Even though a large piece of what we are asked to look at in our practice is not so easy to bear, the Dharma is actually such good news. The good news is that we have the capacity to be whole, to be embodied, to be here. When we make the slight shift from being simply carried along by what might be called the stream of distress—our mind stream, everything we’re thinking about, everything we’re worried about, everything we want, everything that is not working in our life—to noticing it, that is the beginning of freedom.
Howard Cohn, MA
Residential Retreat Teacher
Howard Cohn has practiced meditation since 1972, and has led vipassana retreats since 1985. He leads a weekly ongoing class in San Francisco. Howard has studied with many Asian and western teachers of several traditions, including Theravada, Zen, Dzogchen and Advaita Vedanta, and has been strongly influenced by contact with the Indian master H.W.L. Poonja. He has done postgraduate work in East/West Psychology and has a private counseling practice.
Howard Cohn's Upcoming Programs
Short Program | On-Land
Sunday, August 24 | 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
An Insight Meditation Day of Practice: Recovering Our Natural Peace
This day of practice in the Insight Meditation tradition is an invitation to reawaken our capacity for mindfulness and friendliness. Cultivating a relaxed, kind, and curious attention to our present moment experience, we can recover our natural peace, clarity, wisdom, and compassion. This direct experience of the present moment enables us to connect with ourselves more intimately, understand the causes of both suffering and happiness, and discover our natural freedom and ease.
Howard Cohn
Retreat | On-Land
August 27 - September 1, 2025 | Wednesday - Monday | 5 nights
Labor Day Insight Meditation Retreat
A Few Spaces Available! This retreat emphasizes quieting the mind, opening the heart, and developing clarity and depth of practice. Traditional instructions will be combined with a spirit of lovingkindness, and our time together will include a schedule of silent sitting and walking periods, guided Yoga/movement sessions, as well as practice meetings with teachers and daily Dharma talks. This retreat is for experienced as well as new students.
Retreat | On-Land
December 8 - December 12, 2025 | Monday - Friday | 4 nights
Disentangling the Heart: Clear Awareness and Insight
Spaces Still Available! The Buddha taught that we can disentangle ourselves from suffering by practicing wise mindfulness supported by non-harming conduct, intentions rooted in kindness and non-clinging, and other wholesome factors of mind. During this silent retreat, we will explore our innate capacity for liberating insight. We will cultivate a deeply restful, mindful attention to each moment’s experience that opens us to joy, ease, and a greater understanding of the truth of the way things are.
Retreat | On-Land
January 5 - January 10, 2026 | Monday - Saturday | 5 nights
Winter Insight Meditation Retreat
Registration Opens - July 15, 2025. The Buddha’s teachings remind us of the ever-present possibility of waking up to a sense of well-being, presence, and true nature that does not depend on circumstances. This silent Insight Meditation (vipassanā) retreat, designed for both new and experienced meditators, will include systematic instructions in vipassanā meditation following the Four Foundations of Mindfulness. The retreat will also include lovingkindness meditation, meetings with teachers, and evening talks highlighting the central teachings of the Buddha and their practical application to our lives.
Dharma Library
Can't join us live online or on the land? Study and practice at your convenience with Howard Cohn through our new library of recordings, articles, and self-paced online courses.