In the rush of daily life, we become caught up and lose sight of the peace, joy, compassion and wisdom that is right there every moments our lives. This five-day silent meditation retreat offers you the space to step away from the noise, reconnect with yourself, and cultivate the deep peace that only extended practice can bring. It's an opportunity to let go of the past, to let go of the future, and to rest, not abiding, on the brink of the present moment. It provides a framework for allowing joy to emerge and for living into it in our everyday lives.
While a single day of retreat can offer a taste of stillness, a multi-day retreat allows that stillness to settle in—to move beyond surface calm into a place of profound insight and renewal. With each passing day, as distractions fade, clarity emerges. You’ll notice how stress arises and dissipates, how habitual patterns loosen their grip, and how joy and ease naturally take their place.
Guided by Gareth, we will work with the mindfulness and meditation practices from the Pali canon, particularly Mindfulness of Breathing (Anapanasati Sutta) and The Four Foundations of Mindfulness (Satipatthana Sutta), and with practices from the Chan Buddhist tradition, particularly Hongzhi, Huineng's Platform Sutra, and the Diamond Sutra, to cultivate stillness of mind and peaceful engagement in the fullness of our lives.
Nestled within the lush forests of Camp Ocoee, this retreat offers a tranquil escape where nature itself supports your practice. Mornings begin with the gentle hush of the trees, days unfold by the serene lake, and each session takes place in the warm, inviting lodge designed for deep reflection. With comfortable accommodation, nourishing vegetarian meals, and a community of fellow practitioners, you’ll find the perfect environment to settle into stillness. Whether you're experienced in meditation or new to multi-day retreats, this extended period of silence will help you cultivate a steadier mind and a more open heart—both on and off the cushion.
If you are longing for a true reset, the kind that lingers long after you return home, this retreat is for you.
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.
Location YMCA Camp Ocoee, Ocoee, TN (about 2 hours north of Atlanta). (We miss Sautee Hereford, home of the aquatic bovine in the picture, but are becoming familiar with and very fond of our new space.) For more information, visit the Camp Ocoee Website
Schedule and Arrival Registration will be from 4:00 to 6:00 on Wed. March 19th, 2025. 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 the Wednesday evening and finishes up at lunchtime on Sunday the 23rd. 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. Camping is an option.
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.
About the Retreat Director Beth Herzig is a dedicated retreat leader and long-time meditation practitioner who has been organizing retreats since 2019. A passionate advocate for the power of stepping away from daily routines, Beth believes that retreats provide a unique opportunity for growth, healing, and connection. She has been an active board member and volunteer with Flowering Lotus Meditation since 2017 and completed extensive meditation training, including the 2022 Dharma Teacher Training with One Dharma. Beth’s warmth, experience, and commitment to making meditation accessible create a welcoming and transformative retreat experience for all who attend. Beth is currently the Executive Director at Flowering Lotus Meditation.
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. Retreat cost to be determined. (But note the section on "Financial Assistance" below.)
COVID: No specific protocols or requirements at this time, but we may follow up if circumstances change
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 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.