Silence, walking and sitting meditation, mindful meals, Dharma discussion, yoga, and talks by and personal interviews with the teacher are intended to provide conditions favorable for the practices of knowing the mind and telling the truth taking root in each participant.
This residential 4-day/3-night retreat retreat, held mostly in silence and including more meditation practice than previous retreats with Therese, is recommended for both beginning and experienced meditators.
Therese Fitzgerald received Dharmacharya ordination by Thich Nhat Hanh in 1994 and Soto Zen priest ordination by Richard Baker-roshi in 1986. She is Co-Founder of the Community of Mindful Living, which developed Thich Nhat Hanh's teaching and Vietnamese social work base in the United States. Together with Maxine Hong Kingston, Therese helped start the Veterans' Writing Group. Therese lives on Maui, where she works as a meditation teacher, has assisted the chaplain and also a Soto Zen minister and been Co-director of Ala Kukui/Hana Retreat.
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.
Accommodations You may choose a shared room in the lodge or tent camping on the grounds.
Schedule The retreat begins Thursday evening with a meal at 6pm and ends Sunday after lunch.
Late Arrivals Because many folks will need to work on Thursday, you may arrive until 9pm on Thursday 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 $150 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.
Benefactors For those who are unable to attend the retreat, but wish to practice generosity to those who cannot afford it, you may make a contribution which will be used for this purpose
here.
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 $75-$150 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.