Thursday, October 15 – Sunday, October 18, 2026
taught by Michael Taft
Come join the Deconstructing Yourself sangha online for a meditation retreat this coming March!
This retreat runs for four days. We will focus on nondual meditation practice, with the particular theme of finding openness in meditation and in life. Michael will be teaching and leading guided meditation, as well as conducting interviews with some students. This is a unique opportunity to work with Michael and the sangha.
If you have studied with Michael Taft previously, in the Hacking the Stack, Vast Sky Mind, Tantra, or Reversing the Stack Courses, or if you have followed his teachings at The Alembic or on Youtube, or are a one-on-one coaching student of his, you are the intended audience for this retreat (you know who you are). If you haven’t worked with Michael in any way before, but have a strong background in meditation, particularly in nondual, Vajrayana, or Hindu tantric traditions, then you will probably do well at this retreat, albeit with some additional learning of the framework, vocabulary, practices, etc., required. Familiarity with mantras, pranayama, visualization, etc., is not required, but will be helpful.
Michael is pleased to have Laura Ward teaching movement at the retreat. She will be offering optional meditative movement sessions each full day. These will be mat classes informed by functional movement, Pilates, and yoga, and will include aspects of the Universal Mandala in breath and motion. This will be an opportunity to deepen your spacious embodiment while releasing some of the kinks from sitting practice. Sitting still for long hours can be painful and meditative movement is an excellent way to get your body in motion again while maintaining a meditative mindset. No former experience is required for this practice.
How It Works
This retreat takes place on Zoom. Make sure you have the latest version of the software.
Michael will teach every day of the retreat, as well as lead guided meditations, and meet with students one-on-one. Information on how to sign up for these ten-minute meetings will be provided before the start of the retreat.
Additionally, a number of Teaching Assistants (TAs) will be available for one-on-one meetings. If you feel you want/need more guidance, or just to check in, you are encouraged to meet with them. Each will have their own schedule and sign up sheet.
At times when there is no teaching, you are encouraged to practice, either on your own or sitting with others in community on Zoom. You are welcome to enter or leave the Zoom meditation hall as you need to, even during the sits with bells.
Recordings from Michael’s teaching sessions and Laura’s movement classes will be posted as soon as possible during the retreat. You are in your own space, so feel free to take meals and movement breaks as fits your schedule and needs.
Schedule
This is a draft schedule and is subject to change.
All times are Pacific Time.
Day 1: Thursday, Oct 15
- Opening, Welcome, Instructions, Q&A 8:00-9:00 am
- Michael Teaching 9:00-10:30 am
- Laura’s Meditative Movement 11:00 am-12:00 pm
- Meditation 2:00-6:00 pm
- Michael Teaching 6:30–8:15 pm [from the Alembic]
Day 2: Friday, Oct 16
- Meditation 1:00–3:00 am
- Meditation 5:00-7:45 am
- Michael Teaching 8:00-10:30 am
- Laura’s Meditative Movement 11:00 am-12:00 pm
- Meditation 2:00-4:45 pm
- Michael Teaching 5:00-7:00 pm
Day 3: Saturday, Oct 17
- Meditation 1:00–3:00 am
- Meditation 5:00-7:45 am
- Michael Teaching 8:00-10:30 am
- Laura’s Meditative Movement 11:00 am-12:00 pm
- Meditation 2:00-4:45 pm
- Michael Teaching 5:00-7:00 pm
Day 4: Sunday, Oct 18
- Meditation 1:00–3:00 am
- Meditation 5:00-7:45 am
- Michael Teaching 8:00-10:30 am
- Laura’s Meditative Movement 11:00am–12:00 pm
- Meditation 12:15–1:15 pm
- Michael Teaching & Closing 1:30–3:30 pm
- End of Retreat 3:30 pm
Fees
To reduce barriers to participation the DY Online Fall Retreat has a single flat-rate registration fee of $250.
You are welcome to attend as much or as little of the retreat as you wish, and are able to. If you can only participate a day or two, that’s fine. The fee is the same in any case.
If you would like to offer Dana to Laura, and/or the TAs information will be shared at the end of the retreat.
See You There!
Thursday, October 15 – Sunday, October 18, 2026
Please direct any questions to Kristen Connolly