Our Fall Retreat in Western North Carolina

October 14th -19th: The Fall Retreat in Western North Carolina

This retreat will happen at a place called The Crow’s Nest (https://lutherock.org/retreat_rentals/crows-nest/), which is about an hour and a half north of Asheville, and a bit south of Boone, North Carolina. This will be our third retreat at the Crow’s Nest. I really like this facility. It has a great kitchen, and lots of hotel style rooms. Each room has its own bathroom and shower. The facility is way back in the woods and on a beautiful piece of property, so our retreat will happen in a lovely natural setting and in profound silence. It also offers an excellent porch on the south side with rocking chairs, and a great many hiking trails, one of which leads to the top of a mountain where there are 360° views. In addition, the Crow’s Nest is less expensive than other facilities we use, so I’m able to keep the costs down a bit when we do retreats here.

This retreat will cost $700, Plus whatever donation you feel moved to make.

About the Retreat:

This retreat will be conducted in the usual way. There will be periods of meditation, group discussions, one-on-one guidance appointments, yoga, and plenty of time to walk, rest, relax, or just be. The retreat will happen in silence outside of the group discussions. The intention is to create an environment that is conducive to introspection, relaxation, and connection with oneself, with the assistance of the tools and techniques offered in the workshop sessions. The experience will provide an opportunity to unplug from your cares and responsibilities, and to just be with yourself in an environment that supports awareness and compassion.

In terms of structure, we will follow a daily schedule together that will include:

Two to four (or more) half-hour meditation periods a day (there are choices you’ll be able to make with this)
Two group discussions per day.
Yoga (there will be options both for beginners and for folks who have a regular yoga practice)
One on one conversations with me for those who would appreciate that
Three delicious vegetarian meals
Time to walk, rest, and just be

The entire experience will be held in silence, as I said (apart from the workshop sessions and guidance). There will be small opportunities for working meditation as well. As always there will be plenty of yummy and nourishing food, and lots of space for reflection and being in nature.

The rooms will be shared. Camping is also an option, however, for those who wish to have more privacy (or who would just enjoy that). The cost is the same at this retreat for campers. Let me know if you’re interested in this option.

About the Costs:

I offer everything I do on a donation basis. I know that some people have plenty of money and some do not, and I’ve found that if I allow people to give what they can instead of charging a specific fee then those who have little give little, while those with more give more, and everything works out in the end.

We will be covering the physical costs of the retreat as a community. I will ask for the amount stated above up front from each person to cover these costs (food, lodging, staff transportation. and a few odds and ends). The more of us there are, the less the cost will be per person. If our numbers are small then the listed amounts should cover everything just right. If our numbers are large then a portion will go as a donation for the teachings–and I will let you know how much at the end of the retreat. If these amounts are more than you can afford, let me know and we’ll work something out. I’ll arrange for scholarships to be available to those who need them. If you would like to make a donation to support someone who would like to attend but cannot afford the cost, we would all be most grateful. In that case please add a note to your donation indicating that it’s for retreat scholarships.

In addition to the actual retreat costs, I will be asking for donations at the end of the retreat. These donations will support the sangha by paying for the various costs required in order to maintain an online practice community, and they will support me as I do the work that I am called to offer to the world.

In order to register, please go to www.theoneopendoor.org, scroll to the bottom of the homepage, and use the donation button there to make a non-refundable donation of $350. I am making this donation non-refundable in order to assist people in keeping their commitment to the retreat. As you may know from your own experience, often once that commitment is made the resistance begins. If you have a bit of skin in the game that may be just enough to help you get past the resistance. I will refund the deposit if there is an emergency or some unavoidable reason that you won’t be able to attend. After you make your donation please send me an email to let me know that you are making the donation in order to reserve a spot in a retreat, and let me know which retreat you’re signing up for.. Once I receive your retreat donation I will put you on the list.

If you have any questions or concerns don’t hesitate to email me at [email protected].

Thank you for your time and your attention to this. I hope once again you will consider this opportunity to deepen your practice and share your practice within community. I hope you also will forward this message to anyone you know who you think may be interested in attending. Thank you, my friends, for your ongoing support, for your willingness to do the work of ending suffering, and for being the beautiful people that you are!

In peace,

David