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Meditation Retreats in United States/
Meditation Retreats in Madison/
Taking Refuge: Cultivating Clarity & Compassion
Taking Refuge: Cultivating Clarity & Compassion
May 16 - 20, 2026
Madison, VA, United States
4 nights, 5 days
65 person retreat
Highlights
Immersive meditation practices to cultivate mindfulness, clarity, and compassion
Gentle movement and guided reflection to support embodied awareness
Dharma talks and teachings rooted in Buddhist wisdom
Opportunities for group sharing and connection in a supportive community
A serene retreat setting in the Blue Ridge Mountains, surrounded by nature
Space to build resilience and meet life’s challenges with greater ease and kindness
Details
In this retreat, we invite ourselves to come home to the totality of our experience, opening fully to life as a wise and compassionate way of meeting these challenging times. Immersing ourselves in meditative practices cultivates moment-to-moment awareness, helping us develop inner strength, natural clarity, and compassion. Through meditation practices, gentle movement, talks, guidance, and sharing together, and nourished by the beauty of Seven Oaks and the Blue Ridge mountains of Virginia, we’ll explore the power of these practices to build resilience in the face of life’s challenges. Guided by these timeless teachings and held in the beauty and wisdom of nature, this retreat invites us to take refuge in our belonging to this very life. In keeping with the Buddhist tradition, the teachers and retreat managers receive no payment. Donations offered by students at the end of the retreat are appreciated and support the teachers and retreat managers in continuing to make the teachings available to all. Dana offerings are tax-deductible.
Venue
Seven Oaks Retreat Center
5 ★ 28 Reviews
Seven Oaks Retreat Center nestles in the beauty of the Blue Ridge Mountains about 90 minutes southwest of the Washington, DC, area and 30 minutes north of Charlottesville, VA. All of us long for a state of peace and serenity, ease, and joy. How do we find that in a world that feels increasingly frantic and fractured? Great spiritual traditions from diverse origins agree on the importance of looking inward and learning for yourself what will lead to inner peace and happiness. Seven Oaks offers spiritual seekers a welcoming home to support this great journey.
A/C in Rooms
Free Wifi
Garden
Laundry
Towels
Housekeeping
Coffee / Tea
Cafe
Restaurant
Kitchen
Accommodation
Single Room with Shared Bath
Private room for 1
$1,080 USD total
Shared Room
5 Spots Left
2-person shared room
$850 USD / person
Camping
3 Rooms Left
Private room for 1
$720 USD total
1 / 3
Seven Oaks rooming is spread across several buildings and rooms are shared occupancy (2-4 people per room) with shared bathrooms, although sometime a limitied number of singles may be available. When a camping option is available, it includes access to indoor shared bathroom facilities. Campers need to bring all of their own camping equipment and linens. Please note when you register if you have someone that you would like to room with. We assign rooms based on gender.
Meals
Meals provided
Breakfast · Lunch · Dinner
Diets catered
Gluten-free · Dairy-free · Vegan · Vegetarian
Seven Oaks strives to nurture guests by providing delicious, healthy food at each meal. The chef cooks with fresh, seasonal ingredients and all meals are lacto-ovo vegetarian. Please indicate dairy-free, gluten-free, or vegan, and list any medical food allergies when registering. Also, a community refrigerator is available.
Host
Hugh Byrne
Silver Spring, MD, USA
An expert and author in the field of mindfulness and positive habit change, Hugh Byrne’s mindfulness and meditation offerings are guided by the vision of helping people shift from autopilot toward beh...
1 language
English
Teaching for 9 years
Joined Insight Timer in Sep 2016
What's Included
Accommodation
Meals
Administrative costs
Not Included
Dana (donations offered by students at the end of the retreat are appreciated and support the teachers and retreat managers in continuing to make the teachings available to all)
Transportation
Other personal expenses
FAQs
Cancellation policy
The remaining balance for the retreat is due 30 days prior to the start date. If this balance is paid earlier than these 30 days, you are eligible to cancel and receive a full refund of this remaining balance, provided you do so at least 30 days before the retreat begins.
