Approaching Silence: A Weekend with Henry Shukman
Approaching Silence: A Weekend with Henry Shukman
Friday, October 2nd (evening) – Sunday, October 4th (afternoon)
In-Person and Online – LIVE ONLY
This isn’t a silent retreat. It’s a retreat about silence.
Many of us come to practice longing for a little more quiet in our lives, yet silence is not something we can force or rush into. It is something we learn to recognize, trust, and receive.
This retreat invites us to become curious about silence — to explore it from different angles and approaches. Henry will weave together guided meditations, poetry, Zen wisdom, and shared quiet to investigate how open curiosity can help us enter the stream of silence. Together, we’ll return to a simple, open awareness that deepens our relationship with silence—and see how that silence, in turn, can quietly transform our lives.
*While not designed as a residential retreat, there is a limited number of private onsite lodging available through our “personal retreat” program. Lodging will be available on a first-come first-served basis, for participants wishing to stay 2 nights or more. (One-night stays are not available for this weekend.)
Please also note that lunch is provided for the Saturday of this retreat, but otherwise you will be responsible for your own groceries.
Learn more about Personal Retreats here, and if you are interested in lodging with us for this retreat reach out directly to Grant and residency@mountaincloud.org.
Format
- Hybrid — join in-person or online
- Seating will be “amphitheater style” in the zendo, with most participants sitting in chairs, with limited zabuton & zafu options.
- This retreat is LIVE ONLY, to maximize the intimacy of the retreat — it will not be recorded.
- Non-residential retreat (lodging is limited at Mountain Cloud, and available on a first-come first-served basis).
- Retreat includes guided meditation and Q&A — this is not a silent retreat
- Vegetarian lunch provided by Mountain Cloud on Saturday
Fee
Online: $160
In-Person: $320 (includes lunch on Saturday)
*This retreat will not be recorded.
Schedule
Friday, October 2
7:30-8:30pm: Session with Henry
Saturday, October 3
8:30-9:30am: Optional silent sitting with the Mountain Cloud community, two rounds
10:00am-12:00pm: Session with Henry
12:00-2:00pm: Lunch/Rest/Walking (Vegetarian lunch provided by Mountain Cloud)
1:30 – 2:00pm: Optional Silent Sitting
2:00 – 4:00pm: Session with Henry
4:15 – 4:45pm: Optional Silent Sitting
Sunday, October 4
8:30-9:30am: Optional silent sitting with Mountain Cloud community, two rounds
10:00am-12:00pm: Session with Henry
About Henry
Henry Shukman is Spiritual Director Emeritus at Mountain Cloud Zen Center. He joined the center as Guiding Teacher in 2010, bringing new fervor to the teaching at the center and fostering new programs. He then became Spiritual Director. Between 2010 and 2023, Henry has contributed greatly to the Mountain Cloud you see today.
He has trained with several Zen teachers, particularly the roshis Joan Rieck, John Gaynor, Ruben Habito and Yamada Ryoun Roshi, as well as with teachers and mentors in other traditions. Henry has received dharma transmission (inka shomei and sanmotsu) from Yamada Ryoun Roshi, Abbot of Sanbo Zen, and is a Shōshike (Authentic Zen Master) of the Sanbo Zen lineage of Kamakura, Japan. In addition, Henry is an award-winning author and poet. His struggles as a youth, combined with a spontaneous awakening experience at 19, paved the way for him to develop a well-rounded approach to spirituality and meditation, under the guidance of his teachers – one that includes both compassionate concern for the sufferings of the world and the great liberating power of awakening as its foundation. Henry is the founder and teacher of the Original Love Program, a comprehensive non-sectarian guide to meditation practice, and is the co-founder and teacher of the meditation app, The Way.
Learn more about Henry’s latest book – Original Love, his meditation app – The Way, workshops and current projects at www.HenryShukman.com
