Coming Home
Residential Retreat with Gareth Young
Wed., March 15, 2023 - Sunday March 19, 2023
YMCA Camp Ocoee, Ocoee, TN
To paraphrase an old Zen saying, the practice of Buddhism is about discovering "Who you were before your mother was born". It's about spending time with ourselves, studying ourselves to the extent we forget who we thought we were and finding who we really are. It's about coming home to who we really are.
This is the most wonderful journey of our lives: it can be difficult, but the rewards are boundless: joy, compassion, kindness, and a life of equanimity, not troubled by vicissitudes of life, while at the same time caring deeply and filing our heart and actions with love and care for all beings and for our world itself.
On this retreat we will be working on the simple heart of this practice, interspersing periods of walking and seated meditation in a container of silence. Over the 5 days of the retreat we will have the opportunity to leave the troubles of our everyday lives behind and settle into allowing our true nature to emerge. Gareth will offer daily instruction, a daily dharma talk, and other guidance, instruction and support to help attendees navigate this journey.
Gareth has received full teaching authorization in the Thai Forest lineage of Ajahn Chah, Jack Kornfield and Lisa Ernst.
Location YMCA Camp Ocoee, Ocoee, TN (about 2 hours north of Atlanta). For more information, visit the Camp Ocoee Website
Schedule Registration will be from 4:00 to 6:00 on Wed. March 15th, 2023. The retreat begins with dinner at 6:00 pm on the Wednesday evening and finishes up at lunchtime on Sunday the 19th. A full schedule will be available prior to the retreat's start date.
Accommodation 1-2 people per room max, pending an on-site visit in February to better understand room availability. There is a chance that all participants will get their own room but we are not sure yet; TBD closer to the retreat. The main lodge is fully handicap-accessible.
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.
COVID Vaccinations and COVID Tests: We require proof of vaccination provided prior to attendance.
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.
Financial Assistance One of Red Clay's goals is for every one 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 you need financial assistance for this retreat, please contact the retreat administrator.
Dana is the practice of generosity and helps remind us of the fundamental connected nature of life. By supporting our teachers and Sangha, we deepen our own experience on the path of practice while helping them to support others. (Note that this is an entirely voluntary opportunity: dana is NOT a requirement.)
In the spirit of this tradition, retreatants will have an opportunity to make a voluntary contribution, called dana, at the end of the retreat. More information about this practice and appropriate levels will be provided on the retreat.