Red Clay Sangha upcoming events

Interfaith Event - Sacred Friends Explore Hinduism (16 Oct 2026)

Fri, 16 Oct 2026 23:00:00 GMT

Sacred Friends Explore Hinduism

Tuesday evenings from 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m on ZOOM

Sept. 15 – Nov. 3

Dear Sangha Members,

Sacred Friends invite you to join upcoming Fall Interfaith Program, "Sacred Friends Explore Hinduism". With the increasing need for interreligious understanding and fellowship, our Sacred Friends have decided to begin a series of in-depth programs on five of the World’s Major Religions. We begin this Fall 2026 with a study of the most ancient faith, Hinduism! In cooperation with Hindu leaders and followers, we will embark on an eight-week examination of the Hindu faith including its extensive history, unique cosmology, complex theology, and diverse practices. Together, we will gather on Tuesday evenings to listen to a short talk by a Hindu leader and then, spend the remainder of our time discussing these presentations in our small, interfaith circles. We will begin and end each meeting with interfaith prayer and a brief large group sharing. A week prior to each meeting, we will receive a short, five-page reading that will prepare us for the topic of each talk.

We will also be invited to participate in three Guided Hindu Temple Visits. These exclusive visits will provide further context and texture for our learning. Together, we will endeavor to better understand the Hindu faith and our Hindu neighbors.

As in the past, Sacred Friends Explore Hinduism is a free Zoom series and will be held Tuesday evenings from 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. on Sept. 15 – Nov. 3. Friend Circles will be composed of 4-6 persons of different faiths.

Check out their website for more info.

Click Here to Register

For further information, please contact sacredfriends@att.ne

Questions: Please contact Deborah

With gratitude,
Red Clay Sangha

One Day Retreat w/ Gareth Young (17 Oct 2026)

Sat, 17 Oct 2026 13:00:00 GMT

One-Day Retreat with Gareth Young

Saturday, October 17th, 2026, from 9:00 to 5:00

This retreat offers a space for practitioners to stabilize, ground, and find safety in the dharma, and to deepen practice. Gareth will offer teachings from the Chan and Pali traditions to support and sustain attendees. One-day retreats are a wonderful opportunity to deepen practice, and practitioners are encouraged to spend the full day to receive the full benefit of this retreat.

Gareth Young is a co-founder and the guiding teacher of Red Clay Sangha. He has maintained a committed meditation practice for over 25 years in the Chan/Zen and Nikaya traditions, and integrates over 10 years of interfaith engagement into his teaching.

Gareth's teaching authorization is in the Thai Forest lineage of Ajahn Chah, Jack Kornfield and Lisa Ernst.

What to expect: This will be a full day of sitting and walking meditation practice, with a dharma talk mid-morning, a break for lunch midday, and a group discussion/ Q&A in the middle of the afternoon. All are welcome, no previous experience with meditation required. Attending for the full day is recommended, but if you are only able to come for a short period, you are welcome to do so: please just enter and leave quietly, respecting the practice of others.

Location: Red Clay Sangha, 3315 Chamblee-Dunwoody Road, and on Zoom

Food: There will be a break around noon for lunch. Please bring your meal. There is a refrigerator on premise if you wish to store food in it, as well as a kettle and a variety of tea bags if you'd like to make yourself tea.

Schedule: The door will be open by 8:45 for arrival and settling in. At 9:00 Gareth will give a brief introduction and orientation, and we will begin sitting around 9:10. We will likely finish a few minutes before 5:00. There will be a dharma talk mid-morning, a Q&A/ Discussion period mid-afternoon, and the balance of the day (other than the break for lunch) will be alternating periods of approximately 30 minutes of sitting and walking meditation.

Questions or More Information?

Please contact Gareth Young

Interfaith Event - Sacred Friends Explore Hinduism (23 Oct 2026)

Fri, 23 Oct 2026 23:00:00 GMT

Sacred Friends Explore Hinduism

Tuesday evenings from 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m on ZOOM

Sept. 15 – Nov. 3

Dear Sangha Members,

Check out their website for more info.

Click Here to Register

For further information, please contact sacredfriends@att.ne

Questions: Please contact Deborah

With gratitude,
Red Clay Sangha

Movie Night - The Fountain (24 Oct 2026)

Sat, 24 Oct 2026 20:00:00 GMT

Mindful Moments

Movie: The Fountain (2006)

Saturday, October 24, 2026, 4:00pm

In Person at the Sangha

We’re delighted to announce the next Mindful Moments event. This time, we will be watching the film The Fountain. As always, this event is open to the general public, and we warmly encourage you to invite friends and community members to join us. The viewing will take place on Saturday, October 24, 2026, at 4:00 pm. Light snacks and tea will be provided for the benefit of all beings.

