The Garrison Institute, located on a bluff overlooking the Hudson River in the midst of the dramatic Hudson Highlands, hosts more than 60 contemplative retreats and events each year. Programs are led by distinguished teachers who explore a wide range of wisdom traditions with the understanding that contemplative practice is an effective force for personal and social change. The retreats take place in a renovated monastery one hour north of Manhattan, offering a place of refuge where people can withdraw from the business of daily life and refresh themselves.       

Summer 2012 programs begin with The Creative Joy Retreat for women from June 28 to July 2. It features creative yoga, meditation, writing and photography workshops designed to enhance mindfulness and tap into the stream of joy that dwells in everyone. Next, the renowned teacher Lama Surya Das presents a Summer Blossoming Retreat, from July 21 to 29, with Tibetan Buddhist teachings on recognizing the mind’s pure nature.        

The Garrison Institute’s Personal Retreat Weekend takes place from August 3 to 5, allowing silent, unstructured personal retreat time for meditators with a developed practice who seek renewal in a serene environment. Later that month, the CARE for Teachers Summer Retreat, from August 10 to 15, aims to help teachers better manage their own emotions and those of their students with professional development training that promotes mindfulness through contemplative practices.   

The summer ends with Living in the Light of Divine Sanity: A Retreat for People of Color, with Gina Sharpe, from August 31 to September 2. Sharpe invites everyone who self-identifies as a person of color to join her in this unique opportunity to experience spiritual community, meditate together and deepen inner freedom. See all retreats listed at GarrisonInstitute.org/calendar.

The Garrison Institute is located at 14 Mary’s Way, Rt. 9D, in Garrison. Call 845.424.4800 or visit GarrisonInstitute.org for more information.