Come for a full weekend of mindfulness practice in a gorgeous forest setting, a truly hidden gem of nature within Charlotte. Practicing mindfulness means dwelling in the present moment, touching the wonders of life within and around us, and compassionately attending to the sources of stress and suffering that arise. This retreat is an opportunity to let go of the busyness of city-life, unwind in a beautiful setting, and open the wellsprings of peace, joy, and healing within.
Retreat Teachers:
The retreat will be led by David Viafora and Nick Neild.
David is an ordained member of the Order of Interbeing, and has been practicing meditation in the Plum Village Zen tradition for over 20 years. He has organized and led mindfulness retreats around the world, throughout Europe, in Oceania, and North America. David teaches mindfulness courses and retreats for physicians, educators, families, young adults, children, and teens, among others, while also working as a licensed clinical social worker and therapist. He is finishing a book on the art of mindful community building called, Thriving Together: 9 Principles for Building True Community (Parallax, Fall 2024).
Nick spent the last 5 years living in Prague, Czech Republic, although, he is originally from San Diego, California. He has been practicing in the Plum Village tradition since 2011 and became an ordained member of the Order of Interbeing on April 28th, 2024. He has been facilitating and supporting meditation communities, tours and retreats in the U.S. and Europe. He is the author of Just Bee (Zen Activist Press, Dec. 2019), a children’s book which teaches mindfulness. He has taught mindfulness to children, teens and adults in schools, rehabs and one on one with private clients. He works as a teacher, is a Certified Anger Management Facilitator (CAMF-1) and does admin work for Greatwoods Zen.
Finances:
Our retreat fee is based on both programming and accommodations which includes all retreat activities, meals and lodging.
Here are the standard and early bird rates:*
Commuter/Camping: $275 total for the weekend
Indoor Bunk-bed: $375 total for the weekend
Early bird rate = $325 until midnight on 10/9*
Sliding Scale: $190 - $450
Scholarships:
We are dedicated to making this retreat accessible for everyone to participate regardless of access to resources. If you want to apply for a scholarship, before registering, please click the following link to apply:
https://www.greatwoodszen.org/scholarship-request If you have any questions, you can also call us at (980) 221-5086.
Cancellation Policy:
30+ days prior to start of retreat = Full refund minus $50 admin fee
10 to 30 days prior to start of retreat = 75% refund
Within 10 days until the start of retreat = No refund
If you have any questions, you can also call us at (980) 221-5086.
Dana:
Participants are also invited to offer ‘dana’, a Sanskrit word for ‘generosity.’ The retreat has been priced to be as financially accessible for people as possible. The funds primarily go to food costs, organizing costs, renting the facility, and administrative labor costs. Dana is a financial offering towards the retreat teachers, for their time, energy, care for the retreat, and skillfulness in transmitting practices that help people heal, strengthen, and transform.
Expectations:
The retreat includes programming for Friday evening, all day Saturday, and Sunday half day (see sample schedule below). Breakfast and lunch will be provided on Saturday and Sunday , and a catered vegetarian dinner will be offered on Saturday evening. Dinner will not be served on Friday evening. Participants are also invited to notify the staff about any other dietary needs and are more than welcome to bring any food that will make the stay comfortable. Lastly, a refrigerator is available for people to bring any foods or medicine that are necessary for them.
Guests are also asked to bring their own bedding (an appropriately sized fitted sheet, flat sheet, pillow, pillowcase and blanket —or sleeping bag— if staying indoors) as well as a towel and toiletries (bedding can be provided if needed for $25). Guests who will be camping are expected to provide their own tent, sleeping pad, sleeping bag, headlamp and anything else that might be needed to camp. The common room space can be used for accommodation upon request and twin sized memory foam mattresses are provided.
Arrival day/departure day
Please register only if you are able to arrive on the first day and be here for the entire retreat. Our intention with retreats is to build and hold the collective energy and for that reason we all benefit by having people arrive at the start of the retreat and leave at the end.
No Multiple Reservations
Please do separate reservations for each registrant.
Basic Practices
During our retreat you will get a chance to practice mindfulness in a variety of ways. Although there is no need to have any experience with meditation to join this retreat, it is helpful to be aware of the basic practices. You can find them in the ‘About’ section of this website.
Sample Retreat Schedule:
(the schedule can change prior to and during the retreat, however this will give you an general idea of what to expect):
Friday
6pm - Arrival
7:30pm - Orientation, Intros, and Opening meditation
9pm - Noble Silence
Saturday
6am - Wake Up
6:30am - Guided Meditation and Sutra Reading
Individual time for tea / mindful movements
8am - Breakfast (silent)
9am - Community Games and Singing
9:30am - Service Meditation
10:45am - Walking Meditation
11:30am - Dharma Experience Sharing
12:30pm - Lunch (silent for first 15 minutes)
Rest and Free time
2:30pm - Deep Relaxation
3:30pm - Dharma Sharing
5pm - Free time
6pm - Dinner (silent for first 15 minutes)
7:30pm - Happiness Meeting with tea and dessert
9pm - Noble Silence
Sunday
6am - Wake Up
6:30am - Guided Meditation and Sutra Reading
Individual time for tea / movements
8am - Breakfast (silent)
9am - Community Games and Singing
9:30am - Walking Meditation
10:30am - Dharma Experience Sharing
11:15am - Closing Dharma Sharing
12pm - Picnic Lunch
1pm - Closing Clean Up & goodbyes
*Again, this is a sample schedule to provide an idea of the retreat weekend, and is subject to change.
Register here:
If you would like to register for this retreat, click the following button to get to our registration page.
Flyer:
Feel free to click to following image and download our flyer so you can share it with your friends or family.