MPCH Annual Fall Retreat

October 30 to November 2, 2025

American Bodhi Center, Hempstead, TX

True Nourishment and Healing

REGISTRATION OPENS ON AUGUST 4, 2025

MPCH Retreat Scholarship Fundraiser

We are thrilled to launch our first Retreat Scholarship Fundraiser, supporting sangha members in attending this year’s Fall Retreat. Each year, we offer financial assistance to ensure that cost is not a barrier to participation—and this year, your generosity can have double the impact!

Thanks to a generous $1,500 matching donation, every contribution you make—big or small—will be matched dollar for dollar. Your support helps cultivate a more inclusive, accessible, and healing space for our community. The deadline for the matching donation is Sunday, July 27th.

To offer a gift and help open the path for others, please use the link below:

Donate to Fundraiser through PayPal

True Nourishment and Healing

A Letter from Michael Ciborski, Dharma Teacher

As we gather together to find rest and healing in our breath and steps, in our still-sitting and deep-listening, we will lean into the teachings of the Middle Way:

“This is because that is. This is not because that is not.”

Although it sounds simple on the surface, the Middle Way teachings invite us into the profound meaning of each moment of our lives, opening the door of Interbeing, offering liberation from the shackles of wrong perception, and empowering the ordinary and mundane with the sacred.

With this prompt of clarity and kindness, we will explore the realm of action (karma)—both the experience of giving and receiving—in three areas: in our own hearts, in relationship with others, and in the embodied shape of our lives.

About the Teacher

Michael Ciborski (Dharma name Chan Trung Dao, "True Middle Way") is a lineage holding Dharma teacher in the tradition of the Venerable Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh. He lived as a monk for seven years in Plum Village, France, and has worked intimately with Thich Nhat Hanh and the monastic community to organize, support and offer meditation retreats around the world. A skilled musician, he studied voice training and chanting of several European and Asian traditions and served for several years as an English language chant master in the monastery. He currently lives in New Hampshire with his wife and children, where they have built a residential mindfulness practice community and education center for sustainable living.

Michael gives virtual Dharma talks to MPCH throughout the year leading up to the Fall Retreat.

American Bodhi Center

📍 29123 Mellman Rd, Hempstead, TX 77445

Nestled on 500 acres just north of Hempstead, Texas, the American Bodhi Center offers a beautiful rural sanctuary for reflection, practice, and community. The campus features expansive natural grounds, comfortable dormitories, a library, a dining hall, and a grand meditation hall.

Please note: The American Bodhi Center is a smoke-free campus.

Retreat Format

Thursday, October 30th - Sunday, November 2nd*

Join us for a nourishing 4-day retreat designed for both beginners and experienced practitioners. Set in a supportive and peaceful environment, the retreat offers a balance of guided practice, spiritual reflection, and community connection.

Designated periods of noble silence help create a calm, contemplative atmosphere—supporting deep personal reflection and the cultivation of insight throughout the retreat.

Retreat activities include:

Sitting meditation
Walking meditation
Dharma talks by Michael Ciborski
Small group Dharma sharing
Silent, mindful meals
Musical fellowship and singing
Mindful art and creative expression

*Order of Interbeing members and formal Aspirants:

There will be an opportunity to arrive one day early, on Wednesday, October 29th, for an OIA period of practice. The additional cost is $110.

Arrival & Departure

Check-in for the General Retreat will take place on Thursday, October 30th, between 4:00 and 6:00 PM.

Please note: The retreat center's gates typically close at 7:00 PM. If you expect to arrive later, please inform us in advance so we can make arrangements.

The retreat will conclude after lunch on Sunday, November 2nd.

Meals

Nourishing vegetarian meals are included with your retreat registration, beginning with Thursday dinner and concluding with Sunday lunch.

We regret that we’re unable to accommodate special dietary requests beyond vegetarian options, and we appreciate your understanding.

