Online Daylong and Two-Day Retreats
These retreats are online via Zoom and include instruction, meditation, and time for questions & answers.
Koan of Cessation
A Two-Day Online Retreat
When: August 22, 2026 – August 23, 2026
Where: Online, via Zoom
The Koan of Cessation will be an exploration of what Cessation is, how its viewed in Theravada Buddhism, and guided…
Living from the Absolute Heart
A Day-long Online Retreat
When: September 13, 2026 at 11:00 am
Where: Online, via Zoom
Off the Cushion Practices In this daylong we will explore the “off-the-cushion” practices of the brahma viharas, the Absolute Heart…
Unfolding the Koan “Mu”
A Day-long Online Retreat
When: November 29, 2026 at 11:00 am
Where: Online, via Zoom
Mu is not only the first koan, it can be viewed as the only koan. Koan Zen teachers work with…
Experiencing Stream Entry
A Day-long Online Retreat
When: December 13, 2026 at 11:00 am
Where: Online, via Zoom
This daylong will focus on the awakeness of stream entry and how to develop, cultivate, and live from these qualities…
Join a Meditation Mentoring Program
Mentoring programs meet monthly. They are a great way to learn the practices and to work with Mugen regularly.
Demystifying Awakening
A Monthly Mentoring Program
When: Monthly Program, Ongoing
Where: 11:00 am – 3:30 pm US Eastern Time Online, via Zoom
The program is a wonderfully rare opportunity for dharma practitioners to deepen awareness and work with the common resistances to…
Soothing the Longing Heart & Jhanas Practice
A Monthly Mentoring Program
When: Monthly Program, Ongoing
Where: Online, via Zoom
This monthly mentoring program will offer an alternating monthly focus, commencing with traditional Theravada Samatha practices and holding every second…
Liberating the Heart and Self
A Monthly Mentoring Program
When: Monthly Program, Ongoing
Where: Online, via Zoom
This mentorship program is based on Mugen's newest book Liberating the Self, as well as his book Buddha's Heart. We…
One to Three-Week Meditation Retreats
In-person retreats are a chance for deep practice in a warm-hearted supportive environment.
Online retreats are more accessible and affordable. Most retreats going forward will be online.
Come Home: Awakening the Heart of Longing October 2026
Residential and Online Retreat
When: October 1, 2026 – October 21, 2026
Where: Battle Creek, Michigan and Online, via Zoom
Update: Option for online attendance of this retreat has been added. More below. We will turn to the qualities and…
Practicing the Jhānas Retreat
Two-week Retreat: Residential and Online
When: April 1, 2027 – April 14, 2027
Where: Shoals, Indiana and Online
Practicing the Jhanas: Traditional Concentration Meditation as Presented by the Venerable Pa Auk Sayadaw The Practicing the Jhānas retreat will be a…
Coming Home: Awakening in this Lifetime
Three-week Residential Retreat
When: September 10, 2027 – October 1, 2027
Where: Shoals, Indiana
We will turn to the qualities and functions of the source of all reality and manifestation – the Absolute. During…
CANCELLED: Discovering Buddha’s Nature
A Barge Journey Retreat through Vietnam & Cambodia
When: Cancelled
Where:
Cancelled: Organizers needed more signups by this date to go forward. This is a once-in-a-lifetime retreat opportunity with Stephen Mugen…
One-on-Ones
One-on-ones are online via Zoom and scheduled online using Calendly.
One-on-One
Where: Online, via Zoom
Stephen Mugen Snyder, Roshi offers one-on-one spiritual guidance and coaching sessions. The focus of these sessions is your spiritual practice…
Ongoing Meditation Groups
These groups are all dāna (donation) based. They are a great way to get involved and are good for beginners.
Monthly Sangha Gatherings
When: Monthly Program, Ongoing
Where: Online, via Zoom, with Mugen Roshi
12:00 pm – 1:00 pm US Pacific Time 2025 Schedule January 16th ~ February 13th ~ March 6thApril 17th ~…
Monday Meditation Group
A Weekly Meditation Group for LGBTQIA+ and Allies
When: Mondays, 6:00-7:00 pm Western European Time (1:00-2:00pm Eastern Time)
Where: Online, via Zoom, with Myoshin
This group is designed as a safe space for LGBTQIA+ and allies. All are welcome. "NAVIGATING DAILY LIFE has never…
Meditation Practice Group
Introduction to the Brahmavihārā and Breath Awareness Meditation
When: Tuesdays, 6-7pm Central European time
Where: Online, via Zoom, with Zenshin
6-7pm Central European time This is an ongoing practice group that will introduce a variety of meditations good for beginners…
Tuesday Meditation Group
A Weekly Meditation Group Focused on the Heart Meditations
When: Tuesdays, Noon-1pm Pacific Time (3-4pm Eastern Time)
Where: Online, via Zoom, with Rinsho & Mushin
This ongoing practice group will focus primarily on the heart meditations or Brahmavihārā. It is mainly oriented towards beginners but…
Meditation Practice Group Swedish
Introduktion till Brahmavihārā och andningsmedvetenhetsmeditation
When: Torsdagar, varje vecka
Where: Online, via Zoom, med Zenshin
This is a Swedish speaking group. 18:00-19:30 centraleuropeisk tid Detta kommer att vara en pågående övningsgrupp som introducerar en mängd…
Friday Meditation Group
A Weekly Meditation Group
When: Fridays, Noon-1pm Pacific Time (3-4pm Eastern Time)
Where: Online, via Zoom, with Shindo
Join Mark Shindo Johnson on Fridays at noon Pacific time for an hour of meditation and dharma via Zoom. We…
Special Local Events
Local In-Person Events Led by Awakening Dharma Associated Teachers
Practicing the Brahmaviharas: the Heart Practices Taught by the Buddha
Day-long In-Person Retreat in Portland, Oregon
When: Repeating, Next Event Is Sept 26, 2026; 10:00am – 3:00pm Pacific Time
Where: SE Portland, Oregon
The brahmaviharas are four "divine abodes" or beneficial qualities of heart: metta (loving-kindness), karuna (compassion), mudita (sympathetic joy), and upekkha…
Self-Paced Home Meditation Retreats
Virtual online meditation retreats can be completed at home on your own schedule.
Awakening & Cessation
Self-Paced Home Meditation Retreat
When: Register any time
Where: Online, Virtual Retreat
This self-paced retreat includes material for a 6 or 7-day home meditation retreat. This retreat is a deep dive into…
Self-Paced Courses
Self-paced courses are hosted on the same platform as live courses. Our two most popular courses are Anatomy of Awakening and the Zen Precepts course.
Anatomy of Awakening
Self-Paced Course
When: Register at any time
Where: Online
Anatomy of Awakening A series of in-depth interviews with leading spiritual teachers, exploring what it means to awaken, and the…
Zen Precepts and Jukai
Self-Paced Course
When: Register at any time
Where: Online
The Zen precepts are the lifeblood of Buddhism. The precepts are the awakened functioning of the Absolute, the source of…
Volunteering
This is a chance to offer dāna for people who’ve benefited from Awakening Dharma.
Volunteers Group
Opportunity to offer dāna to Awakening Dharma through volunteer work
Where: Online, via Zoom
Our vision for this group is that we can get together a group of volunteers who are willing to put…
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