Practicing kindness and compassion in our families, our communities, and our society

A Retreat with Our Founding Dharma Teachers Fern and Michael

In a time of reckless violence and cold hatred, we must be diligent in walking the path of peace and kindness.

During this retreat we will water the seeds of determination, clarity and resolve on the Path as we cut through the confusion and chaos to breathe, walk, rest, and heal our bodies and minds with gentle awareness, deep understanding and compassion.  We are the very vessels of kindness and compassion that can bring healing to our loved ones and to society.

In our tradition, the deep peace and silence of meditation is cultivated in formal moments of sitting, walking, deep relaxation, eating, and sharing groups. With the guidance of Fern and Michael, both senior Dharma teachers in the Plum Village tradition, and the support of our shared mindfulness practice in all these events, we can restore our confidence in the potential of humanity to live beautifully and compassionately together.

Fern Dorresteyn and Michael Ciborski

Fern has spent her life exploring more sustainable ways of living, personal transformation and the ideal of working with others to create positive change. As a young adult she traveled to Plum Village Monastery in France, together with her future husband Michael Ciborski, where they lived for nine years, seven of them as ordained Buddhist monastics. They were fortunate to live and work closely with Ven. Thich Nhat Hanh to offer meditation retreats around the world. In 2003 they returned to lay life and co-founded MorningSun.

Fern and Michael are members of the Council of Elders of the North American Dharma Teachers Council (NADTC) in the Plum Village tradition and travel across North America to lead retreats throughout the year.

Fern has served multiple terms on the Board for the NADTC. She is currently the Program Director at Morning Sun, and is continuously learning as she brings the practice into her daily life with her community and her three children. She holds a Birth-to-Three WECAN recognized certificate from Sophia’s Hearth Early Childhood Center and is always seeking opportunities to support the well being of children and families.

Michael is an active mentor for the Order of Interbeing, guiding aspiring members into the community.  He is also musician, and informally studied voice training and chanting of several European and Asian traditions, serving for several years as an English language chant master in the monastery. Michael is also accomplished in building and design with a focus on sustainable and natural build techniques. His great joy is continuously discovering how to open his heart wider with each new challenge and relationship.

Logistics:

Arrival for the retreat is Thursday, May 14th, from 3pm to 6pm. Departure is on Sunday May 17th, after lunch at 2pm. Please provide your own transportation to and from MorningSun.

Accommodations: 

Update 4/9/26: Dear friends, we have plenty of space in El Cielo, our indoor sleeping accommodations, small rooms or singles. We also have four beds available in Harmony Yurt. And we have a few camping spots still available. And of course, commuting is always welcomed. We may have accommodations nearby with neighbors if that would be supportive as well. Thank you! -Registrar

• Dormitory Beds:  We have several rooms available in El Cielo (our retreat building) (beds for 10-14 people depending on whether folks are alone, or couples, or in a ‘pod’).  We also have a few dormitory beds available in Harmony Yurt, our simple living yet comfortable yurt.
• Camping:  Our campground is primitive, with flat sandy sites, outdoor showers and composting toilets. You must provide your own tent and camping equipment. Campers will also have access to the first floor toilet and clothes washing machine in El Cielo.
• Commute: You may also choose to commute in and out if you live locally. Please register for the program below (as a commuter), and also book your local accommodations separately (you need to do both).
  • You may book at hotels and rentals offered by airbnb, vrbo, etc in the area. Please note that you need to provide your own transportation to and from MorningSun during your program if you register as a commuter.

Cost: Program and Accomodations are bundled together in a Self Selecting Sliding Scale. See below for financial support options:

Financial Assistance: Anyone who wishes to attend the retreat will be welcomed, no matter of financial ability. If the lowest tier on the sliding scale is still too high for you, you may ALSO self-select a percentage for financial assistance within the registration form (20% or 40% reduction). If you need a full scholarship  please contact us via email.

CLICK HERE TO ACCESS THE

Non-Harming Lives in My Heart – Retreat with Fern and Michael

For more questions, please email us at morningsunoffice@gmail.com