MorningSun

Coming Home as Men: A Mindfulness Retreat for Men
2025-10-02 17:00 - 2025-10-05 13:00 (America/New_York) | MorningSun Mindfulness Center, 81 Rose Apple Lane, Alstead, NH, 03602, United States
This retreat is for those who identify as men and want to explore the legacy of masculinity — healing its wounds, reclaiming its beauty, touching our ancestral strength, and reshaping it for future generations. It is grounded in the Plum Village mindfulness tradition, with space for each person’s unique experience and voice.

What does it mean to be a man rooted in presence, humility, and strength?
Who am I, and who are we beneath the armor we were taught to wear?
How do I relate to other men when performance gives way to authenticity?

This retreat invites you into a space of sincere practice and shared reflection. We will enjoy the crisp autumn air while connecting around the fire, and hiking through the golden falling leaves. Through sitting and walking meditation, Dharma sharing, deep listening, and circle practice, we’ll explore the arc of our lives—from the messages we received as boys, to the identities we perform as men, to the possibilities we long to grow into together.

Your retreat facilitators:
Austin has experience working with men’s issues both professionally and personally. He has a Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and has led multiple men’s groups in a mental health setting. He was ordained as a monastic in the Plum Village Tradition in 2015 and returned to lay life in 2020. His relationship to practice and spiritual work is rooted in maintaining the integrity of his root spiritual tradition while also allowing space for creativity, humor, and play. Austin is both nervous and excited to be organizing his first men’s retreat at Morning Sun.
David’s most enduring joy in life has been offering and receiving the gifts of true friendship and community. He first ordained as a monk with Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh in 2005 and spent several years living in the Plum Village tradition monasteries before finding his niche in community lay life. His new book, “Thriving Together: 9 Principles for Cocreating True Community” illuminates the real struggles, joys, and deep satisfaction of cultivating mindful community. David is a white-presenting Chinese-American cis man, committed to learning about the resiliency of his ancestors who both caused and were harmed by intergenerational trauma. Some of David’s favorite things to do are drinking tea in nature with friends, Sangha game nights, conscious dance, drinking poetry, and sunset meditations.
Gary Honey Bear “HB” is a developer, musician, and practitioner of Buddhist and psychological inquiry. He brings a deep commitment to healing, clarity, and relational presence. His path is recovery, art, and dharma—drawing fro
m trauma-informed recovery (including ACoA), Plum Village mindfulness (ordained in the Order of Interbeing in 2009), and music rooted in improvisation and deep listening. Whether in silence or in song, HB seeks the rhythms that restore relationship and reveal what matters. Through music, facilitation, or quiet care behind the scenes, he serves as a bridge between inner work and outer action—creating spaces where people can meet themselves, and each other, with honesty, compassion, and courage.

Logistics:
Arrival for the retreat is Thursday, October 2nd, from 4pm to 6pm. Departure is on Sunday October 5th, after lunch at 1pm. Please provide your own transportation to and from MorningSun.
This is a small retreat and spaces are limited. You will receive confirmation of your space upon registration and receipt of payment.
Accommodations:

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 our simple living 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: There are two parts to the program cost:

The Program (offered on an affordable sliding scale: $200 – 420)
Accommodations (costs vary from commuting (free), to camping ($40), to dormitory rooms ($160))

Financial Assistance: Anyone who wishes to attend the retreat will be welcomed, no matter of financial ability. If the lowest tier is still too high for you you can self-select some financial assistance from within the registration form. If you need a full scholarship please contact us.

REGISTRATION FORM:

1A 2025 Mens Retreat Registration

Name of Retreat

Plan to arrive between 4 and 6pm on Arrival Day and to depart after 2pm on Departure Day.

Registration Instructions

You should receive a short confirmation email immediately, and our Program Team will follow up with a full confirmation and program details closer to the retreat start date.

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(for room assignment purposes, for example: "male, female, inter, or another")

Gender Identify As

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

Stability and Freedom: A Retreat for the Order of Interbeing
2025-10-09 17:00 - 2025-10-12 13:00
Morning Sun is happy to invite members and aspirants of the Order of Interbeing to Morning Sun for a retreat, on October 9- 12.
(Please note, this retreat is for ordained members of the Order of Interbeing and aspirants to the Order who are engaged in the formal mentoring stage)

We hope that by holding the retreat in October we can enjoy the late colors of Autumn together, and also some friends will still be able to camp.
This retreat will be open for all Order of Interbeing members. However, in order to support us to build relationships within our regional community, we will send the registration link to members in the Northeast first.
REGISTRATION FORM IS NOW AVAILABLE: Order Members and Aspirants: Please email us at morningsunoffice@gmail.com if you would like to attend, and we will send you the link for registration.

