A longing to feel alive comes from an inherent knowing of what it is to truly live. You know when you're awake to life and when you're in a haze. You know when you’re leaning in and when you’re holding back.

This retreat will delve into the heart of our existence as life Itself. I'll be pointing participants to their essential Self, prior to personal identities, roles, history, or future, and will be nurturing a remembrance of Self-nature—free of definitions and divisions.

To support this remembrance, I will be offering talks, periods of satsang (Q&A sessions exploring the nature of Truth), and guided meditations. This retreat will also provide several periods of silent group meditation, as well as time to rest and enjoy the natural surroundings. Outside of satsang, participants will be observing silence. All components of this retreat, especially the maintaining of silence, are provided to further conscious knowing of our ever-present, undivided nature.

Namaste,
Mukti

Check in: 3:00–5:00 pm Sunday
Check out: Noon Friday

Participation Requirement

All registered participants must arrange for housing with Mount Madonna Center. Mukti requires that all attendees arrive on time for retreat (3:00-5:00 pm on the first day) and plan to stay at the retreat site through the end of retreat (12:00 pm on the last day, or 1:30 pm if you choose to join us for an optional free lunch).  

COVID-19 Precautions: To ensure the health and safety of all guests and staff, we ask that retreat attendees perform an at-home COVID-19 antigen test, to be taken within 24-48 hours of arrival.

The Retreat Experience: More detailed information about the experience of attending retreat can be found here.

Transportation to Mount Madonna Center 

Air Transportation

The local airport nearest Mount Madonna is the San Jose International Airport (SJC) which is one hour away. Visit http://www.flysanjose.com for more information.

The San Francisco Airport (SFO) is also an option, although it is farther away (2 to 3 hours, depending on traffic). www.flysfo.com

When making flight arrangements for retreat, keep in mind that you must arrive on time (during registration on the first day) and stay through the end of retreat. In order to accomplish this, we recommend flying in no later than 1:30 pm on the first day of retreat and departing no earlier than 4:00 pm on the last day. If necessary, consider arriving a day early and/or leaving the day after retreat ends.

Driving Directions, Transportation, and Shuttle Services

Most of your driving and transportation questions will be answered at Mount Madonna’s Directions and Transportation page, along with a list of potential shuttle services.

IMPORTANT: Uber/Lyft are not consistent or reliable options due to the remote location of Mount Madonna Center.

WE DO NOT RECOMMEND RELYING ON GPS. Some online maps may route you on roads which are undeveloped and sometimes impassable. Instead, find detailed directions at www.mountmadonna.org.

Ridesharing

When guests register for lodging with Mount Madonna, they will have the option to offer a ride or share a ride (with someone that is offering a ride). Open Gate Sangha is not associated with this service—please direct your questions to Mount Madonna directly.

Staying Extra Nights

If you need to stay extra nights at the center before or after the retreat, please call Mount Madonna directly for availability: 408-847-0406.

CANCELLATION POLICIES

Program Fee - Open Gate Sangha

Program fees are not transferable to other people or to other programs.
Cancel on or before May 3, 2025: $50.00 cancellation fee
Cancel on or after May 4, 2025: No Refund

Housing Fee - Mount Madonna Center

Cancel on or before April 10, 2025: Fully refundable
Cancel between April 11 and May 3, 2025: 50% refund
Cancel on or after May 4, 2025: No Refund

Mount Madonna Center’s full Cancellation Policy can be found here.

To cancel your event, log in to your Open Gate Sangha account.
To cancel your housing, you must contact Mount Madonna Center directly.

In the highly unlikely event that this retreat needs to be cancelled due to an Act of God or other unforeseeable reason, Open Gate Sangha is committed to refunding your tuition fee in full. Please familiarize yourself with the cancellation or refund policies of any other party that you pay in making arrangements to attend retreat (e.g., for housing, travel, or otherwise), as Open Gate Sangha will not be obligated to reimburse such fees, nor monies forfeited.