Clearlight, Darkness, and Nonduality at Menla

Immerse yourself in a transformative yoga retreat exploring the profound intersection of light, darkness, and nonduality. Join spiritual teachers Andrew Holecek and Mingtong Gu at Menla Retreat and Dewa Spa in Phoenicia, NY on Monday, October 26, 2026, for an intimate journey into non-dual awareness and ancient energy cultivation practices. This specialized yoga retreat event in Phoenicia brings together Tibetan Buddhist wisdom and traditional Chinese Qigong to create a unique pathway toward spiritual awakening and inner clarity.

Andrew Holecek, renowned spiritual teacher and author, guides practitioners through the sophisticated teachings of dream yoga and clear light meditation—practices that dissolve the boundary between waking and sleeping states. Complementing this work, Mingtong Gu, a Chinese Qigong master and founder of the Chi Healing Institute, shares time-honored energy practices that activate the body's natural healing channels. Together, they create a rare opportunity to experience how ancient contemplative traditions illuminate the nature of consciousness itself.

The atmosphere throughout this yoga retreat is one of gentle inquiry and profound stillness. You'll find yourself held in a supportive container where both rigorous study and direct experience unfold naturally, allowing deep insights to emerge without force. This is a retreat for those ready to venture beyond conventional meditation into the mystery of awareness itself.

What to Expect

This yoga retreat unfolds as a carefully sequenced exploration moving from foundational teachings into direct experience. Each session begins with grounding practices—Qigong movements that awaken subtle energy channels, followed by guided meditations on clear light and the nature of mind. You'll experience the interplay between structured teaching and spacious silence, between technique and effortless being.

Expect your days to begin at dawn with gentle movement and meditation as mist rises over the Catskill landscape. Morning teachings from both Andrew Holecek and Mingtong Gu will establish the conceptual framework, followed by hands-on practice sessions where you integrate these insights into your body and consciousness. Afternoons offer time for integration—resting, journaling, or deepening your personal practice in the retreat's serene spaces.

By evening, the retreat's energy naturally turns inward as participants gather for closing sessions focused on consolidating the day's realizations. You'll leave this yoga retreat event in Phoenicia with concrete practices you can bring home, a clearer understanding of nonduality as both philosophy and lived experience, and connections with fellow seekers walking similar paths.

About the Artists

Andrew Holecek is a respected spiritual teacher, author, and scholar of Tibetan Buddhism whose work has guided thousands into deeper meditation practice. His specialty in dream yoga and clear light meditation offers a direct gateway into understanding consciousness beyond ordinary waking states. Andrew brings decades of study and personal practice into teachings that are both intellectually rigorous and immediately applicable.

Mingtong Gu is a master of traditional Chinese Qigong and founder of the Chi Healing Institute, bridging ancient energy cultivation techniques with contemporary wellness science. His integrated approach honors thousands of years of Taoist and Buddhist practice while making these teachings accessible to modern practitioners worldwide. Mingtong's gift is translating subtle energetic principles into practices anyone can learn and benefit from immediately.

Venue & Location

Menla Retreat and Dewa Spa sits nestled in the rolling hills of Phoenicia, New York, within the scenic Catskill Mountains region. This dedicated retreat space is designed to support deep practice, with meditation halls, yoga studios, and spa facilities creating an environment of tranquility and renewal. The venue's natural setting—surrounded by forest and streams—naturally supports the inward focus essential to this yoga retreat work.

Located just two hours from New York City, Phoenicia offers accessibility without the distraction of urban energy. Ample parking is available on-site, and the retreat center is equipped with comfortable accommodations and nourishing meals to support your practice. The serene mountain atmosphere allows you to fully disconnect and engage with these transformative teachings.