There’s so much beauty in suffering. When you go through the suffering that a lot of us have, you go through such a darkness that you learn to have gratitude for the smallest thing. There were times I didn’t think that I was going to make it out of that space. But when you’ve hit a certain level of suffering and you think there is nothing else, you can look back at these times in that darkness and be like, man, if I didn’t know the depths and the levels of darkness, I wouldn’t be able to enjoy this moment right now. When I was literally crawling on the bottom, like “I don’t know if I can make it,” Zen was like “Yes, you can.”
Hakim Tafari (Movement Teacher)
Movement Teacher
Hakim has studied martial arts since 1996, beginning with Southern-style Praying Mantis Kung Fu. After a major knee injury, his focus shifted to the internal arts. Following extensive research and reflection, he began dedicated study and practice of Tai Chi Chuan.
Since 1998, Hakim has immersed himself in the internal martial arts—practicing, teaching, researching, and deepening his connection to the spiritual roots of these traditions. His path naturally led him to Taoism, which resonated deeply with the meditative and mystical qualities of Tai Chi.
Over the years, Hakim has studied with respected teachers in a range of arts, including Tai Chi, Wuji, Qigong, Baguazhang, Aikido, and the Filipino stick-fighting discipline of Arnis. His commitment to a lifestyle grounded in veganism and martial arts eventually opened the door to the profound teachings of Buddhism. Through the Dharma—the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path—he continues to cultivate calm, clarity, and mindfulness, guiding his actions and dissolving the grip of ego.
Hakim Tafari (Movement Teacher)'s Upcoming Programs
Retreat | On-Land
October 3 - October 20, 2026 | Saturday - Tuesday | 17 nights
17-night Retreat: Concentration (Samādhi) & Fall Insight Retreat
A Special Opportunity for Deep, Integrated Practice: 17-Night Retreat in the Fall
Full - short waitlist. For those seeking an extended retreat experience this fall, we encourage you to consider attending both the Concentration (Samādhi) (Oct 2-12) and the Fall Insight Retreat (Oct 12-20) as one continuous 17-night retreat. These two retreats are intentionally designed to complement one another, offering a rare opportunity to deepen in both heart and wisdom practices.
This combined retreat supports a natural progression in the meditative path: cultivating samādhi as a foundation, followed by insight practices (vipassanā) grounded in that settled presence. Teachers see this integration as essential. Uniting these practices brings enhanced clarity and depth to both. While each retreat may be attended on its own, we strongly recommend that practitioners who are ready for a longer commitment join both as one cohesive training.
Tuere Sala
Eugene Cash
Brian Lesage
devon hase
Vance Pryor
Kristina Baré
Hakim Tafari (Movement Teacher)
Ronya Fakhoury Banks (Teacher in Training)
Adam Stonebraker (Teacher in Training)
Retreat | On-Land
October 12 - October 20, 2026 | Monday - Tuesday | 8 nights
Fall Insight Meditation Retreat
Spaces Still Available! Rooted in the Thai Forest Tradition, this vipassanā retreat invites a deep settling of the mind, an opening of the heart, and a steady cultivation of clarity and insight. Through a blend of traditional meditation instruction and the nourishing presence of lovingkindness, participants will be guided toward greater stillness, spaciousness, and embodied awareness. The retreat will include periods of seated and walking meditation, Dharma talks, optional movement practices, and one-on-one meetings with teachers to support your journey of practice.
Tuere Sala
Eugene Cash
devon hase
Hakim Tafari (Movement Teacher)
Adam Stonebraker (Teacher in Training)
Short Program | Online
Sunday, November 15 | 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Cultivating Internal Magic: Exploring the Ancient Practice of Qi Gong
Join us for a transformative day of practice as we explore the beautiful and timeless art of Qi Gong, a powerful form of mindful movement. Through step-by-step guidance, interwoven with periods of stillness and sitting, we'll experience how breath and body work in harmony to promote a myriad of benefits, such as balance, vitality, and well-being.
Hakim Tafari (Movement Teacher)
Retreat | On-Land
December 27 - January 4, 2027 | Sunday - Monday | 8 nights
New Year's Insight Meditation Retreat
Spaces Still Available! This is a traditional Insight Meditation (vipassanā) retreat with stillness and movement in silence, and meetings with teachers. Each day there will be meditation instructions, Dharma talks, and movement practice. We will mark the turning of the year with a late evening sitting and simple ceremony on New Year’s Eve. In celebration of the New Year, our focus will be on cultivating loving awareness and embracing each moment as fresh and new. All are welcome.
Eugene Cash
devon hase
DaRa Williams
Yong Oh
Hakim Tafari (Movement Teacher)
nico hase (Teacher in Training)
Retreat | On-Land
June 14 - June 18, 2027 | Monday - Friday | 4 nights
Young Adult Insight Meditation Retreat
Designed for Young Adults ages 18-32 years. Registration Open. Join us to practice silent mindfulness meditation with a community of kind, sincere peers. Give yourself a break from constant overstimulation and external demands as we create a supportive space for cultivating greater calm, spaciousness, and presence. Together we will explore the ancient practices of guided and silent sitting, walking, and heart meditations, along with movement, teacher meetings, and Dharma talks. Over the course of the week, we will extend these practices until the entire day is one of steady, continuous awareness.
Matthew Brensilver
Cara Lai
Vinny Ferraro
Hakim Tafari (Movement Teacher)
Fernmarie Rodriguez (Teacher in Training)