Exploring The Way
A 5-day residential retreat with Henry Shukman
Mount Madonna Center, California
May 19–24, 2026
In Person
Join Henry for a 5-day retreat that offers a gentle and supportive immersion into practice. Guided meditations and teachings, intimate Q&As, and a friendly community all generate the ideal conditions to deepen and enrich our practice.
Through meditations, teachings and communal sitting, we’ll gradually uncover what it means to explore The Way as direct, lived experience.
Surrounded by redwoods and mountain views, Mount Madonna Center is a natural container for deeper inquiry — whether it’s your first residential retreat or your twentieth, Exploring The Way meets you exactly where you are.
Our schedule offers as much support as you need, with movement and breakout groups available throughout, as well as solo time to wander the land, rest and restore.
Note from Henry
There’s something that happens on a residential retreat that can’t quite happen anywhere else. When we commit to days of practice together – sitting, walking, eating, connecting, and sometimes in quiet the usual chatter of the mind can settle in a deeper way that allows us to come home to our original nature, also known as “the way.”
I’m delighted to offer this retreat at Mount Madonna Center, a place I’ve come to love for its beauty and its capacity to hold deep practice. This retreat offers as much support as you need, for all levels. Whether this is your first residential retreat or you’re a seasoned practitioner, I look forward to exploring this path with you.
What to expect at a residential retreat
The retreat includes daily meditations and dharma teachings from Henry, extended Q&A sessions, and some periods of noble silence. All meals are vegetarian.
Most importantly, five days allows the kind of settling that reveals what shorter retreats cannot generally touch – you’ll have time to begin living what you learn, while immersing yourself in the support of shared practice.
Retreat Schedule
Here’s what students have said about Henry’s teaching
Here’s what students have said about Henry’s teaching
About Mount Madonna
Center
Mount Madonna Center sits on 380 acres of redwoods atop a mountain overlooking Monterey Bay. The setting itself supports practice — ancient trees, mountain views, and the grounding quiet that comes with elevation and distance from daily life.
Accommodations
Mount Madonna Center has a wide range of comfortable accommodations. You’ll be able to select your preferred housing option and see pricing when you register for the retreat.
Nourishing Vegetarian Meals
All meals are vegetarian, prepared with fresh, high-quality ingredients – organic and local whenever possible. The kitchen can accommodate most dietary needs, including gluten-free and dairy-free requests.
Getting to Mount Madonna Center
Mount Madonna Center is located in the Santa Cruz Mountains, approximately two hours south of San Francisco. The closest airports are San José (SJC), San Francisco (SFO), and Oakland (OAK).
For detailed directions and information about shuttle services, visit Mount Madonna Center’s Transportation page.
About your teacher
Henry Shukman
Henry is an authorized Zen Master in the Sanbo Zen lineage, the co-founder of The Way meditation app, and the Spiritual Director Emeritus of Mountain Cloud Zen Center in Santa Fe, New Mexico.
In addition to teaching meditation, Henry is an award-winning author and poet. His struggles and traumatic experiences as a youth, combined with a spontaneous awakening experience at 19, and decades of practice training, paved the way for Henry to develop a well-rounded approach to healing and awakening through meditation.
Event Details
Retreat cost: $1965 to $3365 depending on accommodations
Dates: May 19–24, 2026
Where: Mount Madonna Center in Santa Cruz County, California
Our retreats are a beautiful complement to your journey along The Way. For any app questions, email info@thewayapp.com
Questions?
If you have any questions about this retreat, please contact Jeremy, our Retreats Manager at jeremy@thewayapp.com.
We’re happy to assist and look forward to answering your questions.
Cancellation policy
Cancellations made at least thirty (30) days before May 19, 2026 are fully refundable. Cancellations made less than thirty (30) days but more than seven (7) days prior to May 19, 2026 incur a cancellation fee equal to fifty percent (50%) of the total reservation amount. No refunds will be given for cancellations made less than seven (7) days in advance of the start date of your reservation.
