On January 11, 2026, practitioners gathered from 9:00 to 11:30 a.m. for our Beginning Anew Silent Retreat, held overlooking the serene Shoyoan Teien Zen Garden in Middletown, Connecticut. Participants shared that the retreat offered a meaningful way to begin the new year with intention, clarity, and care.
In the closing reflection, many spoke of the deep relief found in silence, something sorely needed in daily life. Several noted the presence of a persistent “monkey mind” at the beginning of the morning, and how, through sitting and shared practice, this restlessness gradually softened and settled. Others offered gentle insights into working with the continual arising of thoughts and feelings, reminding us that awareness, patience, and kindness are themselves the path. The morning closed with a quiet sense of renewal, gratitude, and connection.
