“Take the backward step that turns the light and shines it inward.”
- Zen Master Dogen
How we pay attention, both on and off the cushion, determines our experience. When we take the backward step, letting go of grasping and chasing after experience, the body and mind relax and the heart responds with compassion and clarity. We release the limiting stories of who we are and reconnect with our boundless, empty nature. We rest in the vastness and silence of awareness itself.
This residential 5 day/4 night, held mostly in silence is recommended for both beginning and experienced meditators. Format will be Vipassana style sitting and walking segments and will include daily instructions, dharma talks and discussions.
Lisa Ernst is the founder and guiding teacher at One Dharma Nashville. She has been meditating for over 25 years in the Zen and Vipassana Traditions. She received dharma transmission in the Thai Forest Lineage of Ajahn Chah, Jack Kornfield and Trudy Goodman. In her teaching, Lisa emphasizes both transformational insight and everyday awakening as an invitation to embrace all of the path’s possibilities. As a practicing visual artist Lisa also incorporates Dharma into painting and contemplative photography.
Facility The
Sautee Hereford Lodge sits on
a beautiful 350 acre ranch in North East Georgia (2 hours from Atlanta). The lodge has 12 bedrooms, 6½ baths, a full kitchen and eating area, and separated meditation hall. The lodge has full HVAC.
Climate Control The retreat organizer will set thermostats to maintain a reasonable temperature and air flow in the lodge and meditation hall. The fans on the units can be noisy and guests should be prepared for the noise. Anyone who experiences discomfort should contact the retreat organizer and should not adjust thermostats.
Accommodations You may choose a shared room in the lodge or tent camping on the grounds. Roommate assignments are made by the organizers. Please be considerate to your roommate.
Meditation Hall The teacher will designate 
how the meditation hall is to be used, including AC, seating arrangements, bell protocols, window treatments, lighting, and arrival time. The Meditation Hall Team will carry out the teacher's wishes and should be contacted with any issues.
Schedule Registration is from 4-6pm Wednesday. The retreat begins Wednesday evening with a meal at 6pm and ends Sunday after lunch and cleanup (about 2pm).
Late Arrivals Because many folks will need to work on Wednesday, if you have been on retreat with us previously, you may arrive until 9pm on Wednesday night. Please indicate your planned arrival time on your registration form.
Meals Meals are vegetarian with dairy (labeled). Coffee, tea and snacks will be available during breaks.
All participants will have an opportunity for silent work in the kitchen to help prepare or cleanup our food.
Cost The cost of this retreat is $200 per person and includes accommodations and all meals. There will be an opportunity to practice Dana (generosity) to the teacher.
This cost covers the facility, food, accommodations, and teacher expenses. It provides no profit to Red Clay Sangha. If we have more than 20 participants, it also will help cover a scholarship fund for those needing assistance.
Financial Assistance We would like for every one to be able to attend regardless of ability to pay. To achieve this goal, we need those who are able to contribute into a fund to help pay for those who are unable. This gives everyone the opportunity to practice generosity together.
All funds collected for this purpose will be divided equally between those who have requested them. You will be notified no later than 1 week prior to the retreat if there are insufficient funds to meet your request.
Payment and Cancellation Full payment is required two weeks prior to the retreat to guarantee your spot. If payment or scholarship request has not been received, RCS reserves the right to fill spaces from any waiting list.
Cancellations at least two weeks prior to the retreat will be fully refunded. After this date, full refunds will be given only if the spot can be filled from the waiting list. If the spot cannot be filled, 2/3 will be refunded up to 2 days before the retreat.
No refunds will be made for cancellations less than two days prior to the retreat.
Retreat Positions Red Clay Sangha is a peer-based orginization with no staff. All retreat roles are performed by the participants to support each other during the retreat.
In this way, everyone does a little and no one is stressed out. You will have an opportunity to sign up for the retreat roles prior to the retreat and kitchen duties (either cooking or cleaning once per day) at the retreat.
Kitchen orientation will be given after breakfast cleanup on Thursday morning. It is helpful if those who are helpless with cooking sign-up for dishwashing instead of cooking.
There is not a designated work practice time on the schedule.
Dana is the practice of generosity and helps remind us of the fundamental connected nature of life. By supporting our teachers we deepen our own experience on the path of practice
while helping them to support others.
Teachers generously give their time and energy through listening, sharing and teaching, often without financial reward. Offering dana makes it possible for them to continue their work and is their primary means of support.
In the spirit of this tradition, all participants will have an opportunity to make a voluntary contribution, called dana, at the end of the retreat. Because participants often ask what is considered appropriate, we offer the following guidelines: you may wish to make a contribution between $100-$200 for the retreat. Keep in mind your personal ability to give and what others might be able to contribute. Dana is entirely from the heart.
The Red Clay Sangha membership covers the travel expenses and a small contribution to the teacher. The retreat fees are used exclusively to cover the cost of the facility and food.