December 4–6, 2026 · West Bend, WI
The Longest Night: a meditation retreat
A weekend meditation retreat for men in the Wisconsin woods: sitting, walking and mindful movement, mostly in silence, with lodging and meals included. You’ve had ten thousand evenings. How many do you remember?
- When
- Friday–Sunday, December 4–6, 2026
Arrive by 4:30 PM Friday; depart 2:00 PM Sunday - Where
- Retreat Center at Cedar Valley
5349 County Road D, West Bend, WI 53090 - Cost
- $545 double occupancy · $595 single occupancy
Lodging and six meals included - Host
- Tony Schmidt — meditation coach, MenLiving facilitator, and Qigong enthusiast
A Mindful MenLiving meditation retreat
What this weekend is
Two unplugged days, far from the beaten path, with the whole retreat center to ourselves. In Tony’s words: a night is long when you’re finally awake for all of it.
The weekend
- Open to all men — new to meditation or long-time practitioners — who are willing to sit, listen, and engage respectfully.
- Simple mindfulness sitting practice, walking meditation, and movement like Qigong and yoga, so the inner noise can settle like silt at the bottom of a pond.
- Time to look honestly at how we were shaped as men and how those patterns show up today. With awareness, we can release what no longer serves and choose what does.
How we practice
- Seated and walking meditation, mindful movement, and intentional pauses
- Clear guidance for newcomers and depth for experienced practitioners
- Open time outdoors on the grounds
- Simple agreements: confidentiality, respect, and phones off
Comfort
Wear loose, comfortable clothing. Bring a cushion or bench if you use one; chairs are available. Bring warm clothes and shoes for walking the grounds and for the fire on Saturday evening. A small notebook is useful.
How the weekend runs
The weekend is held in noble silence, and it moves in an arc. Friday evening we arrive talking: dinner, an opening circle, connection work in the spirit of MenLiving. Silence begins at night’s end and holds through Saturday, meals included. Saturday night’s fire breaks the silence, but stays quiet. Sunday late morning we break silence for good and come back to where we started: connection, integration, and a circle of men.
Saturday night: the fire ritual
All weekend the silence gathers; Saturday night it walks with us to the fire. Each man burns, without a word, something he wrote earlier that day — whatever he’s ready to release. Then, lighting a candle from the same fire, he speaks his first words of the evening: a word or a phrase for what he’s carrying forward. It’s the turning point of the longest night: what you’re done with behind you, a lit candle in your hand.
The schedule
- Friday. Arrive and register by 4:30 PM. Dinner at 5:30, in conversation. Opening circle and connection work at 6:30. Noble silence begins at night’s end.
- Saturday. Practice blocks, movement, optional time in nature. The evening fire: burn something you’re ready to let go of, light a candle for what you’re carrying forward, a short window of quiet conversation, then back to silence.
- Sunday. Morning practice. Break silence late morning. Connection circles and integration. Depart at 2:00 PM.
Cost and lodging
Two nights’ lodging with private bath, towels and bedding, the meeting room, and six meals starting with Friday dinner. If on-site rooms sell out, nearby hotels are available and the fee is adjusted. No donation is requested; the registration price covers all costs.
- Double occupancy: $545
- Single occupancy: $595
Questions? Write to todd@menliving.org.
Ready when you are
Most circles are free. Find a date that works for you, and take part by listening or sharing.