8th Annual Hudson Valley
Fall Retreat
with Megan Mook and Jackie Stewart
Rest and Release
A Weekend of Deep Ease and Connection
WON Dharma Center
Hudson, NY
October 17-19, 2025
Join us in the Hudson Valley
During One of its Most Glorious Seasons!
Dear friends, I’m thrilled to welcome Jackie Stewart back to the Annual Hudson Valley Fall Retreat!
Jackie and I love teaching together, and we can’t wait for this year’s retreat!
What To Expect
Sunset Meditations overlooking the Catskills. Thoughtful Dharma Talks. Crisp Mountain Air. Meandering Hikes. Evening Sound Meditation. Gentle Yoga. Ruby Red Leaves. Heart-Opening Meditations. Garden Fresh Food.
This Year’s Theme:
Rest and Release
A Weekend of Deep Ease and Connection
Initial stages of practice and development often start with effort, focus, and concentration. Subsequent stages of practice and development often emphasis letting go and “non-effort.” In Dharma talks and guided practice, we’ll discuss what “non-effort” means; how it works within a formal meditation practice; and how we can use it as a guiding spiritual principle in our daily life.
This retreat is designed to help you learn to practice deeply through ease and rest, as opposed to strain and rigidity. Expect a carefully curated curriculum that skillfully balances group practice with personal downtime, in a beautiful and nurturing environment.
The Dharma teachings, meditation, and yoga will be suitable for all levels.
Friday Afternoon / Evening
• 2:00 - 3:30 PM — Arrive, Explore, and Settle In
• 4:00 PM — Orientation and Welcome Hike. This gentle hike offers a time to transition into retreat. The trail meanders through forests and meadows with stunning views of the Catskills.
• 5:30 PM — Dinner
• 6:30 - 9:00 PM — Meditation watching the sunset over the mountains. Retreat Overview. Stretching. Gentle Sound Meditation.
Saturday
• 7:30 - 8:00 AM — Morning Compassion Meditation
• 8:00 AM — Breakfast
• 9:15 - 11:30 AM — Meditation and All-levels Yoga
• 12:30 — Lunch
• 1:30 - 3:00 PM — Free time: Hike. Connect with Friends. Read. Journal. Lay A Blanket in the Grass. Nap. Self-Practice.
• 3:00- 5:00 — Afternoon Meditation and Dharma Talk
• 5:30 PM — Dinner
• 6:30 - 8:30 PM — Sunset Meditation Over Looking the Catskills, followed by Sound Meditation, Restorative Yoga, or Yogic Breathing - maybe all three!
Sunday
• 7:30 - 8:00 AM — Morning Compassion Meditation
• 8:00 AM — Breakfast
• 9:00 - 9:30 AM — Pack Up
• 9:30 - 12:00 PM — Meditation; All-levels Yoga; Closing
• 12:30 — Lunch
• 1:30 — Departure
ACCOMODATIONS AND RATES
Camping — Lovely wooden platforms under the trees and close to dorms with bathrooms, showers, and a common area. You provide your own tent, etc. $450
Quad — A fan favorite. Spacious rooms with four beds. Gender Separate. $650 per person.
Double — Two twin beds. Perfect for friends and couples. We can also pair you with a roommate which is another popular option. $800 per person.
Single — Spacious rooms with a single twin bed. $1,200
If you haven’t been to Won, the architecture is one of the best parts. The main practice hall has soaring ceilings and floor to ceiling windows over looking the mountains. The dorms are modern and airy with expansive wrap-around decks, perfect for enjoying the mountain views. Each dorm has an interior court yard, a common area with a tea station, and multiple modern bathrooms.
Won Dharma Center has over 400 acres of hiking trails that meander through forests and meadows. The trails feature stunning views of the Catskills with thoughtfully placed benches — there’s even a hidden river. The nights are quiet and star filled. The vegetarian food is fresh from the garden and lovingly prepared by the resident Buddhist ministers. Expect a Korean flare and delicious kimchi. Vegan and gluten free options are readily available.
PAYMENTS AND SCHOLARSHIPS
Deposit: $400 to hold your room. We highly recommend that you reserve your spot early as this retreat tends to fill up quickly.
Final Payment Due: Sept 26
We have a small amount of partial need-based scholarships. Priority is given to BIPOC, LGBTQ, and current students. Apply for a scholarship here.
TO REGISTER
1) Fill out the Registration Form below.
2) Submit Your Deposit via Venmo, PayPal, or Zelle
3) Once we receive your deposit, we’ll send you an email confirming your spot and room choice.
PAYMENT METHODS
Venmo: @Megan-Mook. PayPal and Zelle: MeganMook@gmail.com.
If you know us and are comfortable using the “Friends and Family” feature (as opposed to “Paying for Goods/Service” feature), this helps us save on processing fees.
FOR GENERAL INQUIRIES
Email: hello@meganmook.com
GETTING THERE
WON Dharma Center
361 State Route 23
Claverack, NY 12513.
• WON Dharma Center is located 15 minutes from downtown Hudson and the Amtrak station
• By Amtrak: 2 hours from NYC, Hudson stop. If you’ve never taken this train ride, it’s stunning.
• By Car: 2.5 hours from NYC or Boston
• 40 minutes from the Albany Airport
HELPFUL NOTES
• We recommend arriving at the center between 2:00 - 3:00 PM so that you have time to find your room and settle in before the orientation and opening hike.
• Kitty’s is a general store, cafe, and full service restaurant directly across the street from the Hudson train station.
• Best to book Amtrak early. Tickets can sell out, and they tend to get more expensive closer to the date of travel.
• The 15 minute cab ride from Hudson to WON Dharma Center costs about $15. We’ll help connect you with other retreatants to share a ride.
• Hudson is a fun town to explore with many cafes, restaurants, galleries, and boutiques. Downtown Hudson is a 10 minute walk from the train station, and a 15 minute car ride from WON Dharma Center.
• If you’re driving and planning on exploring Hudson, bring quarters for street parking.
• 3 weeks before the retreat, we’ll send out a comprehensive packing list with general travel information, including a ride share.