Logistics:
Arrival for the retreat is Thursday, October 9nd, from 4pm to 6pm. Departure is on Sunday October 12th, after lunch at 1pm. Please provide your own transportation to and from MorningSun.
This is a small retreat and spaces are limited. You will receive confirmation of your space upon registration and receipt of payment.
Accommodations:

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 our simple living 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: There are two parts to the program cost:

The Program (offered on an affordable sliding scale: $200 – 420)
Accommodations (costs vary from commuting (free), to camping ($40), to dormitory rooms ($160))

Financial Assistance: Anyone who wishes to attend the retreat will be welcomed, no matter of financial ability. If the lowest tier is still too high for you you can self-select some financial assistance from within the registration form. If you need a full scholarship please contact us.

Dear friends, our on-site accommodations in MorningSun are currently full. Please email us at morningsunoffice@gmail.com to be placed on a waitlist. Please register if you can commute or camp! There is also still space for four people to stay together in the Simple Living Yurt. Thank you so much.

REGISTRATION FORM IS NOW AVAILABLE:
Order Members and Aspirants: Please email us at morningsunoffice@gmail.com if you would like to attend, and we will send you the link for registration.

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

Day of Mindfulness Practice
2025-10-19 09:30 - 13:00, 2025-10-26 09:30 - 13:00
Many Sundays throughout the year we gather for a Day of Mindfulness Practice.
We will have sitting meditations, mindful movement, outdoor walking meditation and practice guidance with discussions.

(Scroll Down to Register)

Sign up for our Weekly E-Letter for details on themes of practice for the day and updates to our practice schedule.
$10-40 Suggested Contribution (to practice together is the most important gift, so if your current financial situation is challenging please still come and don’t worry about making a donation).
Please sign up on the simple registration form below (so we can be prepared to receive you). We may cap registration to keep the numbers reasonable. Please email us at morningsunoffice@gmail.com if the registration form is closed and you would like to come.
Please arrive 10-15 minutes early so you can settle in before we begin. After you park in either of the two parking areas, please walk to El Cielo or the Forest Hall. El Cielo is the light blue building on the main road at 81 Rose Apple Lane. The Forest Hall is within campus, a small strawbale hall. There are signs pointing to both.

Sample flow of events: (subject to small changes)

9:30-10:30 am Sitting Meditation (25 minutes sitting, then 10 minutes slow walking, followed by a second 25 minutes sitting. Often one of the sittings will be a guided meditation on the theme of the day)
10:30-10:45 am Mindful Movements and Stretching
10:45-11:45 am Teachings, Practice and Discussion on the theme of the day
11:45-12:30 pm Group Walking Meditation (We begin with singing and to enjoy an outdoor walking meditation through the forest, often preceded by instruction. Please bring appropriate clothing.)
12:30 pm Dedication of the Merit, Closing Announcements,
(And stay on for little while, if you would like, to enjoy some quiet time or a self-guided BYO Vegetarian Picnic Lunch

Day of Mindfulness Registration (walk-ins also welcome)

1A 2025 Day of Mindfulness Registration Form

Day of Mindfulness Registration

Please choose which Day of Mindfulness you are registering for:
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September 7, 2025

September 14, 2025

September 28, 2025

October 19, 2025

October 26, 2025

November 2, 2025

November 9, 2025

November 23, 2025

November 30, 2025

December 7, 2025

December 14, 2025

Contact Information

Your Name
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Email Address
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Program
After you complete the registration you will receive a simple confirmation email. Please refer to the information above in the event listing in order to be prepared for the day.

Contribution: ($10-40 suggested)
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Please choose an amount to contribute to the cost for the day. $10 to $40 is suggested per person, but if you are low on resources at this time - you may enter "0" in this field. You may also contribute by check or cash during the event if you do not want to complete the transaction online at this time (if you choose to do this enter "0" in this field).

# of People:
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Total: $

Payment
Pressing the Submit Button below will take you to PayPal to complete your registration. Through PayPal you can use any major credit card. We will then send you confirmation of your registration and program details or materials.

Total: $

Cancellations made within 24 hours of the program start date are 50% non-refundable. All other cancellations and refund requests will be subject to an administrative charge (10% up to a maximum of $50). Please feel free to email us with any questions or concerns.

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