One Buddhism: Practicing Peace in Times of Turmoil

June 9 - 13, 2026

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Arrival: June 9th 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM

Departure: June 13th 12:30 PM

Tuition:
Dana based: $0 + 4 nights lodging

Meals & drinks included
Inc. V, VG, GF

Add extra nights at 50% off

Tuition:
Dana based: $0 + 4 nights lodging

Meals & drinks included
Inc. V, VG, GF

Add extra nights at 50% off

About the Retreat

Work on yourself so you’re better able to help others? Help others for your own inner development? Yes and yes: these are not the different approaches of the great Buddhist traditions, but rather their common underlying wisdom.

This joint monastic/secular-led retreat centers on the unifying practices and teachings that weave through all of the great traditions: the cultivation (bhavana) of heart and mind—caring and balance, mindfulness and intentionality—to further our aspirations for peace and wisdom. The dharma of Buddhism in all its flavors encourages us to cultivate these qualities in our inner lives, our relationships and communities, and in our turbulent, conflicted collectivity.

Join us for this five-day immersion in the core teachings and practices that lie within, across, and beyond the boundaries of Theravada/Mahayana/Vajrayana; Soen/Zen/Chan; Insight/Vipassana/Shambala; spiritual/religious/secular. Through meditation, inquiry, and group discussion, we’ll bring a spirit of creativity and self-agency into our spiritual practice and understanding. Together, we’ll tease out from the rich tapestry of Buddhist dharma the common underlying threads—as we cultivate the peace and wisdom that this dharma points us towards for our personal and collective flourishing.

What to Expect

On this retreat we’ll share…

  • Guided and silent meditation periods (seated, standing, and moving)
  • Integrative movement and relaxation sessions
  • Periods of social silence (“noble” silence) alternating with periods of mindful conversation, dialogue, and group discussion
  • Free time for rest, reflection, and exploring the beautiful land at DMC
  • “Interviews” (one-on-one meetings with Monk Peter and Santi)
  • Evening dharma talks with Monk Peter and Santi

Why Attend This Retreat?

This retreat aims to deepen your engagement with Buddhist teachings and practices through an approach attuned to the wisdom that all the Buddhist traditions share: that our inner states of heart and mind, the conduct of our relationships, our group and community lives, and the condition of our societies are inextricably intertwined. Through embodied practice, sustained reflection, and thoughtful communication, the retreat offers a unique opportunity for you to renew and expand on your path of personal development. Whatever the dharma background you bring—whether you’re new to Buddhist meditation and ideas, or you’re a long-standing, experienced practitioner; whether you identify closely with a particular tradition, movement, or faith, or consider yourself entirely secular, you’ll come away from this retreat refreshed and equipped with new dharma resources for moving forward in your life.

FAQs

Is this a silent retreat? Is conversation allowed?
Yes to both questions. The retreat will alternate between periods of social (“noble”) silence and periods of mindful conversation and group discussion.

Do I need meditation experience to attend?
No, beginners are welcome. That said, experienced practitioners are also welcome. The idea will be to develop a self-directed, flexible, creative approach to practice—whether your practice is brand-new or well-established.

Do I need a background in Buddhism?
No. Participants are welcome from any background or depth of experience in Buddhism. We’ll all be enriched by the diversity of perspectives our fellow participants will offer.

How about other kinds of diversity?
We welcome you in all of your identities, including race, gender, economic and class status, sexual orientation, ethnicity, religion, physical and cognitive ability, political orientation, body type, birth order, or other identities that have shaped your life experience and outlook

How intense will this retreat be?
We’ll aim for a balance of challenge and ease as we practice towards an ideal of effortless effort. Our schedule will provide ample time for meditation practice, but also for relaxation and rest

Any particular restrictions to keep in mind?
We strongly encourage you to approach the retreat as a “media fast,” abstaining from cell phone and computer use for the duration of the retreat.

Retreat Faculty

Monk Peter

Monk Peter (Venerable Pisit Sopakdithapong) is a Theravada monk based in Thailand. After a twelve-year career in business, he realized that the worldly pleasure, status, and security he’d been seeking was not bringing him true happiness. Indeed, he’d come to feel “empty and dead inside.” In search of something better, he began to meditate and [...]

Michael Santi Keezing

Michael Santi Keezing was a monk (bhikkhu) in the Thai forest tradition, a meditation-centered branch of Theravada Buddhism. He lived for eight years as a monastic, and six as a fully-ordained monk, in monasteries, as a wanderer, and in traditional and Western lay-Buddhist communities. Prior to ordination, he lived a varied adult life of writing, [...]

Lodging

We have several accommodations to choose from during checkout.
All options include our healthy meals and drinks. Inc V, VG, GF.

Off Land
Participants who wish to commute from home or arrange their own accommodations off-campus (for example, a bed and breakfast, camping nearby)  pay tuition, plus $54/night for meals (3 meals per day) and use of our facilities.

Car Camping
We have 5 primitive parking spots in the Rigden parking lot, for simply parking and sleeping. This includes food and access our bathhouses in Rigden Lodge
Note: We don’t have any water or electric hook ups for RV’s.

Single and Double Tents

Located in campgrounds throughout the property, these 12′ x 14′ tents have two twin beds, two bookcases and a hanging clothes rack.* Each campground offers a shared bathhouse. Summer platform tents are available from late May through early September. A tent can be rented as a single (without a roommate) or a double (with a roommate).

Some of our campgrounds were impacted by a recent wildfire and the affects may still be visible this summer, however, they are safe to use.

Bedding is not provided. Please bring your own twin sheets, blanket or sleeping bag, a pillow and towels.

Dormitories
Rooms with beds for up to 7-8 people. Gender-segregated with men in their own dorm and women in another. The dorms use a shared bathroom down the hall, which is also equipped with shower stalls.

Monk Rooms
A cost-effective option for participants looking for indoor, solitary lodging, but who don’t mind using a shared bathroom or are looking for a more affordable retreat solution. These rooms are in the same hall as the Ridgen Dormitories, but offer more privacy than the dorms. In addition to a bed, bedding, a private room and closet, the monk rooms also have a large window and a desk and desk chair for added comfort.

Single and Double Rooms
The perfect choice for a retreat where you want both your own space and your own bathroom. Each room offers a little more space, a dresser and closet, and a 3/4s bathroom (toilet, sink, and shower, no bathtub) attached to each room.

Junior Suite
Our Lodge Junior Suites include a queen-size bed topped by a cozy comforter, a desk, dresser, closet and private bath with bathtub, plus a sitting area.

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