Located in the beautiful Finger Lakes
In the region of Western New York, just outside of Rochester is the Springwater Center. Surrounded by over 200-acres of rolling green hills, tranquil trails, open meadows and secluded hardwood forests, this serene Retreat Center offers guests a perfect location to relax and renew. In the middle of the land is a 12,000 square foot retreat center. The building includes 14 guest’s rooms, a kitchen facility, dining area and a sitting room with the ability to accommodate up to 45 guests. There is also a library, solarium and outdoor area that is perfect for seated meditation or for dining.
The Center was founded in 1981 by Toni Packer who has written five books and presented numerous workshops. Toni is trained in Zen Buddhism and was selected by Roshi Philip Kapleau to succeed him as the head of the Rochester Zen Center. He opted to leave the traditional forms of Buddhism in order to work with individuals in their meditative practice. People come to the Center to learn ways to meditate in silence and to connect with others who are dealing with and processing life’s difficulties.
Over the last several years…
The silent meditation retreats at the Center have evolved into innovative and interactive formats which guests have come to love. The basis of the program looks at utilizing daily timed sittings, a morning talk, and hour-long work period and meals that are communally prepared with shared responsibilities. The only requirement that the Center has is that guests perform their daily assigned job. Outside of that requirement guests are free to explore the Center as they see fit.
Springwater is an ideal place for solitary retreats or for guests to visit when there is a need in their lives to find a little space and quiet the outside noise. Overnight accommodations are available in the main building as well as a number of cabins in the woods. There are opportunities to attend as a guest of the facility or as a volunteer. As a volunteer guests participate in a daily work schedule at the center in exchange for lodging and food.
To learn more about what the Center has to offer, visit springwatercenter.org.
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