Being in the world is messy. It’s not controlled the way things are when you’re on retreat. In these environments where everything is very controlled, we can see deeply into the subtleties of human tendencies, and let go of patterns that aren’t serving us. But it’s a different kind of deep practice to be in the throes of life, to be in the middle of chaos. When we learn how to be flexible and malleable with our real lack of control, we’re faced with uncertainty and impermanence. And we learn to live with that in a major way.
Cara Lai
Residential Retreat Teacher
Cara has spent most of her life in pursuit of meaning and happiness, which landed her in the meditative arts for most of her adult life. Throughout many mind-body adventures, she has explored the concentrated mind, chronic illness, the value of pleasure, the power of maternal energy, and connection to the earth. In the past, Cara worked as an artist, wilderness guide, social worker and psychotherapist. Now, after emerging from a year of solitude, she finds herself practicing in unconventional ways and using her intuition as her guide. She tries her best to teach from the most authentic and vulnerable place she can muster, and is still learning about the contentment of simply existing.
Cara Lai's Upcoming Programs
Retreat | On-Land | Hybrid
April 1 - April 8, 2025 | Tuesday - Tuesday | 7 nights
Steadying the Heart: Refuge through the Four Sublime States
Registration Open. The Buddhist path cultivates four transformative qualities that can be developed into steadfast dwelling places for the heart: kindness, compassion, joy, and balance. Known as the brahmavihāras, these states can be powerful supports for deepening concentration and insight on the contemplative path and responding to suffering. Throughout this retreat, we will explore techniques to develop each of these states, and release the obstacles that hinder us from living a full life and responding meaningfully to the needs of our world.
Retreat | Online Non-Residential | Hybrid
April 1 - April 8, 2025 | Tuesday - Tuesday
Steadying the Heart: Refuge through the Four Sublime States
Registration Open. The Buddhist path cultivates four transformative qualities that can be developed into steadfast dwelling places for the heart: kindness, compassion, joy, and balance. Known as the brahmavihāras, these states can be powerful supports for deepening concentration and insight on the contemplative path and responding to suffering. Throughout this retreat, we will explore techniques to develop each of these states, and release the obstacles that hinder us from living a full life and responding meaningfully to the needs of our world.
Family | On-Land
July 30 - August 3, 2025 | Wednesday - Sunday | 4 nights
The Family Retreat
Applications Open February 19, 2025. Find joy in a retreat for the whole family and take time together to rest, reconnect, play, and enjoy! This four-night residential retreat for adults and children ages 7-15 years old will combine meditation and Dharma teachings, games, arts and crafts, nature time, and more. Kids and teens will have organized time each day to be with peers, fully supervised by our mindful leaders, and adults will also have time to practice, relax, and receive Dharma from the teachers.
Retreat | On-Land
August 5 - August 10, 2025 | Tuesday - Sunday | 5 nights
Young Adult Retreat
Registration Opens - February 19. Join a kind community to practice mindfulness and compassion. Give yourself a break from overstimulation and come home to the simple experience of being alive. In mindfulness meditation, we practice resting, looking deeply, knowing moment-by-moment what it’s like to be human. Some of us are hesitant to look because we’re concerned what we’ll find. But our practice shows us that the more deeply we look into experience, the more reason we have to love.
Dharma Library
Can't join us live online or on the land? Study and practice at your convenience with Cara Lai through our new library of recordings, articles, and self-paced online courses.