Our true umbilical cord is toward the Absolute, beyond the womb-matrix of the Unmanifested Mind. The projection
that animates the whole picture of creation, as well as every cell in our bodies, we will call Light. This Light begins beyond the Unmanifested Mind, [which]
acts as a sort of prism that separates the differentiated rays from the undifferentiated source.
~ Richard Rose
In spiritual circles, it is often said there are many paths but only one Truth. As seekers, we search for Truth according to that which calls out to us—some follow our heart, others follow our mind and intellect, and still others follow the energy- and feeling-sense in our body. To use the words of Richard Rose, we are like unique prisms, refracting the Light and peering back into that Light in 7 billion different ways on planet earth.
Likewise, spiritual teachers provide guidance and help according to their own strengths and resonance. Some teach from the perspective of Love, others teach from a scientific viewpoint, and still others use direct approaches to root out the source of all human suffering.
Our weekend brings together three very different approaches in the search for Truth. Using small-group sessions, we hope to create an atmosphere in which our heart and mind might open wide to a simple answer behind our most profound question. We aim to foster an environment where bonds of friendship will be formed, and renewed.
The weekend begins with a standalone session on Friday evening for those who can arrive early. On Saturday, participants split into small groups for two interactive workshops (see Fall Workshop details), coming back together for other activities. Participants again split into groups for a third workshop on Sunday morning.
Meet our presenters:
Gary Weber – Gary has a Ph.D. in physical sciences and worked in the military, national labs, industry, and academia in R&D and management. Simultaneously, after over 20,000 hours of self-inquiry, Zen, and yoga, he experienced the falling away of the "I" and the loss of self-referential thoughts, desires, and fears. He has authored three books, over 100 videos, a blog, interviews, podcasts, and presentations on nonduality, meditation, yoga, and neuroscience at conferences, gatherings, and universities around the world. He has been in cognitive neuroscience and meditation studies at Baumann Institute, IONS, CSNSC, Yale, and Penn State. For a taste of Gary's writings and presentations, visit Awakening Beyond Thought.
Jenny Clarke – In May of 2012, after decades of spiritual study and self-inquiry, Jenny's identification as a separate, individual self fell away. A spaciousness, stillness, simplicity, clarity, and peace were left in its place. Life now flows effortlessly and harmoniously with a beauty and perfection that was never seen before. Currently, Jenny helps facilitate weekly meetings of the Triangle Inquiry Group in Raleigh, NC; co-facilitates monthly Satsangs in Raleigh, NC; and co-facilitates a weekly "Conversations on Awakening" group at the Unity Church of the Triangle.
Norio Kushi - Norio is a fellow human being born in New York City to Japanese parents. At age five, while his mother was breastfeeding his younger brother, she said to Norio, "Always trust your feelings, your feelings will guide you through your life." Living from this way of paying attention to one's feelings, eventually revealed that the world in which we're born from, is continually being created through our current programmed way of thinking. Norio currently drives a truck throughout North America.
Additionally, during the weekend there will be a Silent Rapport Sitting and Group Meditation Sessions.
The registration deadline for the Fall Workshop is Sunday, August 13th.
Weekend Schedule Friday, August 18, 2017 5:00 to 7:30 PM - Set-up and arrivals 7:30 to 9:00 PM - Welcome and evening interactive session. Our Friday evening session will ease everyone into the weekend through this special opportunity to connect with others and become acquainted in small groups. 9:00 PM to ? - Free time; informal discussion Saturday, August 19, 2017 7:30 to 8:00 AM - Optional group meditation 8:00 to 8:30 AM – Break / breakfast preparation 8:30 to 9:30 AM – Potluck continental breakfast and open discussion 9:30 to 9:45 PM – Break / clean up
9:45 to 10:00 AM – Welcome and introductions Upgrading Your Personal Operating System and Buggy Programs
with Gary Weber. Gary will lead an interactive session on the neuroscience behind our brain's buggy "operating system" and how our
behaviors arise as a result of them. Read the Fall Workshop details for the three sessions. 10:00 to 11:30 AM - Breakout Session #1. Groups go to respective workshops. 11:30 to Noon – Break / lunch preparation Noon to 1:45 PM – Potluck lunch and open discussion 1:45 to 2:00 PM – Break / clean up 2:00 to 3:30 PM - Breakout Session #2. Groups rotate to new workshops. 3:30 to 5:30 PM - Free time 4:00 to 5:00 PM - Optional video presentation: Becoming the Truth. This video, which was presented for the first time at the June 2017 TAT gathering, will explore the arc of Richard Rose's life as a seeker, finder, family man, and teacher. 5:30 to 6:45 PM - Potluck dinner and open discussion 6:45 to 7:00 PM - Break / clean up 7:00 to 8:15 PM - What's one thing you want to know that you think someone here could answer or help with? Discussion among participants and workshop session leaders. 8:15 to 8:30 PM - Break
8:30 to 9:00 PM - Silent Rapport Sitting 9:00 PM to ? - Free time; informal discussion Sunday, August 20, 2017
Sketch of the historic Claymont Society Mansion
7:30 to 8:00 AM - Optional group meditation 8:00 to 8:30 AM – Break / breakfast preparation 8:30 to 9:30 AM – Potluck continental breakfast and open discussion 9:30 to 10:00 AM – Break / clean up / check out of rooms 10:00 to 11:30 AM - Breakout Session #3. Groups rotate to final workshop. 11:30 to Noon – Wrap-up and feedback for future meetings and workshops Noon to 12:15 PM – Break / lunch preparation 12:15 to 1:30 PM – Potluck lunch and open discussion 1:30 PM - Clean up and adjourn |
Location and Facilities
The 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 Mansion is located at 577 Claymont Mansion 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.
Become a TAT member for $40 on or before July 19th and register at the discounted member prices.
Visit our membership page for information about TAT memberships.
* 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 Sunday, August 13th. 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 August 13th and receive a refund, minus a $5 handling fee. Cancellations after August 13th 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. We ask that each event participant bring 2 items, totaling about $15. A good rule of thumb is to bring enough food to serve 7 people with each item. All 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 friends 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.