About the Film

The Fountain is a visually poetic and emotionally resonant film that weaves together three interconnected stories across time, all centered on love, loss, and the human longing for immortality. Spanning 16th-century Spain, the present-day United States, and a distant, dreamlike future, the film follows a man’s quest to save the woman he loves, even as he struggles to accept the natural cycles of life and death. Through striking imagery, meditative pacing, and a powerful musical score, The Fountain invites viewers to contemplate impermanence, devotion, and the possibility of transformation through letting go. Rather than offering easy answers, the film encourages reflection on how love endures not by conquering death, but by embracing the meaning found within it.

About the Mindful Moments Cultural Event Series

Each month, RCS is delighted to host cultural events that foster meaningful connections among members of our sangha and the wider community. These gatherings take place monthly on a Saturday afternoon and feature a variety of activities, including hiking, art, music, crafts, games, movies, and more. Our aim is to provide a relaxed setting where individuals can share their interests with others, while also building community. All are welcome.

What to Expect

After gathering in the space the movie will be presented, followed by group discussion. Light refreshments will be provided. Familiarity with meditation practices and Buddhist traditions is not required. Bring a friend!

While registration is not required, it helps the organizers immensely for space and snack planning purposes.

Cost There is no cost to attend this event.

Location At Red Clay Sangha's physical space at 3315 Chamblee-Dunwoody Road, Chamblee, GA 30341

Questions or Need More Information?

Please contact Natalie and Clay.

RCS Insight Dialogue Practice Group (26 Oct 2026)

Mon, 26 Oct 2026 23:00:00 GMT

Insight Dialogue is an interpersonal meditation practice that uses human connection and the wisdom teachings of the Buddha in mindfulness meditation with others to bring awareness into the nature, causes and release of suffering.

The most direct way to learn Insight Dialogue and experience its benefits is attending practice sessions. We are all learning together. The guidelines Pause, Relax, Open are intrinsically accepting of what is in the present moment. The conditions of practicing with one another can naturally bring about awareness and interest. Insights arise through direct present moment experience.

The session begins with silent meditation. We then move into relational practice through shared contemplation supported by meditation guidelines. The contemplation serves as a landing for the mind to be in dialogue with meditation partners.

Experience with Insight Dialogue is not necessary. Please email me at katie@katierhodes.net if you are interested, have questions, or want to be on an email list for the RCS Insight Dialogue Practice group. You can also learn more about Insight Dialogue from the ID Community website https://insightdialogue.org/.

To attend the session online: Click here to join. Alternatively go to https://zoom.us/, click the links to enter a meeting, and enter meeting ID 971-373-141 and password 879550.

Katie Rhodes is a member of Red Clay Sangha. She has been a Buddhist practitioner for over 30 years, primarily in the Insight/Vipassana tradition. She has been practicing Insight Dialogue meditation since 2023 and is a member of the Northeast Insight Dialogue Teachers Cohort. She uses mindfulness-based cognitive approaches in her work as a psychotherapist.

Interfaith Event - Sacred Friends Explore Hinduism (30 Oct 2026)

Fri, 30 Oct 2026 23:00:00 GMT

Sacred Friends Explore Hinduism

Tuesday evenings from 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m on ZOOM

Sept. 15 – Nov. 3

Dear Sangha Members,

Check out their website for more info.

Click Here to Register

For further information, please contact sacredfriends@att.ne

Questions: Please contact Deborah

With gratitude,
Red Clay Sangha

Working with Mind: The Fifty-One Mental Factors of Yogacara Buddhism (07 Nov 2026)

Sat, 07 Nov 2026 14:30:00 GMT

First Saturday of the Month, from 9:30 to Noon

In Person and On Zoom

"Mind is the forerunner of all things," says the Dhammapada. "The triple world is only mind," says the Avatamsaka Sutra. "If the mind is pure, the Buddha-land is pure," says the Vimalakirti. The centrality of mind — knowing it, working with it, and (in the language of the sutras) purifying it — runs through Buddhist practice from the earliest teachings forward.

The Yogacara school of Mahayana Buddhism took this centrality of mind as its foundational principle — our world, as we experience it, is a construction of mind — and developed from it a detailed map: fifty-one mental factors that arise, combine, and shape moment-to-moment experience. Some are wholesome, some afflictive, some ethically neutral. Learning to recognize them as they happen, in one's own experience, is a practical, hands-on approach to what the sutras call the work of purifying mind.

Over five sessions, Gareth will provide context for the Yogacara tradition — which shaped much of later East Asian Buddhism, including Chan and Zen — and work through the fifty-one factors, including contemporary additions relevant to twenty-first-century life. For each, we'll look at how it shows up, how it affects mind and body, how it hijacks our attention when it does, and what antidotes and practices help restore equanimity. Reference materials are provided as aids for ongoing practice, and each session includes guided meditation alongside teaching and discussion.

