April 2024 Gathering: Look Closer
April 2024 Gathering: Look Closer
A TAT Foundation Retreat: Friday through Sunday, April 12-14, 2024
To see a World in a Grain of Sand
And a Heaven in a Wild Flower
Hold Infinity in the palm of your hand
And Eternity in an hour
~ William Blake, “Auguries of Innocence”
When “Look Closer” was mentioned as a theme for the April TAT meeting, one of our presenters said, “I think that would be an excellent theme! It’s another way to possibly look past the bonds of belief.” Join a group of seekers and friends for a weekend of exploration. For, as Ramana Maharshi said, “All are seeing God always, but they don’t know it.”
Featuring sessions with:
Shawn Pethel – A physics PhD with a passion for truth, Shawn was particularly fortunate to have worked with Daniel Ingram, whose advice gave him a final push into enlightenment.
Luke Roberts – Luke has consciously been seeking for 27 years, in which time he has engaged with many teachers, teachings, practices, and communities. He was first exposed to Richard Rose’s teachings in 2000, and found a spiritual home in TAT in 2007.
Doug White – Doug was an early member of the Self Knowledge Symposium and later the Self Inquiry Group and Triangle Inquiry Group in Raleigh, NC. His search focused primarily on using methods which could be applied repeatedly all day long whether at work, at play, or at home to cut through beliefs on what is actually happening here and at this very moment. About five years ago during a particularly stressful time while preparing for a possibly life threatening surgery, all questions he had were burned away and continue to burn away in the light of what is beyond anything detectable, and yet is utterly here and true. These days, Doug notes, “I don’t understand it and that is one of the wonderful things about it. Somehow, I continue to feel more and more the pull of living in service to that which utterly, utterly is, and that which is utterly, utterly beyond, but is absolutely knowable.”
John Troy is the author of Wisdom’s Soft Whisper and former co-host of the radio show “Conversations with Avant Garde Sages.” He’s been described as “a legend” and “the folk wizard of North Carolina.”
And more to be announced….
Additionally, there will be Group Inquiry sessions, Rapport, and Meditation Sittings. Note that the April meeting is also TAT’s annual business meeting, so if you’re a TAT member please plan on attending this important event on Friday evening.
The registration deadline for TAT’s April Spiritual Retreat Weekend is Wednesday, April 10th.
Weekend Schedule
Friday, April 12, 2024
- 5:00 to 7:30 PM Set-up and arrivals
- 7:30 to 9:00 TAT Foundation members-only business meeting: an important once-a-year event for all TAT members to attend.
- 9:00 → Free time; informal discussion
Saturday, April 13, 2024
- 7:30 to 8:00 AM Optional Group Meditation
- 8:00 to 8:15 Break
- 8:15 to 9:15 Potluck continental breakfast and open discussion
- 9:15 to 9:35 Welcome
- 9:30 to 10:30 Session with Shawn Pethel
- 10:30 to 10:45 Break
- 10:45 to 12:00 PM Session with Luke Roberts
- 12:00 to 12:30 PM Break
- 1:00 to 1:30 Potluck Lunch
- 1:30 to 2:45 Session with Doug White – an outside walking meditation fosucsed on looking closely and questioning what is actually going on.
- Followed by Breakout Groups
- 2:45 to 5:45 Open Space, Open Group Inquiry
- 6:00 to 7:15 Potluck Dinner
- 7:15 to 9:30 Open Space, Open Group Inquiry
Sunday, April 14, 2024
- 7:30 to 8:00 AM Optional Group Meditation
- 8:00 to 8:30 Break / breakfast setup
- 8:30 to 9:00 Breakfast
- 9:00 to 9:30 Clean up
- 9:30 to 10:15 Rapport sitting led by Paul Constant
- 10:15 to 11:00 Maintaining Intention, holding Hara, and the Unmanifested Mind – a session with Willa Holmes
- 11:00 to 11:15 Break
- 11:15 to 12:15 PM Session with John Troy
- 12:15 to 12:30 Weekend wrap-up
- 12:30 to 1:00 Break / lunch setup
- 1:00 to 1:30 Lunch
- 1:30 to 2:00 Clean up
- 2:00 → Walk/talk/explore
Location, Facilities, and Lodging
The event is being held at the new TAT Center near Hurdle Mills, North Carolina, USA. The 5,500 square foot Center is situated on a beautiful 15-acre site. It is only 50 minutes from Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU).
