Will Rogers quipped: "Never miss a good chance to shut up." Woody Allen said: "God is silent. Now if only man would shut up." Good advice?
We hear from some spiritual testimonies that silence of various types and varying descriptions was an important part of their paths. Our keynote speaker wrote in Pouring Concrete, A Zen Path to the Kingdom of God, that "silence ends the search."
Participate in discussions and workshops aimed at investigating silence and other aspects of the spiritual search. The 2013 TAT Fall Workshop will be held over the Labor Day weekend, Friday, August 30th through Sunday, September 1st. See the Fall Workshop Details for the session descriptions.
Featuring:
Keynote speaker Bob Harwood – former Zen student and author of A Path to Christ-Consciousness, Non-Conceptual Awareness Practice as a Doorway to the Infinite and Pouring Concrete, A Zen Path to the Kingdom of God
Bob Cergol – former long time student of Richard Rose and author of numerous essays in Beyond Mind, Beyond Death
Veteran rapport facilitator Paul Constant
Yoga instructor Leesa Williams
Meditation Walks, ample One-on-One Discussion Opportunities with teachers and presenters, and Group Meditation Sittings
The registration deadline for the Fall Workshop is Friday, August 23rd.
Weekend Schedule Friday, August 30, 2013
Sketch of the historic
Claymont Society Mansion
5:00 to 7:30 PM - Set-up and arrivals 7:30 to 9:00 PM - The Sound of Silence led by Leesa Williams. An evening session for transitioning from the work-a-day marketplace to a retreat weekend. Leesa will lead exercises and a group discussion that will aid in tuning into silence... 9:00 PM to ? - Free time; informal conversation Saturday, August 31, 2013 7:30 to 8:00 AM - Optional group meditation 8:30 to 10:00 AM - Arrivals, pot luck continental breakfast, and open discussion 10:00 to 10:15 AM - Welcome and introduction of keynote speaker and workshop facilitators 10:15 to 11:00 AM - The role of silence on the journey around Mt. Woo-Woo. Presentation by Bob Harwood. 11:00 to 11:15 AM - Break 11:15 to 11:45 AM - Q&A with Bob Harwood 11:45 AM to 1:15 PM - Pot luck lunch and open discussion 1:15 to 1:30 PM - Splitting into three groups that will rotate through each of the three breakout workshops over Saturday and Sunday 1:30 to 3:00 PM - Breakout Session #1. Groups go to respective workshops. 3:00 to 5:30 PM - Free Time. Optional walking meditation. Optional yoga session with Leesa Williams. 5:30 to 7:00 PM - Pot luck dinner and open discussion 7:00 to 8:30 PM - Breakout Session #2. Groups rotate to new workshops. 8:30 PM to ? - Free time; informal conversation Sunday, September 1, 2013 7:30 to 8:00 AM - Optional group meditation 8:30 to 9:30 AM - Pot luck continental breakfast and open discussion 9:30 to 11:00 AM - Breakout Session #3. Groups rotate to final workshop. 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM - Pot luck lunch and open discussion 1:00 to 3:00 PM - Feedback to participants. Observations and feedback from session leaders and other participants. Monitored by Mike Gegenheimer. 3:00 PM - Closing remarks and adjourn |
Location and Facilities
T he event is being held at the Claymont Society Mansion near Charles Town in the eastern panhandle of West Virginia. The mansion's historical ambience mixes perfectly with 350 private acres of forests and farmland. Sleeping accommodations include a mixture of single and double beds in 12 rooms and 6 shared bathrooms. Claymont provides towels and bed linens for overnight guests (guests make and strip their own beds). During the registration process, we will do our best to accommodate room preferences, but all mansion guests should expect to share sleeping quarters and bathrooms with other participants. On-site camping is available in the lawn area near the mansion.
The Claymont Society is located near 667 Huyett Road, Charles Town, WV 25414 [GPS coordinates: N39.26740, W77.90390]. Claymont is 50 miles/60 minutes from the Dulles International Airport near Washington D.C. Travel directions to Claymont Mansion.
Costs
The Fall Workshop fees per person for TAT members are as follows:
The non-member fees per person are:
Full-time students should contact for information on discounted registration fees.
Use PayPal to pay with these credit cards (PayPal account not necessary). PayPal is "fast, free and secure" and allows payment by credit card or electronic withdrawal from a bank account. Checks (in U.S. dollars, drawn on a U.S. bank) or money orders (domestic only) made payable to the TAT Foundation are also accepted if received by the registration deadline.
Note: 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. |
* The TAT Foundation hosts four public events each year. Registration fees vary depending on the event location. Because we are an all-volunteer organization, please allow up to 5 business days before receiving confirmation of your payment. See our membership overview or email if you have questions about registration fees.
Space is limited, so registration is required. The deadline for registration is Friday, August 23rd. Upon receipt of your registration, a packet containing information on lodging and driving directions will be sent to you. You may cancel your registration on or before Friday, August 23rd and receive a refund, minus a $5 handling fee. Cancellations after August 23rd will not be refunded. Because ADA-compliant facilities are limited in the mansion, persons with a disability should contact before registering.
Meals
Meals are potluck style for Saturday and Sunday continental breakfasts, Saturday and Sunday lunches, and Saturday dinner. As a good rule-of-thumb, we ask that each TAT member bring enough food to feed 8 people (about $10). Meals are included for non-members. Sorry, we cannot reduce fees for those who prefer to bring their own food. TAT will provide coffee and tea.
Lodging
For those who register using the alternative (off-site) lodging option, the following overnight accommodations are located near the Claymont Society Mansion:
What is the TAT Foundation?
A group encouraging people to think rather than believe. A group determined to help people find ways and means to answer their deepest philosophical questions. A gathering of folks who are not afraid to be honest with one another. An island of hope and sanity (or at least the hope for sanity!). Last, but not least, TAT is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit educational organization chartered in 1973.