This series is a good fit for practitioners with some meditation experience who want to bring more precision and skill to working with their own minds. No prior study of Yogacara or the Abhidharma is required.

Course Materials and Recordings: Materials provided as reference materials for participants are available for download here:

These documents are in draft, working form and are not for sharing or distribution.

Past talks in the series are available on this YouTube Playlist.

Gareth's teaching authorization is in the Thai Forest lineage of Ajahn Chah, Jack Kornfield and Lisa Ernst. He is a practitioner in the Chan tradition.

What to expect: Each of the 5 sessions will include a lecture by Gareth, a period such as a guided meditation to bring the teachings into life and practice, and a group discussion.

Location: Red Clay Sangha, 3315 Chamblee-Dunwoody Road, and on Zoom

Food: After the session, any who wish to go out for lunch with Gareth can continue the conversation over our food.

Registration: Please register for the class, even if you cannot attend every session. This will help ensure the sufficiency of materials.

Questions or More Information?

Please contact Gareth Young

Mindful Moments Monthly Event - Hike (14 Nov 2026)

Sat, 14 Nov 2026 14:30:00 GMT

HIKING

Saturday, November 14, 2026, from 9:30AM to 1:00pm

Location - TBD

About the Hike

We are pleased to announce the hiking event, taking place on Saturday, Nov 14! We invite everyone on a hike at Chattahoochee River Rec Area, sharp from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. This event provides both visitors and sangha members with an exciting opportunity to meaningfully observe the tranquility found in nature. Seeking peace of mind in the wilderness dates back to the original practice of the Buddha and his disciples, so we hope this easy morning stroll will help participants connect more deeply with themselves and their walking companions.

We will pause for a brief period of meditation, followed by a break for a packed lunch, so please be sure to bring the following items:

A day pack for convenient storage
20 oz of water to maintain hydration
A personal packed lunch, and perhaps a small amount of food to share with others
Closed-toed shoes

The leader of this event, Clay Roper, has requested that all participants:

Begin hydrating the day before our hike to ensure the well-being of everyone involved
Please leave any pets at home for this hike, as downed trees from the recent hurricane may present additional hazards
Disclose any health concerns or limitations that may arise during the hike
Provide emergency contact information (to be completed on-site)

Bring a sandwich and water!

About the Mindful Moments Cultural Event Series

What to Expect

After gathering in the space by 9:45AM, we will start the hike sharp at 10AM. We will pause for a brief period of meditation, followed by a break for a packed lunch. Familiarity with meditation practices and Buddhist traditions is not required. Bring a friend!

While registration is not required, it helps the organizers immensely for planning purposes.

Lunch

Please bring a personal packed lunch, and perhaps a small amount of food to share with others.

Cost

There is no cost to attend this event.

Questions or Need More Information?

Please contact Natalie and Clay.

Board Meeting (15 Nov 2026)

Sun, 15 Nov 2026 18:00:00 GMT

Click here to join via Zoom. Alternatively go to https://zoom.us/, click the links to enter a meeting, and enter meeting ID 971-373-141 and password 879550.

RCS Insight Dialogue Practice Group (16 Nov 2026)

Tue, 17 Nov 2026 00:00:00 GMT

To attend the session online: Click here to join. Alternatively go to https://zoom.us/, click the links to enter a meeting, and enter meeting ID 971-373-141 and password 879550.

This Fleeting Life and the Rhythms of the Breath: A Retreat with Dhammadipa (20 Nov 2026)

Sat, 21 Nov 2026 00:00:00 GMT

Retreat with Dhammadipa

This Fleeting Life and the Rhythms of the Breath

Nov 20, 7-9 PM (Friday evening)

Nov 21, 9AM-5PM retreat (Saturday)

Nov 22 (Dharma talk as part of the service)

Description Sometimes we feel that life is so busy that it makes meditation impossible, our mind full of to do lists, regrets from the past, and plans for the future. Yet we have at our disposal one of the most powerful tools in the world and that is our attention. When focused on the breath, another tool that is at hand at all times, we can work with the movements of the mind to find steadiness and insight. Join us for this commuter retreat which will include periods of sitting meditation, walking meditation, and Dhamma talks by Dhammadīpā.

Teacher Bio Dhammadīpā, the founder of Dassanaya Buddhist Community, has been practicing Buddhism since 1987. She is a Dharma Transmitted Teacher in the Suzuki Roshi lineage of Soto Zen and was previously ordained in the Theravada tradition for 5 years. In addition to English, Dhammadīpā teaches in Spanish, an expression of her Latin heritage. She is an author whose work has appeared in the Buddhist publications “Lion’s Roar” and the “Buddhadharma” magazine. Dhammadīpā is the mother of a lovely adult daughter, and enjoys sewing and watercolor painting.

Location 3315 Chamblee Dunwoody Rd., Chamblee, GA

If you are attending by zoom you will be sent the link after registration.

