Meditation Retreats for Deep Practice

Twice a year, we offer retreats open to the public. The first is a two-week period in the end of March, as part of our birthday activities. The second is for the month of July. Universal Door was opened to offer support for deep practice to end suffering, and so each year we offer these retreat opportunities for those interested in meditation to come, learn and apply meditation practice in a residential retreat environment. Participants may stay with us for any length of time, from one day to two weeks, and deepen the ability to practice in any situation.

The retreat is open for anyone over age 12. The cost is $ 50 per day. Sleeping place and vegetarian meals are included. Each day we have four meditation sessions, as well as working meditation, Question and Answer time, walking meditation and meal meditation. Every moment is a chance to apply our practice, to recognize the symptoms and cause of our suffering.

The instructions and guidance for our practice will be given by Zen Master Thich Dieu Thien. She was born and raised in Vietnam and is now living in the United States at the Universal Door Meditation Center in Houston, Texas. She is a Buddhist nun devoted to teaching the direct path to end suffering. Through her own direct experience, she teaches students to watch themselves. Her teaching is to watch oneself without relying on intellect, concepts, books, sutras or other people’s experience. Everything she teaches aims to the purpose of discovering oneself in order to end suffering. The practice of discovering oneself is applied in every form of daily life, like eating, drinking, walking, exercise, sitting, chanting, working, listening to dharma talks, etc. Through watching oneself, one will see clearly what suffering is, will realize the root, the nature that makes up suffering, and one will end the suffering.

“What is suffering?”

“Do you want to continue to live with suffering?”

Basic Information

Please read everything on our website to give you a clear understanding about our purpose, our practice and our daily schedule. The retreat is an opportunity for people, especially newcomers who feel connected with our purpose, to join our practice and live our regular everyday schedule. We are very happy to welcome anyone who would like to come practice with us!

This is a wonderful and rare opportunity for deep practice. To best support this intention, we ask that you do not use any cell phones or pagers during the retreat. For any emergency purposes, family members may call our Center (281-565-9718) to reach you. This may seem inconvenient, but it will offer the optimal situation to learn, apply and deepen your practice. Please leave any CD or cassette players, books, writing materials or other distractions at home. During your time here, please do not plan any outside trips or visits. Bring whatever you need with you but only what you truly need.

What to bring: Personal items, like alarm clock, toiletries, small bath towel, flashlight, umbrella, bed sheets or sleeping bag. We recommend you wear slip-on shoes for convenience when going in or out of each building. If you are staying for more than one day-time visit, we ask that everyone wear the grey practice clothes (Ao Trang and Vat Khach in Vietnamese). If you do not have any, they can be purchased here. The price depends on the size, ranging from $30 to $40, for each of the two parts.

Getting here:

v If you live locally and plan to stay overnight, please arrange to be dropped off and picked up, if possible. Parking is limited.

v For those driving from a distance, parking will be provided. You may want to consult a map or the internet (our website has a direct link to MapQuest) for the best route into Houston. From Highway 59, take the W. Bellfort exit (located between Highway 8-Sam Houston Tollway and Alt.-90) headed west. After about 3 miles, at the light for Eldridge – Synott Road, turn left onto Eldridge. The first light is Florence, turn right. The second street on the right is Charles Lane, turn right. We are the third house on the left, 2619 Charles Lane.

v If you are arriving by airplane, we recommend you take a taxi directly to our Center. We are not able to pick up each person. You can go to the taxi stand at the airport or call in advance. United Cab (713-699-0000) costs about $70 (45-60 min.) from Intercontinental Airport and about $55 (45 min.) from Hobby Airport.

Please remember that our practice is to Watch the mind and body constantly, to recognize our suffering and continue Watching until we realize the cause and nature of the suffering. Our intention is not to stay away from problems. There may be things that are a bit uncomfortable or inconvenient. We invite everyone to recognize these feelings and reactions, to see these situations as a perfect chance to know more about who we are, and to continue to use them for practice.