Weekend Retreat in Asheville, North Carolina

Awaken to Your Present - A perfect retreat for beginners.

Learn how to coax your body into a comfortable seated position that you can enjoy for several minutes at a time. Also, learn how to observe what your mind focuses on. Then, learn how to fully enjoy the present moment that is YOU and has always been here waiting for you to embrace.

This is an informal retreat, meaning you will be encouraged to practice in the ways that work best for you. For instance, if you prefer to lie down while you meditate or sit in a chair, you will be welcome to do so. Also, this will be a wonderful opportunity for you to be guided into a period of silence, possibly for the first time. During this silence you will enjoy further instruction and have the opportunity to ask questions. However, interaction with your other retreaters during the silence will be avoided. Please see the schedule below to find out how long the silence will last. Since the silence observed will not be long, this is a perfect retreat for beginners.

Early May. Date to be announced. $95 for meals and space. Teachings by donation. Overnight accommodations need to be arranged on your own. EMAIL for more information.

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About the instructor Sarah Wood Vallely has over ten years experience teaching meditation to adults and children. Her training includes Insight Meditation (Buddhist), Huna (Ancient Hawaiian), and four years of regression therapy training.  Sarah conducts a global program training adults how to teach meditation to children and certifies child meditation facilitators around the world. Sarah is also the author of Sensational Meditation for Children (nonfiction) and The Magic Gum Tree (fiction for children about meditation).  In addition to teaching meditation, Sarah is a freelance science and technology writer.

Retreat Schedule

Friday
7:00 pm         Instruction
8:00 pm        15 minutes guided meditation
8:15 pm         Discussion
9:00 pm         Return to home or hotel accommodations

Saturday
8:00 am          15 minutes of semi-guided meditation
8:15 am          Discussion
8:30 am          Breakfast
9:15 am          Instruction and guided meditation
11:00 am       Guided walking meditation (in the Labyrinth)
12:00 pm       Lunch
1:00 pm         Instruction
1:30 pm         30 minute sitting meditation
2:00 pm         Walking meditation
2:30 pm         Discussion
3:30 pm         Go into silence. 30 minute sitting meditation.
4:00 pm         Walking meditation/optional art project
4:30 pm         Light meal
5:30 pm         Question and answer session
6:00 pm         45 minute sitting meditation
7:00 pm         Return home or to hotel accommodations

Sunday
8:00 am          15 minute sitting meditation (still observe silence)
8:15 am          Instruction
8:30 am          Breakfast
9:30 am          Instruction for last walking meditation and art project.
10:00 am       End of silence. Discussion.
10:30 am       Walking meditation
11:00 am       Art Project
12:00 pm       Lunch
1:00 pm         Closing circle
3:00 pm         End of retreat

*Teacher will be available during the retreat to answer questions, even when silence is observed.