Come for a full weekend of mindfulness practice in an absolutely gorgeous forest setting, a hidden gem within Charlotte. Mindfulness helps us to dwell happily in the present moment and to take good care of whatever we might be suffering with. This is a great opportunity to let go of the city-life and business as usual routine in order to relax, unwind and find some deep peace, release and joy.
Retreat Teachers: The retreat will be led by David Viafora and Nick Neild. David 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 has taught mindfulness courses and led retreats for physicians, educators, families, young adults, children and teens, and more. David also works as a licensed clincial social worker. For more information about his work of building mindfulness communities around the world, visit Sangahbuild.org. Nick has been practicing in the same tradition since 2011 and is an aspirant for the Order of Interbeing. He has been facilitating, staffing and supporting meditation communities, tours and retreats in the U.S. and Europe. He works as a teacher, is a Certified Anger Management Facilitator (CAMF-1) and is the Executive Director of Greatwoods Zen.
Finances/dana: Our retreat fee is waived for this opening retreat as a gift to our beloved community. Instead, participants are invited to offer ‘dana’, a Sanskrit word for ‘generosity.’ As generosity comes in many forms, we welcome it all, but a financial offering will mainly go towards food costs, organizing costs, and renting the facility. In addition, it will help grow the facility and allow for more retreats to manifest in the future. Lastly, some finances may go to retreat teachers, for their time, energy, care for the retreat, and skillfulness in transmitting practices that help people heal, strengthen, and transform. There is no set amount or suggestion, so you can share what feels fair for you to contribute.
Expectations: The retreat includes programming Friday evening, all day Saturday, and Sunday half day (see the proposed schedule below). The retreat will include some vegetarian meals, but those with special dietary needs might want to bring what they feel is needed; a refrigerator is available. Guests are also asked to bring their own bedding (a twin sized fitted sheet, flat sheet, pillow and blanket —or sleeping bag— if staying indoors) as well as a towel and toiletries. 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 is shared by others of the same gender and twin sized memory foam mattresses are provided. Some common room space and queen bedrooms may also be provided off-site (which includes a free 5 minute shuttle ride; ask if interested).
*Retreat Schedule:
Nov 10 - 12, 2023
Friday
4 to 6pm - Arrival
6pm - Dinner (silent)
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 / movements
8am - Breakfast (silent)
9am - Community Games and Singing
9:30am - Service Meditation
10:45am - Walking Meditation
11:30am - Dharma Talk
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 Talk
11:15am - Closing Dharma Sharing
12pm - Picnic Lunch
1pm - Closing Clean Up & goodbyes
*This is a proposed schedule to provide an idea of what to expect, and it is subject to change.
Song Sheets:
During our retreat we will get a chance to use some practice songs. These songs aid our practice in many ways. We will provide song sheets at the retreat, but if you would like to see the words for the songs in advance and listen to them, you can click the button below for a printable song sheet with embedded links to online videos. Enjoy!
Register here:
If you would like to register for this retreat, click the following button to get to our registration page.