Schedule

The retreat will begin at 7:00 on Friday evening and run till 9:00 that night. The main portion of the retreat is during the day on Saturday from 9 till 5, during which time Dhammadipa will offer a dhamma talk and opportunities for practice encounters. The retreat will continue in conjunction with the normal service on Sunday morning, and Dhammadipa will continue her dhamma presentations with the talk at 10:30 that morning. All are invited to join for a group lunch at a local restaurant after the service on Sunday.

Lunch If attending in person, please bring a box lunch for yourself. We will provide refrigeration space. There will be enough time to prepare lunch, if you are attending via Zoom and not at the Sangha.

Cost and Dana There is no cost to attend the retreat, but we ask attendees to practice generosity. If you would like to make a donation to Dhammadipa in advance (or at any time), you can do so at Dassanaya's website. You will also be invited to offer additional dana during the retreat.

Questions or Comments

Please contact: Gareth Young

Working with Mind: The Fifty-One Mental Factors of Yogacara Buddhism (05 Dec 2026)

Sat, 05 Dec 2026 14:30:00 GMT

First Saturday of the Month, from 9:30 to Noon

In Person and On Zoom

Course Materials and Recordings: Materials provided as reference materials for participants are available for download here:

These documents are in draft, working form and are not for sharing or distribution.

Past talks in the series are available on this YouTube Playlist.

Gareth's teaching authorization is in the Thai Forest lineage of Ajahn Chah, Jack Kornfield and Lisa Ernst. He is a practitioner in the Chan tradition.

What to expect: Each of the 5 sessions will include a lecture by Gareth, a period such as a guided meditation to bring the teachings into life and practice, and a group discussion.

Location: Red Clay Sangha, 3315 Chamblee-Dunwoody Road, and on Zoom

Food: After the session, any who wish to go out for lunch with Gareth can continue the conversation over our food.

Registration: Please register for the class, even if you cannot attend every session. This will help ensure the sufficiency of materials.

Questions or More Information?

Please contact Gareth Young

Chanting with Gareth Young (12 Dec 2026)

Sat, 12 Dec 2026 19:00:00 GMT

Chanting with Gareth Young

Bi-Monthly on Saturdays, 2:00PM to 5:00PM

In Person

Chanting is an important Buddhist practice used extensively in most Buddhist lineages. It serves not just to aid memory and recall of the suttas/ sutras, but also to strengthen the feeling of sangha and to quiet the thinking mind and help provide access to the unconditioned mind. And chanting is an important part of our practice at Red Clay Sangha.

After a successful and popular study and practice session, a collective decision was made to continue chanting practice on a regular basis. Each session will be different as we draw on different chants, practices, and traditions, and as we take different approaches to chant duration, whether we are standing or walking or sitting, etc. And each session will stand completely on its own without direct correlation to prior or subsequent sessions. So please join us.

Note that these sessions are in person only. The dynamics of chanting and of sharing space together are important and this doesn't translate well to a hybrid or Zoom environment.

Gareth Young is a co-founder and the guiding teacher of Red Clay Sangha. He has maintained a committed meditation practice for over 20 years in the Zen and Vipassana traditions, and integrates over 10 years of interfaith engagement into his teaching.

Gareth's teaching authorization is in the Thai Forest lineage of Ajahn Chah, Jack Kornfield and Lisa Ernst.

Cost There is no cost to attend this retreat. Donations to Red Clay Sangha are gratefully received.

Location At Red Clay Sangha's physical space at 3315 Chamblee-Dunwoody Rd.

Chanting Materials The chanting materials we use will often draw from our liturgy and the chants identified on our resources page but will also include other materials. In all cases the specific chants will be provided on the day (and no preparation or prior knowledge is necessary).

Questions or More Information? Please contactGareth Young by email.

A Day of Silence w/ Gareth Young (19 Dec 2026)

Sat, 19 Dec 2026 14:00:00 GMT

A Day of Silence with Gareth Young

Saturday, December 19th, 2026, from 9:00 to 5:00

Join Gareth for a day of noble silence to take a complete - though brief - vacation from the past, the future, and the present, from our daily stresses, from our lives. This period of silent practice allows for both calming and insight, peace and wisdom to emerge.

Gareth's teaching authorization is in the Thai Forest lineage of Ajahn Chah, Jack Kornfield and Lisa Ernst.

Location: Red Clay Sangha, 3315 Chamblee-Dunwoody Road, and on Zoom

Questions or More Information?

Please contact Gareth Young

RCS Insight Dialogue Practice Group (21 Dec 2026)

Tue, 22 Dec 2026 00:00:00 GMT

To attend the session online: Click here to join. Alternatively go to https://zoom.us/, click the links to enter a meeting, and enter meeting ID 971-373-141 and password 879550.