Accommodations

The retreat offers a range of comfortable lodging options in separate dormitories for men and women**:

Dorm Rooms – Bunk beds for 4–8 people; shared bathroom down the hall
Private Cubicles – Partitioned sleeping areas within dorm rooms; shared bathroom down the hall
Double Rooms – Shared by 2 people; private bathroom
Single Rooms – For Women Only – In the Lecture Hall building; private bathroom

Room requests are filled on a first-come, first-served basis. If you wish to room with a specific person or persons, please include their name(s) on your registration form.

Please note: Mattress covers are provided. Please bring your own sheets, pillow, and blanket for your stay.

**We warmly welcome individuals of all gender identities and are committed to creating an inclusive, safe retreat environment for everyone. At this time, due to current facility limitations, we are unfortunately unable to offer gender neutral housing. We kindly ask that you select the room type that best aligns with your preference.

If you’d like to discuss your accommodation needs privately, you’ll have the option to indicate so on the registration form. We recognize this is an ongoing conversation and are committed to continuing efforts toward greater inclusivity in the future. You can reach us at retreat@mpchouston.org or write directly to Nancy at overseasachorns@mac.com

Registration Fees

Bed in a Dorm Room

Shared bath down the hall

$380

Bed in a Private Cubicle

Shared bath down the hall

$380

Bed in a Double Room

Private bath

$440

Single Room (women only)

Private bath

$500

Where Your Retreat Fees Go

We’re committed to transparency and thoughtful stewardship of all retreat contributions. Here’s how your retreat fees are allocated (based on the 2024 retreat income and expense report):

90% supports the American Bodhi Center, covering accommodations, meals, and use of the retreat facilities.
3% covers travel expenses for our teacher, Michael Ciborski.
2% goes toward retreat logistics, including supplies and administrative costs.
1% is offered as a gratuity to the kitchen staff, in appreciation of their nourishing meals.
4% is set aside as “seed money” to help launch next year’s retreat.

Scholarships

In light of the current economic challenges, we are doing our best to keep retreat fees steady so that this experience remains accessible to all. To help make the retreat more accessible, a limited number of scholarships are available.

If you’re a student, have a limited income, or need additional financial support, we invite you to apply for a scholarship. We especially welcome scholarship applications from members of LGBTQ+, BIPOC, and Wake Up communities. Our heartfelt hope is that cost will not be a barrier for anyone who wishes to attend.

The application form will be available on August 4, 2025.

The first application deadline is September 1, 2025. If funds remain after the first round of awards, we will continue to accept applications on a rolling basis until all scholarships have been distributed.

To apply, please register for a dorm room or cubicle with a shared bath and submit your scholarship application. No payment is required at the time of registration submission for those requesting financial assistance.

In the meantime, we are actively fundraising to support those in need of financial assistance. If you'd like to help make the retreat accessible to others, please consider contributing to our scholarship fund via the donation button below. Every gift is deeply appreciated and makes a meaningful difference.

Donate to Fundraiser through PayPal

Important Dates & Deadlines

July 27

Retreat Scholarship Fundraiser matching donation deadline

August 4

Registration opens (50% deposit due, unless applying for a scholarship)

Scholarship application opens

September 1

Scholarship application deadline

October 8

Registration closes

Final payment due

Cancellation/refund deadline (minus $100 deposit)

Practicing Dana (Generosity)

Dharma teachers nurture the spiritual well-being of the sangha by offering their time, energy, and insight in service of our collective awakening—often on a voluntary basis, with deep dedication. As sangha members, we have a meaningful opportunity to give back through dana (generosity)—an essential Buddhist practice—supporting the livelihood of our teachers. In doing so, we help sustain the flow of wisdom and compassion that benefits our entire community.

You'll have the opportunity to offer a donation to Michael during registration or at the retreat. For a four-day retreat, contributions typically range from $80–$150, but please give only what feels right for your financial situation. Every offering is gratefully received.

Contact Us

For retreat-related questions, please email the MPCH Retreat Committee at retreat@mpchouston.org

Retreat Photo Gallery

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