“Wake Up Sleepy Buddha: The Buddhist Path in Practice”
Retreat at MENLA
Feb 4th - 7th, 2027
This retreat introduces core Buddhist practices beyond mindfulness in a way that is accessible, experiential, and rooted in traditional wisdom. It is welcome to both newer meditators and those with an established practiced who are looking for a clear orientation or refresher.
The retreat offers a grounded, experiential introduction to the broader Buddhist path, emphasizing direct practice, integration into daily life, and trust in our innate capacity for awareness and compassion - our buddha nature. Rather than focusing on doctrine, scholarship, or religious identity, the teaching remain rooted in traditional sources while meeting the realities of contemporary life.
Participants will explore a survey of integrated practices drawn from across the Buddhist spectrum, including contemplation, concentration, compassion, and insight. These practices are presented in contemporary language while honoring their traditional roots and interrelationship.
This retreat offers a clear, grounded bridge between introductory mindfulness and the living heart of Buddhist practice.
This retreat is well-suited for meditators, therapists, helpers, and anyone seeking depth without dogma, and a clear bridge between mindfulness and the living heart of Buddhist practice.
What it includes:
Lodging: 3 nights/4 days. Menla, a 330-acre retreat and destination spa in the Catskills (Phoenicia, NY), offers a wide variety of accommodations. Options range from upscale, private hotel-style rooms to budget-friendly shared cabins and nature camping. (read more).
Meditation Sessions: daily morning, afternoon, & evening meditations/discussions (full schedule below)
Food: All meals included. Menla's food is a delicious, plant-based and farm-to-table wellness cuisine. Meals are served buffet style and crafted primarily from seasonal, organic ingredients harvested directly from their on-site organic garden and locally sourced farms. (read more)
Detailed Retreat Schedule
Thursday, February 4
3 - 6 pm Arrival & Check In
6 - 7 pm Dinner
7:30 - 9 pm Welcome Session -Brief overview of Buddhist Path
Motivation/Intention & Precious Opportunity Contemplations
Discussion and direct practice
Dedication of Merit discussion
Friday, February 5
7 - 7:30 am Optional Early Practice Session: Introduction to Tsa Lung Trulkhor (optional morning practice)
8 - 9 am Breakfast
9:30 am -12 pm - Morning Session: Elaborate overview of Buddhist Path and Practices
Introduction of Refuge, Generating Bodhicitta
Introduce concept of Unconditional Love via cross section of Modern Attachment
12:30 -1:30 pm Lunch
2 - 5:30 pm - Afternoon Session: Basic Mindfulness
Advances Concentration through the Stages of Asanga’s Elephant Path
6 - 7 pm Dinner
7:30 - 9 pm - Evening Session: Introduction of Tantric Visualization Practices
Introduction of Guru Yoga & direct practice
Saturday, February 6
7 - 7:30 am Optional Early Practice Session: Tsa Lung Trulkhor Practice Session (optional morning practice)
8 - 9 am Breakfast
9:30 am -12 pm - Morning Session: Introduction of Emptiness/Insight Practices
Contemplations Meditations
Emptiness of Self Direct Investigation Practice
Revisit Mindfulness
12:30 - 1:30 pm Lunch
2 - 5:30 pm - Afternoon Session: Emptiness of Thought
Emptiness of Sensory Experiences
Emptiness of Emotional Experiences
Practicing Mindfulness with the Field of Awareness itself as the object)
All phenomena as empty practice
6 - 7 pm Dinner
7:30 - 9 pm - Evening Session: Revisit afternoon insight practices
Sunday, February 7
7 - 7:30 am Optional Early Practice Session
Tsa Lung Trulkhor Practice Session (optional morning practice)
7 - 11 am Check out of rooms
8 - 9 am Breakfast
9:30 am -12 pm - Closing Session: Review of program
Bringing all practices together
Program closing
12:30 - 1:30 pm Lunch & Departure
*Please note this schedule is subject to change.
Retreat Facilitator:
Noel Coakley
BCCP Founder, Psychotherapist, Meditation Teacher
Noel (he/him) is a mental health counselor and former school teacher (special ed.). He has been practicing meditation since 1996, initially with Indo-Tibetan traditions and then Yundrung Bön. Noel has been fortunate to learn from over 100 teachers, including HH the Dalai Lama and HH the 34th Menri Trizin.
Beyond his professional life, Noel is a loving father, husband, brother, musician, and friend to his dog, Clementine.
Interested in the retreat but want to touch base?!
Let’s chat! Book a FREE 15 minute call to touch base about the 2027 Menla Retreat