The times are urgent. Let us slow down.

- Bayo Akomolafe

A three-month immersion into Meditation, Community Living and Nature Connection for 18-25 year olds.

Feb 1 - May 8, 2026
Potash Hill, Vermont

Applications open April 1, 2025

Interested in living in contemplative community?

Get updates on the Spring ‘26 Contemplative Semester!

The question is -  

What do you do with these fleeting days?

What do you seek?

What is it that you truly desire?

What is your prayer? Your vow in life?

You must look into yourself to answer this question

Shodo Harada

Learn how to live at peace with yourself and all beings.

CS will help you:

  • Slow down to find what really matters to you 

  • Feel secure & balanced inside yourself

  • Clarify your values & purpose in life

  • Listen to your inner guidance  

  • Navigate uncertainty with greater resilience & inner peace

“I learned in ways that I did not imagine that I would. I learned that life can be a practice. There is a way to relate to my life from a balanced place, which is amazing to actually try out. I didn't expect how much I would actually embody and learn practices in my daily life.”

Josie, CS ‘24 Alum

What is the Contemplative Semester?

CS is a 3-month immersion in Contemplative Wisdom, Community Living and Earth Connection for 18-25 year olds.

  • 4 Weeks of (mostly) Silent Meditation Retreats

  • A holistic curriculum integrating Buddhist Wisdom, Meditation, Nonviolent Communication, Nature Connection & Contemplative Discernment

  • Living in Community based on collaboration & shared ethics

  • College credits offered and optional

What will I learn?

At CS, you learn and practice how to…

Find Peace Within Yourself

  • Integrate Buddhist wisdom & meditation into daily life

  • Discern and embody your deepest values

  • Work with strong emotions & habitual thoughts

  • Live with connection & harmony to the natural world

  • Develop a resilient heart & mind that can face anything

Build Peace Together

  • Access and speak your truth

  • Listen deeply to others with care

  • Skillfully navigate conflict & power dynamics

  • Respond to the polycrisis of ecological, social & political breakdown with compassion & wisdom

  • Apply Buddhist ethics and nonviolence in communication, relationships & issues of social change

VISITING FACULTY (more to come!)

Donate to support student scholarships for the ‘26 Contemplative Semester

Have more questions? Check out our FAQs or email us at contemplative.semester@gmail.com.