We ask that attendees respect the health of other attendees. If you think you’ve got something contagious, whether that be a cold, flu, or whatever, please use your common sense, think of others, and stay home. Refunds will be issued on request. Masks will be available at the TAT Center if needed.
There are a few (less than 15) on-site beds available. Sleeping accommodations include new, comfortable twin-size beds, linens, pillows, and blankets in bedrooms shared with 1 or 2 people. All bathrooms are shared and towels are provided. The capacity of the water system is suitable for the meeting and as there are three showers available during the weekend, we will schedule time slots for those at the TAT Center as you arrive.
If you are interested in on-site lodging, please select “lodging” when registering in addition to the retreat fee. Please understand there are a limited number of beds available on site. Contact us directly if there are no lodging spots available when you register and you would like one if possible, as there are occasionally spots that become available.
Costs
The fees per person for TAT members are as follows:
$90 for members who arrange alternative lodging; this includes meeting registration and on-site camping if desired. Camping is informal—no hook-ups or restrooms.
The non-member fees per person are:
$130 for non-members who arrange alternative lodging; this includes meeting registration and on-site camping if desired. Camping is informal—no hook-ups or restrooms.
Full-time students should contact TAT Foundation events for information on discounted registration fees.
If cost is a serious issue that will make or break your attendance, please let us know. We do not want someone to refrain from attending for reasons of cost.
Event registration closes on Wednesday April 10, 2024. To Register:
To register for the event, please click the button below! This will take you to our membership platform where you can register for the event. If you have any trouble registering, please contact us directly so we can help!
If you would like to become a member prior to registering for the event, please visit our membership page where you can learn more and join as a member.
The deadline for registration is Wednesday, April 10th. Upon receipt of your registration, you will receive a confirmation message with additional information. You may cancel your registration on or before April 10th and receive a refund minus processing fees. Cancellations after April 10th will not be refunded. Because ADA-compliant facilities are limited, persons with a disability should contact TAT Foundation events before registering.
Meals
Meals are potluck style for Saturday and Sunday continental breakfasts, Saturday and Sunday lunches, and Saturday dinner. If you are already a TAT member, please help our meal planning team by visiting our potluck contributions page at PerfectPotluck. We ask that each TAT member bring 2 items, totaling about $20. A good rule of thumb is to bring enough food to serve 7 people with each item.
All meals are included for non-members, but non-members are also welcome to bring potluck contributions by using PerfectPotluck. Sorry, we cannot reduce fees for those who prefer to bring their own food. TAT will provide coffee and tea.
Off-Site Lodging
The following overnight accommodations are a 20-to-30 minute drive from the TAT Center:
- Americas Best Value Inn Roxboro, 1006 N Madison Blvd, Roxboro, NC 27573 (336) 599-9276
- Budget Inn Roxboro, 1033 N Madison Blvd, Roxboro, NC 27573 (336) 599-3151
- Hampton Inn Roxboro, 920 Durham Road Roxboro, NC 27573 (336) 599-8800
- Holiday Inn Express Hillsborough, 202 Cardinal Drive , Hillsborough, North Carolina 27278 (919) 644-7997
- Microtel Inn & Suites by Wyndham Hillsborough, 120 Old Dogwood Street Hillsborough, North Carolina 27278 (919) 245-3102
- Quality Inn Roxboro, 906 Durham Rd, Roxboro, NC 27573 (336) 599-3800
You may also try searching Airbnb or VRBO for accommodations in the Roxboro, Hillsborough, or Hurdle Mills areas.