MPCH Annual Fall Retreat

November 5-8, 2026

American Bodhi Center, Hempstead, TX

Keeping Compassion Alive

Registration Will Open on

Friday, August 7, at 12:00 PM!

Keeping Compassion Alive

A Letter from Michael Ciborski, Dharma Teacher

Non-Harming Lives in the Heart of My Heart

In a time of reckless violence and cold hatred, we must be diligent in walking the path of peace and kindness.

During this retreat we will water the seeds of determination, clarity and resolve on the Path as we cut through the confusion and chaos to breathe, walk, rest, and heal our bodies and minds with gentle awareness, deep understanding and compassion. We are the very vessels of kindness and compassion that can bring healing to our loved ones and to society.

In our tradition, the deep peace and silence of meditation is cultivated in formal moments of sitting, walking, deep relaxation, eating, and sharing groups. With the guidance and support of teachers and community, and the embrace of our shared mindfulness practice in all these events, we can restore our confidence in the potential of humanity to live beautifully and compassionately together.

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, November 5th - Sunday, November 8th

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

Pre-Retreat Gathering for OI Members & Aspirants

Starting Wednesday, November 4th

Please note: This pre-retreat gathering is reserved for ordained members and formal aspirants to the Order of Interbeing.

OI members and aspirants are warmly invited to arrive a day early—on Wednesday, November 4th—for a dedicated OIA Day of Practice. This special opportunity offers extra space to deepen our connection and nourish our vows in a more intimate setting before the full retreat begins.

Cost: $125 (includes one additional night of lodging and meals)

If you’d like to participate, simply indicate your interest on the retreat registration form. Additional details and logistical information will be shared soon.

Arrival & Departure

Check-in for the General Retreat will take place on Thursday, November 5th, between 4:00 pm 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 8th.

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.

Mattress covers are provided. Please bring your own sheets, pillow, blanket, and towels for your stay. A suggested packing list will be sent ahead of the retreat.

Please note: This is a fully residential retreat. To support the continuity of practice and community experience, all participants are expected to stay on-site for the duration of the retreat. Commuter and camping options are not available.

**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 contact the MPCH Retreat Committee at retreat@mpchouston.org or to the registrar Shubhra at shubhrabhattacharya@hotmail.com.

Registration Fees

Bed in a Dorm Room

Shared bath down the hall

$390

Bed in a Private Cubicle

Shared bath down the hall

$410

Bed in a Double Room

Private bath

$480

Single Room (women only)

Private bath

$550

For your convenience, online payment is available through PayPal.

Please note: A processing fee of 2.99% + $0.49 applies to all online transactions. You will be able to view the total amount due, including this fee, before you submit the payment. If you prefer to use an alternative payment method, please contact us at retreat@mpchouston.org to inquire.

Meals

We are delighted to welcome Chef Amanda Koeppe, who has over a decade of experience creating health-focused, nourishing vegetarian meals for wellness retreats and brings training in holistic culinary traditions, including Ayurveda and Macrobiotics.

Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are included each day, beginning with Thursday dinner and concluding with Sunday lunch.

If you have food allergies or dietary restrictions related to a medical condition, you will have an opportunity to note them on the registration form. We will do our best to work with the chef to accommodate these needs and appreciate your understanding and flexibility.

Eating Meditation

In the Plum Village tradition, eating is a meditation practice. During the retreat, we will enjoy our meals in noble silence, offering an opportunity to slow down and be fully present with our food and with the sangha. By eating mindfully, we can appreciate the many conditions that support our meal, nourish our body and mind, and cultivate gratitude, joy, and connection in each moment. You can read more about the practice of mindful eating here.

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 are a student, have a limited income, or would be unable to attend without financial assistance, we invite you to apply for a scholarship. In keeping with the Plum Village tradition's commitment to accessibility and inclusivity, we also seek to support practitioners from communities that have historically been underrepresented in retreat practice, including members of BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, and Wake Up communities, as well as students under age 25 and those currently receiving unemployment benefits. Our heartfelt hope is that cost will not be a barrier for anyone who wishes to attend.

The scholarship application form will be available on August 7, 2026.

The application deadline is September 7, 2026. If funds remain after the first round of awards, we will continue to accept applications on a rolling basis.

Please note: To ensure our scholarship funds benefit as many practitioners as possible, we ask scholarship applicants to register for either a dorm room or a cubicle with a shared bath. No payment is required at the time you submit your retreat registration if you are applying for financial assistance.

Linda Parker Scholarship Fund

We are committed to making the retreat accessible to all who wish to attend. Financial assistance is available for those who may otherwise be unable to participate.

Scholarships are made possible through the generosity of Sangha members and friends. This year, scholarship support is being provided in part through the Linda Parker Scholarship Fund, established in honor of our dear friend and longtime Sangha member, Linda Parker, whose years of service and dedication helped nurture MPCH. Through this fund, Linda's legacy of care and Sangha building continues to support practitioners on the path of mindfulness.

Your support helps create a more inclusive, accessible, and healing retreat space for all. If you feel moved to contribute, please use the donation link below. Every gift, no matter the size, is deeply appreciated and makes a meaningful difference.

Donate to the Linda Parker Scholarship Fund

Important Dates & Deadlines

Friday, August 7, 2026 at 12:00 pm

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

Scholarship application opens

Monday, September 7, 2026 (Labor Day) at 5:00 pm

Scholarship application closes

Monday, October 12, 2026 at 5:00 pm

Registration closes

Final payment due

Cancellation/refund deadline (minus $100 deposit)

Cancellations & Refunds

We understand that life circumstances can change and plans may need to be adjusted.

Because retreat planning involves commitments for accommodations, meals, and other expenses, cancellations received on or before October 12, 2026 are eligible for a refund of retreat fees, less a $100 non-refundable deposit.

If you need to cancel your registration, please let us know as soon as possible. Early cancellations allow us to offer your space to someone on the waitlist and help support the smooth planning of the retreat.

Where Your Retreat Fees Go

We are committed to transparency and thoughtful stewardship of all retreat contributions. Based on the 2025 retreat income and expense report, retreat funds were allocated as follows:

82.1% supported the American Bodhi Center, covering accommodations, meals, and use of the retreat facilities.
3.8% went toward retreat logistics, including supplies and administrative expenses.
3.0% covered travel expenses for our teacher.
1.1% was offered as a gratuity to retreat staff.
The net proceeds of 9.8% were retained to help support future retreats and scholarship opportunities.

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

Report abuse