2026 Chicago Meditates Thaypassana Retreat

PLEASE COMPLETE YOUR REGISTRATION WITH THIS ONLINE FORM. BE PREPARED TO SUBMIT YOUR REGISTRATION FEE VIA ZELLE TO KEVIN KUHN, OUR REGISTRAR AT [email protected] TO ENSURE YOUR SPOT AT THE RETREAT. (NOTE: THE EMAIL ADDRESS WILL BE ASSOCIATED WITH STEPHEN STARR.) KNOWING LIFE AS IT IS Join us for a four day residential Thaypassana retreat with Janice Cittasubha Sheppard and David Haskin at the beautiful Siena Retreat Center in Racine, WI, September 24-27, 2026. A RETREAT FLYER IS AVAILABLE HERE. We all develop notions, views, and opinions about the world and our experience of it. Those habitual ways of thinking, acting—and automatically reacting—develop based on our upbringing and the other conditioning we encounter. Buddhist practice teaches us to investigate those habitual understandings and actions, which is how we learn to know how things actually are in the present moment. And seeing things clearly in this way reveals life as it truly is, with all its challenges, beauty, interconnections, changeability, and wonder. Please join us for a four-day retreat as we explore and practice understanding how we fabricate experience moment by moment—and the habits and actions that result—so that we can relate to life as it truly is with steadiness, composure, and joy. During this retreat, we will practice walking, standing, and sitting meditation and mindful movement; have Dharma talks; and have question/answer sessions and small group sessions with the teachers. The retreat will be held in Noble Silence except during small group sessions. Thaypassana is a form of retreat, begun 15 years ago, that blends the engaged practices of Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh and the development of insight (vipassana) as practiced in the Thai Forest Tradition of Theravada Buddhism. It is designed to be comfortable for anyone who wants to deepen their practice of meditation and the Buddha’s teachings. Fees include all meals Friday breakfast through Sunday lunch, lodging, private baths, towels and the meeting rooms. (Thursday dinner is on your own.) Coffee/tea are available throughout the weekend. All meals will be vegetarian. The retreat will begin on Thursday, September 24 at 7PM and conclude at 3PM on Sunday, September 27. Location: Siena Retreat Center, 5637 Erie Street, Racine, Wisconsin 53402. Parking is free and plentiful. Retreat fees: $490.00 per person, $250.00 commuter (meals/retreat only). Single occupancy and double occupancy rooms available. You can request double occupancy rooms with a queen size bed or two twin beds. (Each double occupancy retreatant is $490.00.) PLEASE COMPLETE YOUR REGISTRATION WITH THIS ONLINE FORM. BE PREPARED TO SUBMIT YOUR REGISTRATION FEE VIA ZELLE TO KEVIN KUHN, OUR REGISTRAR AT [email protected] TO ENSURE YOUR SPOT AT THE RETREAT. For more information, feel free to contact Steve Starr at 847-644-2389 or [email protected].