Movie Night - How to Cook Your Life (26 Dec 2026)

Sat, 26 Dec 2026 21:00:00 GMT

Mindful Moments

Movie: How to Cook Your Life (2007)

Saturday, December 26, 2026, 4:00pm

In Person at the Sangha

We’re delighted to announce the next Mindful Moments event. This time, we will be watching the documentary How to Cook Your Life. As always, this event is open to the general public, and we warmly encourage you to invite friends and community members to join us. The viewing will take place on Saturday, December 26, 2026, at 4:00 pm. Light snacks and tea will be provided for the benefit of all beings.

About the Film

How to Cook Your Life features Zen master Edward Espe Brown, renowned teacher, philosopher, and author of the famous Tassajara cookbooks. Filmed in Germany, the documentary invites viewers to discover how cooking, eating, and daily activities can become profound practices of mindfulness. Under Brown’s guidance, the kitchen becomes a place of care, attention, and compassion—both for oneself and for others. Through his wisdom, humor, and practical instruction, the film illuminates the transformative power of presence in ordinary moments. How to Cook Your Life is an inspiring reminder that mindfulness is not separate from life; it is cultivated in every thoughtful gesture, every prepared meal, and every shared experience.

About the Mindful Moments Cultural Event Series

What to Expect

While registration is not required, it helps the organizers immensely for space and snack planning purposes.

Cost There is no cost to attend this event.

Location At Red Clay Sangha's physical space at 3315 Chamblee-Dunwoody Road, Chamblee, GA 30341

Questions or Need More Information?

Please contact Natalie and Clay.

Don't Wait for Liberation: One Day Retreat with Ben Connelly (16 Jan 2027)

Sat, 16 Jan 2027 14:00:00 GMT

One-Day Retreat with Ben Connelly

Saturday, January 16th, from 9:00 to 5:00

Don't Wait for Liberation

Early Buddhist teachings invite us to practice liberation in every moment, while later teachings invite us to realize that liberation is already here. This retreat is an opportunity to explore these apparently paradoxical teachings with our bodies and our hearts, and to find the energy, the compassion, the clarity, and the ease which they can bring to our lives and our communities. Dive into this day of silent and guided meditation, teaching, movement, and dialogue.Buddhism arose in the sixth century in China rooted in the Mahayana Flower Garland (Huayan) Sutra. Huayan is relational, practical, and positive. Its emphasis on interdependence, celebration of the sensual world, and diversity of people and practices provides inspiration for what Thich Nhat Hanh called “engaged Buddhism”.

Ben Connelly is a Soto Zen teacher and Dharma heir in the Katagiri lineage. He also teaches mindfulness in a wide variety of secular contexts including police training and addiction recovery groups. He works with multifaith groups focused on intersectional liberation, racial justice, and climate justice. Ben is based at Minnesota Zen Meditation Center, travels to teach across the United States, has written for Tricycle and Lion’s Roar magazines, and is author of Inside the Grass Hut, Inside Vasubandhu's Yogacara, Mindfulness and Intimacy, Vasubandhu's "Three Natures", and Inside the Flower Garland Sutra: Huayan Buddhism and the Modern World.

What to expect: This retreat will include silent and guided meditation, teachings, dialogue, and mindful movement practices. All are welcome, no previous experience with meditation required.

Location: Red Clay Sangha, 3315 Chamblee-Dunwoody Road, and on Zoom

Schedule: The door will be open by 8:45 for arrival and settling in. The retreat will begin at 9:00 and finish at 5:00. In addition to the break for lunch, there will be a couple of short breaks during the day.

Questions or More Information?

Please contact Gareth Young

Board Meeting (17 Jan 2027)

Sun, 17 Jan 2027 18:00:00 GMT

Click here to join via Zoom. Alternatively go to https://zoom.us/, click the links to enter a meeting, and enter meeting ID 971-373-141 and password 879550.

A Day of Silence w/ Gareth Young (20 Feb 2027)

Sat, 20 Feb 2027 14:00:00 GMT

A Day of Silence with Gareth Young

Saturday, February 20th, 2027, from 9:00 to 5:00

Gareth's teaching authorization is in the Thai Forest lineage of Ajahn Chah, Jack Kornfield and Lisa Ernst.

What to expect: This will be a full day of sitting and walking meditation practice, conducted in noble silence. Sitting and walking periods alternate and are approximately 30 minutes in length. There will be a break of approximately one hour around midday for lunch. All are welcome, no previous experience with meditation required. Attending for the full day is recommended, but if you are only able to come for a short period, you are welcome to do so: please just enter and leave quietly, respecting the practice of others.

Location: Red Clay Sangha, 3315 Chamblee-Dunwoody Road, and on Zoom

Questions or More Information?

