Michael G. Burbank

Michael G. Burbank has been a student of Robert Thurman and HH the XIV Dalai Lama for 20 years, since his undergraduate years at Columbia University. In February of 2002 he was invited to help the Thurmans and Tibet House start the newly acquired Menla retreat. Over the years, he worked variously as Menla's dishwasher, housekeeper, Front of House Manager, and Assistant Director, and since 2013 he has served as Menla's Director of Administration. Michael received the Kalachakra Tantra initiation from His Holiness the Dalai Lama twice--in 2003 and 2017--in Bodh Gaya, India. An avid life-long student and practitioner of Buddhism, Michael teaches weekly classes at Menla and occasionally co-leads Menla retreats. He is working in conjunction with a team of entrepreneurs and mindfulness teachers to launch the Mindforce Institute, a for-profit mindfulness training company intended to further the efforts of Tibet House US/Menla nationwide. In his spare time, he works on spiritually-based graphic novels, including most recently as letterer and co-author of Man of Peace: the Illustrated Life Story of the Dalai Lama with William Meyers and Robert Thurman.

Upcoming Programs by Michael G. Burbank

“The genius is in the details of this place. Simple . elegant and chic. The food is always creative, delicious and healthy. The staff is right on. There is nothing they won’t do to make you comfortable. And then there’s the Spa. It’s the big embrace when you walk through the door. The whole place is a huge container of LOVE.”

Elaine Mackle

“As a residential employee, Menla is a beautiful place to live. Work doesn’t feel like work when surrounded by the natural beauty of upstate New York. The co-workers are all caring and dedicated, and form a community, rather than a workplace. I am grateful to make my home in such an environment of compassion and peace, and to make a living here as well.”

Wyatt Foxe

“Menla is indeed magical, a place out of time that is rich in presence. The vibrational quality of this sanctuary is palpable as well as the magnificent natural beauty. Healing, peaceful and luminous with Light, a pilgrimage to Menla evokes the proverbial Medicine Mountain, and yet it is so close to NYC. Our Ayurvedic massage and experience at Dewa Spa was transporting, regenerative and deeply nourishing. Looking forward to our next retreat here and sharing this treasure with friends.”

Sarah Drew

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