Exploring The Way
A 5-day residential retreat with Henry Shukman
Mount Madonna Retreat Center, California
May 19–24, 2026
In Person
Join Henry for a 5-day retreat that offers a true immersion: extended meditation, dharma teachings, a friendly community, and the conditions for deep insight to arise naturally.
Through meditation, teaching, and the particular quiet of residential practice, we’ll uncover what it means to explore The Way: not as a concept or belief, but as direct, lived experience.
The beautiful redwoods and mountain views of Mount Madonna provide a natural container for this explorative and enriching inquiry.
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, attentively and 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, a place I’ve come to love for its beauty and its capacity to hold deep practice. 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, dharma teachings from Henry, extended Q&A sessions, and periods of noble silence. Meals are vegetarian and taken together as part of the practice.
Most importantly, five days allows the kind of settling that reveals what shorter retreats cannot touch – you’ll have time not just to hear the teachings, but to begin living them, while immersing yourself in a committed community of meditators.
Here’s what students have said about Henry’s teaching
Thank you for creating this nourishing space. Our practice together revealed a place of deep authenticity, opening to ease and acceptance – which remains an anchor throughout my days since.
This was my first time sitting in shared stillness with so many others and it was absolutely magical.
I loved listening to Henry, the guided meditation and meditating with this sangha. The atmosphere had beautiful lightness and depths and I still feel it inside.
About Mount Madonna
Retreat Center
Mount Madonna 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
Mount Madonna 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’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 Retreat 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@thewayapp.com.
We’re happy to assist and look forward to having you join us!
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.
