested in the meditation and know what an intense retreat involves. A retreat is about being only with yourself and your own exploration - not being distracted by anything else.

Also, this is only about meditation and we will try to support your diet but it isn't a place to fast or try a different diet then you are used to. More of the rules are listed in the Do's and Don'ts.
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These are the seeds that grow insight, compassion, and happiness. Participants are requested to let go of concerns for daily life and embrace an attitude of simplicity and renunciation by adopting a traditional spiritual practice that is called “taking what is offered.”

Taking What is Offered
  1. Taking Any Residence – whatever quarters are offered. We ask participants to happily accept the accommodation assigned and continue to practice in this spirit throughout the retreat.
  2. Taking Food that is Offered – Happily accepting food that is offered is part of the practice. The cook lovingly prepares tasty and nutritious meals. Gluten-free alternatives will be available for those with medically required dietary restrictions. Participants with other special dietary needs may arrange with the retreat manager to bring supplemental food items with them to the retreat. Food items are prohibited in rooms and the meditation hall.
  3. Silence – In fostering an atmosphere of contemplation and meditation, participants are expected to embrace the practice of silence during the retreat. Living in silence is the practice of observing within and not communicating with others. This includes reading or writing, using telephones, computer, email, or text messages. Talking is permitted during the evening dhamma talks and teacher interviews. Inquiries about the retreat may be directed to a retreat manager or whenever necessary in the case of an emergency or a specific need that arises.
  4. Serving the Community – After Breakfast there will be a Yogi-Job for 30 minutes in which the main purpose is to bring the meditative practice to daily life. It may include sweeping, weeding or other cleaning tasks.
The retreat is organized and managed by volunteers as a community service. Dr. Saccananda Mahathera freely gives the teachings and his time to be of service to the Buddha, the Dhamma (the teachings), and the Sangha (the community).

  Dates Available

  • Retreats Open from January - December 2023 -go ahead and do an application and check off "waiting list" and you will be notified
 Dr. Saccānanda Mahāthera
Dr. Saccānanda is a distinguished  Bangladeshi Buddhist monk with more than 21 years of meditation practice. He is regarded as a master meditation teacher leading Tranquil-Insight Meditation retreats in Asia and North America.
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​He founded the Brahma Vihāra Meditation Center in Westbury, Long Island, New York, United States of America. 
Dr. Saccānanda Mahāthera

      ​Practice Schedule
All retreatants are required to be present and seated in the meditation hall for the 5:30 AM and 6:30 PM sessions. A daily 10-minute teacher interview will be scheduled for each person. During practice periods, retreatants will balance periods of sitting and walking meditation to suit their individual needs. Indoor and outdoor meditation practice is encouraged.  
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DAILY SCHEDULE_________
 5:00 am     Wake up
 5:30 am      Sitting meditation
 7:00 am      Breakfast
 7:30 am      Yogi Job
 8:00 am      Self-directed meditation
 9:00 am      Interviews
11:30 am     Lunch
 1:00 pm      Self-directed meditation
 6:00 pm      Tea time 
 6:30 pm      Dhamma talk 
 8:00 pm      Self-directed meditation
10:00 pm     Further practice or sleep

Map
Brahma Vihāra Meditation Center 
​26 Hicksville Rd,
Westbury, NY 11590