Please contact Gareth Young

Five-Day Silent Retreat: Chan Practice and the Pali Teachings (17 Mar 2027)

Wed, 17 Mar 2027 22:00:00 GMT

A Five-Day Silent Retreat: Chan Practice and the Pali Teachings

with Gareth Young

Wednesday March 17 - Sunday March 21, 2027

Koosa Lodge

For five days at Koosa Mountain Lodge, we set aside the demands of daily life and give ourselves fully to practice — sitting, walking, chanting, and silence — together with fellow practitioners.

Silent retreat is different from a single day of sitting. A day can offer a taste of stillness; five days allow that stillness to settle and deepen. As the schedule holds you and the mind's usual busyness has time to quiet, habitual patterns become visible — and workable. Concentration gathers. Insight arises less as an idea and more as something felt directly in the body. What returns home with you is not just rest, but a subtler and steadier relationship with your own mind.

Teaching draws from the Pali canon and the Chan tradition, with methods for building concentration, cultivating loving-kindness (metta), and inquiring into the nature of experience. The daily form includes multiple periods of sitting and walking meditation, chanting services, dharma talks, and individual meetings with the teacher. Meals are vegetarian; accommodation is comfortable; the forested lakeside setting supports the practice without becoming its focus.

This retreat is open to both experienced practitioners and those coming to a multi-day silent retreat for the first time. Some prior meditation practice is helpful but not required — clear guidance is offered throughout, and the container of silence itself does much of the teaching. If you've been wanting to give your practice the time and space it deserves, this is the place to do it.

Retreat Teacher:

Gareth Young, Red Clay Sangha's Guiding Teacher, leads the retreat. Gareth holds teaching authority in the Vipassana tradition and has trained extensively in Chan and Zen; his teaching integrates the three, with the Pali suttas and Chan sources as its primary ground.

Location , Koosa Mountain Lodge, Dahlonega, less than 2 hours north of Atlanta. Visit the Koosa Mountain Lodge Website

Schedule and Arrival: Registration will be from 4:00 to 6:00 on Wed. March, 2027. Please plan to arrive during this window. Instruction on work duties and other retreat matters will be provided after dinner, and it is enormously helpful if all are present for this segment of the day. The retreat begins with dinner at 6:00 pm on Wednesday evening and finishes up by noon on Sunday the 21st. A full schedule will be available prior to the retreat's start date.

Accommodation: Rooms are comfortable and spacious with adequate bathroom facilities. The rooms are generally shared, but at far less than their maximum capacity. We do our best to accommodate the needs and wishes of attendees but are generally unable to provide private sleeping.

Meals: Vegetarian meals will be provided. Vegan, dairy and gluten-free options will be available for every meal; snacks will also be available. Please mention any dietary restrictions on the registration form.

Cost: We work hard to keep our fees to a minimum but cannot avoid significant out-of-pocket costs for the space and food for a residential retreat. The per-person attendance fee to cover these is $390. (Please note the section on "Financial Assistance" below.)

Payment and Refund and Cancellation Policies

Payment: Payment in full is preferred at time of registration. However, it is permissible to pay half at time of registration and the rest thirty days prior to the start of the retreat. Should RCS need to cancel a retreat for any reason (unlikely), all payments would be refunded in full.

Refund policy for cancellations: If you register and cancel 30 days or more prior to the retreat start date, you will receive a full refund. Cancellation up to 15 days prior to the start date will receive a 50% refund. No refunds are available after that date.

If you have registered for the retreat and need to cancel, please contact the retreat administrator asap.

Financial Assistance: One of Red Clay's goals is for everyone to be able to attend regardless of ability to pay. To achieve this goal, a scholarship fund has been accumulated from donations from previous retreats and is available to help pay for those who need financial assistance. If financial assistance would make it easier for you to attend this retreat, you are encouraged contact the retreat administrator who will be happy to process your request.

Testimonials From Past Attendees

"The grounding practices Gareth introduced were so helpful! I feel more solid in
my practice than I ever have before and more contented outside my sitting practice."

-KD (attended in 2026)

"The 5-day retreat offered me a chance to disconnect from daily distractions and find inner peace. I experienced reduced stress, improved concentration, and a deeper understanding of myself. The structured environment also encouraged self-discipline and emotional balance. Plus, being in a community of like-minded individuals was supportive and inspiring. This type of immersion is very difficult to experience in a daylong retreat."
- Amit (attended retreat in 2024)

"You might not expect that sitting, walking, and eating in complete silence alongside others for nearly five days could foster such a strong sense of community, but I discovered a renewed connection with everyone around me once the noise of everyday life was left behind.

The clear mountain air and serene setting created the perfect environment to unplug from the constant demands of modern technology. I found it surprisingly easy to set aside my phone and refrain from using it for nearly a week.

I am happy for future opportunities to participate in more retreats and hope to gain further insights from peacefully coexisting within such an accommodating community."
- Clay (attended retreat in 2024)

Questions or More Information? Please contact Kevin Jones.

