Looking for the perfect place to hold your group’s retreat? We invite you to renew your practice at the beautifully restored, historic Beecher House.
The historic Beecher House sits on the shore of the highest lake in the Catskills, surrounded by 1,400 acres of pristine wilderness. In 2021, the building was completely renovated, with the addition of a new solarium and expansive deck opening out onto Beecher Lake and a wide view of the mountains beyond. Dai Bosatsu Zendo, our beautiful Zen monastery with its traditional Japanese architecture, is just a short walk away.
Our caring monastics and DBZ residents are always on hand, supporting the powerful work of all the Open Space groups in every way possible. Participants are welcome to join in a modified monastic schedule, including zazen, chanting and traditional jihatsu (three bowl) meals in the main dining room.
The Open Space Program at the Beecher House has included AA retreats and yoga, tai chi and other holistic health workshops ever since it began. Participants return again and again to immerse themselves in this safe, healing and joyful place.
For decades, the Open Space program has been home to our special Healing and Wellness Weekend. The Beecher House opened its doors to those with HIV/AIDS and their caregivers at a time when fear and misunderstanding meant they were often not welcome elsewhere. It gave shelter for their work — coming to terms with this devastating disease and mourning for those who had passed. As one of the holistic practitioners offering treatments during these weekends said, “Who was healing and who was being healed? All of us.”
Today, the Healing and Wellness Weekend is open to everyone suffering with chronic disease, as well as their caregivers and volunteer bodywork practitioners. The weekend includes meditation, group discussion and support, and various treatment modalities.
For more information on the Zen Studies Society’s Open Space program, please call us at (845) 439-4566, or email the DBZ office.