Realizing The Way
A 3-day residential retreat with Henry Shukman
Mount Madonna Retreat Center, California
October 8–11, 2026
In Person
Join Henry this October at Mount Madonna, where guided meditation, dharma teachings, and extended Q&A create space for practice to deepen naturally. You’ll sit alongside others committed to the same exploration, discovering what emerges when we give ourselves the rare gift of sustained time.
Surrounded by redwoods and mountain views, Mount Madonna provides a natural container for practice. Whether this is your first residential retreat or your twentieth, Realizing The Way meets you exactly where you are. The schedule offers structure without rigidity, with time for both communal sitting and solo wandering.
Note from Henry
The moment we try to realize something, we’ve already moved away from it. This retreat is an invitation to explore that paradox: what happens when we stop seeking awakening and simply sit with what’s here?
I’m grateful to return to Mount Madonna this October. The redwoods and mountain quiet provide the perfect setting for this inquiry.
What to expect at a residential retreat
The retreat includes daily meditation, dharma teachings from Henry, and extended Q&A sessions. You’ll practice within a committed community of meditators, with Teaching Assistants available for added support throughout.
Our schedule offers structure and flexibility — communal sitting, optional movement sessions and breakout groups, with ample solo time to wander the land, rest, and restore.
Retreat Schedule
Thursday, October 8th |
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Thursday, October 8th3:00pm - 6:00pm |
Thursday, October 8thArrival and check-in |
Thursday, October 8th5:15pm - 6:15pm |
Thursday, October 8thDinner |
Thursday, October 8th7:15pm - 7:30pm |
Thursday, October 8thOpen silent sit |
Thursday, October 8th7:30pm - 8:30pm |
Thursday, October 8thWelcome with Henry: orientation and guided meditation |
Thursday, October 8th8:30pm - 8:50pm |
Thursday, October 8thOptional Q&A for first time retreatants with Luke & Shana |
Thursday, October 8thFriday, October 9th |
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Thursday, October 8th7:30am - 8:30am |
Thursday, October 8thMorning movement & silent meditation |
Thursday, October 8th8:30am - 9:30am |
Thursday, October 8thBreakfast |
Thursday, October 8th10:00am - 12:00pm |
Thursday, October 8thSession with Henry (guided meditations, talk, Q&A and silence) |
Thursday, October 8th12:00pm - 12:30pm |
Thursday, October 8thBreakout Q&A Session with Shana and Luke |
Thursday, October 8th12:30pm - 1:30pm |
Thursday, October 8thLunch |
Thursday, October 8th1:30pm - 3:00pm |
Thursday, October 8thOpen self-guided practice time (outdoor walking, self-guided movement, open sitting, integration) |
Thursday, October 8th3:00pm - 5:00pm |
Thursday, October 8thSession with Henry |
Thursday, October 8th5:15pm - 6:15pm |
Thursday, October 8thDinner |
Thursday, October 8th6:30pm - 8:00pm |
Thursday, October 8thOpen self-guided practice time (sunset walk, self-guided movement, open sitting, integration) |
Thursday, October 8th8:00pm - 8:45pm |
Thursday, October 8thEvening meditation |
Thursday, October 8thSaturday, October 10th |
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Thursday, October 8th7:30am - 8:30am |
Thursday, October 8thMorning movement & silent meditation |
Thursday, October 8th8:30am - 9:45am |
Thursday, October 8thSession with Henry |
Thursday, October 8th10:00am - 11:00am |
Thursday, October 8thBrunch |
Thursday, October 8th11:30am - 12:00pm |
Thursday, October 8thOutdoor walking |
Thursday, October 8th12:00pm - 1:00pm |
Thursday, October 8thSession with Henry |
Thursday, October 8th1:00pm - 2:00pm |
Thursday, October 8thSnack |
Thursday, October 8th2:30pm - 3:00pm |
Thursday, October 8thOpen silent sit |
Thursday, October 8th3:00pm - 5:00pm |
Thursday, October 8thSession with Henry |
Thursday, October 8th5:15pm - 6:15pm |
Thursday, October 8thDinner |
Thursday, October 8th7:00pm - 8:45pm |
Thursday, October 8thOpen self-guided practice time (sunset walk, self-guided movement, open sitting, integration) |
Thursday, October 8thSunday, October 11th |
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Thursday, October 8th7:30am - 8:30am |
Thursday, October 8thMorning movement & silent meditation |
Thursday, October 8th8:30am - 9:30am |
Thursday, October 8thBreakfast |
Thursday, October 8th9:30am - 10:15am |
Thursday, October 8thCheckout from rooms |
Thursday, October 8th10:15am - 12:15pm |
Thursday, October 8thSession with Henry |
Thursday, October 8th12:30pm - 1:30pm |
Thursday, October 8thLunch |
Thursday, October 8th*Schedule subject to changes |
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
Center
Mount Madonna sits on 380 acres of redwoods and grasslands overlooking Monterey Bay. Ancient trees, mountain quiet, and distance from daily life create a beautiful container for sustained practice.
Accommodations
Mount Madonna Center has a wide range of comfortable accommodations. You’ll be able to select your preference 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: TBD
Dates: October 8–11, 2026
Where: Mount Madonna Center in Santa Cruz County, California
Subscribers of The Way enjoy a discount for this retreat. Find the discount code in the Events section of your app.
Questions?
If you have any questions about this retreat, please contact Jeremy, our Retreats Manager at info@thewayapp.com.
We’re happy to assist and look forward to answering your questions.
Scholarships
We warmly welcome you to contact us if a scholarship would allow you to attend this retreat.
Please contact our Jeremy at info@thewayapp.com for details.
First access for Realizing The Way
Registration is not open for this retreat just yet. Join the list to be amongst the first to know when registration opens.