Annual Members Meeting (28 Mar 2027)

Sun, 28 Mar 2027 16:00:00 GMT

Annual Members Meeting

and Potluck

March 28th, 2027

Come join us for Red Clay's annual members meeting.

At this meeting, the state of the sangha will be discussed, and members will elect a new board of directors.

A potluck lunch will also be served. If you are able, please bring a dish to share. If you aren't able (or just forgot and left it on the counter), don't worry there's usually enough to go around.

Hope to see you there.

One Day Retreat w/ Gareth Young (17 Apr 2027)

Sat, 17 Apr 2027 13:00:00 GMT

One-Day Retreat with Gareth Young

Saturday, April 17th, 2027, from 9:00 to 5:00

Gareth's teaching authorization is in the Thai Forest lineage of Ajahn Chah, Jack Kornfield and Lisa Ernst.

What to expect: This will be a full day of sitting and walking meditation practice, with a break for lunch midday. Typically Gareth will begin the day with a guided meditation to ground and orient practice for the day, followed by a discussion; there may also be a short talk and/or practice-oriented Q&A in the middle of the afternoon. Sitting and walking periods alternate, each generally being approximately 30 minutes. All are welcome, no previous experience with meditation required. Attending for the full day is recommended, but if you are only able to come for a short period, you are welcome to do so: please just enter and leave quietly, respecting the practice of others.

Location: Red Clay Sangha, 3315 Chamblee-Dunwoody Road, and on Zoom

Questions or More Information?

Please contact Gareth Young

One Day Retreat w/ Katie Rhodes (15 May 2027)

Sat, 15 May 2027 13:00:00 GMT

One-Day Retreat with Katie Rhodes

Saturday, May 15th, 2027, from 9:00 to 4:00

Through a natural unfolding of mindfulness, we can rest in presence and attune to the rhythms of body, heart, and mind. This silent retreat offers a refuge for practice and a space to remember what truly sustains us. Together, supported by sangha, and rooted in simplicity, this retreat invites us to meet our experience with devotion, curiosity, and kindness.

Registration is requested for this retreat.

Katie Rhodes is a member and teacher with Red Clay Sangha. She has been a Buddhist practitioner for over 30 years, primarily in the Insight/Vipassana tradition. She has been practicing Insight Dialogue meditation since 2023 and is a member of the Northeast Insight Dialogue Teachers Cohort.

She uses mindfulness-based cognitive approaches in her work as a psychotherapist. She has a doctorate in clinical social work.

What to expect: This is a silent retreat. There will be a full day of sitting and walking meditation practice, with a guided meditation, a brief dharma talk, group discussion and exploration.

All are welcome, no previous experience with meditation required.

Please Register. Attending for the full day is recommended, but if you are only able to come for a short period, you are welcome to do so: Please let me know your plan. Enter and leave quietly, respecting the practice of others.

Location: Red Clay Sangha, 3315 Chamblee-Dunwoody Road, and on Zoom

Schedule: The door will be open by 8:45 for arrival and settling in. At 9:00 Katie will give a brief introduction and orientation, and we will begin sitting around 9:10.

Questions or More Information?

Please contact Katie Rhodes.

Board Meeting (16 May 2027)

Sun, 16 May 2027 17:00:00 GMT

Click here to join via Zoom. Alternatively go to https://zoom.us/, click the links to enter a meeting, and enter meeting ID 971-373-141 and password 879550.

A Day of Silence w/ Gareth Young (19 Jun 2027)

Sat, 19 Jun 2027 13:00:00 GMT

A Day of Silence with Gareth Young

Saturday, June 19th, 2027, from 9:00 to 5:00

Gareth's teaching authorization is in the Thai Forest lineage of Ajahn Chah, Jack Kornfield and Lisa Ernst.

Location: Red Clay Sangha, 3315 Chamblee-Dunwoody Road, and on Zoom

Questions or More Information?

Please contact Gareth Young

One Day Retreat w/ Gareth Young (17 Jul 2027)

Sat, 17 Jul 2027 13:00:00 GMT

One-Day Retreat with Gareth Young

Saturday, July 17th, 2027, from 9:00 to 5:00

Gareth's teaching authorization is in the Thai Forest lineage of Ajahn Chah, Jack Kornfield and Lisa Ernst.

Location: Red Clay Sangha, 3315 Chamblee-Dunwoody Road, and on Zoom

Questions or More Information?

Please contact Gareth Young

Board Meeting (18 Jul 2027)

Sun, 18 Jul 2027 17:00:00 GMT

Click here to join via Zoom. Alternatively go to https://zoom.us/, click the links to enter a meeting, and enter meeting ID 971-373-141 and password 879550.

One Day Retreat w/ Katie Rhodes (21 Aug 2027)

Sat, 21 Aug 2027 13:00:00 GMT

One-Day Retreat with Katie Rhodes

Saturday, August 21st, 2027, from 9:00 to 4:00

Registration is requested for this retreat.

She uses mindfulness-based cognitive approaches in her work as a psychotherapist. She has a doctorate in clinical social work.

What to expect: This is a silent retreat. There will be a full day of sitting and walking meditation practice, with a guided meditation, a brief dharma talk, group discussion and exploration.

All are welcome, no previous experience with meditation required.

Location: Red Clay Sangha, 3315 Chamblee-Dunwoody Road, and on Zoom

Schedule: The door will be open by 8:45 for arrival and settling in. At 9:00 Katie will give a brief introduction and orientation, and we will begin sitting around 9:10.

Questions or More Information?

Please contact Katie Rhodes.

Five-Day Silent Retreat: Chan Practice and the Pali Teachings (15 Sep 2027)

Wed, 15 Sep 2027 22:00:00 GMT

A Five-Day Silent Retreat: Chan Practice and the Pali Teachings

with Gareth Young

Wednesday September 15 - Sunday September 19, 2027

Koosa Mountain Lodge, GA

For five days at Koosa Mountain Lodge, we set aside the demands of daily life and give ourselves fully to practice — sitting, walking, chanting, and silence — together with fellow practitioners.

Retreat Teacher:

Location , Koosa Mountain Lodge, Dahlonega, less than 2 hours north of Atlanta. Visit the Koosa Mountain Lodge Website

Schedule and Arrival: Registration will be from 4:00 to 6:00 on Wed. September 15th, 2027. Please plan to arrive during this window. Instruction on work duties and other retreat matters will be provided after dinner, and it is enormously helpful if all are present for this segment of the day. The retreat begins with dinner at 6:00 pm on Wednesday evening and finishes up by noon on Sunday the 19th. A full schedule will be available prior to the retreat's start date.

Cost: We work hard to keep our fees to a minimum but cannot avoid significant out-of-pocket costs for the space and food for a residential retreat. The per-person attendance fee to cover these is $430. (Please note the section on "Financial Assistance" below.)

Payment and Refund and Cancellation Policies

If you have registered for the retreat and need to cancel, please contact the retreat administrator asap.

Testimonials From Past Attendees

"The grounding practices Gareth introduced were so helpful! I feel more solid in
my practice than I ever have before and more contented outside my sitting practice."

-KD (attended in 2026)

Questions or More Information? Please contact Kevin Jones.

Board Meeting (19 Sep 2027)

Sun, 19 Sep 2027 17:00:00 GMT

Click here to join via Zoom. Alternatively go to https://zoom.us/, click the links to enter a meeting, and enter meeting ID 971-373-141 and password 879550.

A Day of Silence w/ Gareth Young (16 Oct 2027)

Sat, 16 Oct 2027 13:00:00 GMT

A Day of Silence with Gareth Young

Saturday, October 16th, 2027, from 9:00 to 5:00

Gareth's teaching authorization is in the Thai Forest lineage of Ajahn Chah, Jack Kornfield and Lisa Ernst.

Location: Red Clay Sangha, 3315 Chamblee-Dunwoody Road, and on Zoom

Questions or More Information?

Please contact Gareth Young

One Day Retreat w/ Gareth Young (20 Nov 2027)

Sat, 20 Nov 2027 14:00:00 GMT

One-Day Retreat with Gareth Young

Saturday, November 20th, 2027, from 9:00 to 5:00

Gareth's teaching authorization is in the Thai Forest lineage of Ajahn Chah, Jack Kornfield and Lisa Ernst.

Location: Red Clay Sangha, 3315 Chamblee-Dunwoody Road, and on Zoom

Questions or More Information?

Please contact Gareth Young

Board Meeting (21 Nov 2027)

Sun, 21 Nov 2027 18:00:00 GMT

Click here to join via Zoom. Alternatively go to https://zoom.us/, click the links to enter a meeting, and enter meeting ID 971-373-141 and password 879550.

A Day of Silence w/ Gareth Young (18 Dec 2027)

Sat, 18 Dec 2027 14:00:00 GMT

A Day of Silence with Gareth Young

Saturday, December 18th, 2027, from 9:00 to 5:00

Gareth's teaching authorization is in the Thai Forest lineage of Ajahn Chah, Jack Kornfield and Lisa Ernst.

Location: Red Clay Sangha, 3315 Chamblee-Dunwoody Road, and on Zoom

Questions or More Information?

Please contact Gareth Young

Board Meeting (16 Jan 2028)

Sun, 16 Jan 2028 05:00:00 GMT

Click here to join via Zoom. Alternatively go to https://zoom.us/, click the links to enter a meeting, and enter meeting ID 971-373-141 and password 879550.