TAT 2012 June Gathering

Friday through Sunday, June 15 - 17
Your House is Burning:
Urgency on the Spiritual Path

The purpose of Self-enquiry is to focus the entire mind at its Source. —Ramana Maharshi

Richard Rose once went around the participants in a summer intensive asking the question: "What is the forgotten aspect of the mind?" We came up with varying guesses, but none of us hit on the one that Mister Rose wanted to point out: the ability of the mind to forget.

At some time in our lives we may intuit that there's a primary problem that life presents us, which is to find out why we're here or, more esoterically perhaps, what we truly are. And unless we dismiss the intuition as impossible to pursue, we set out to do so. But we get busy with the demands and distractions of our daily lives, and days, months, even years may go by before we remember that there was an underlying concern we wanted to address ... and an unresolved longing or yearning that's been with us for most of our lives.

Gautama Buddha talked about having wandered through countless births seeking but not finding the "builder of the house"—i.e., the source of his conscious existence—and how, finally, the builder had been seen: his mind had attained the "unconditioned" (nirvana), and the end of longing had been achieved.

Our earthy house is burning from the time of birth until its eventual demise. What can we do to minimize the effects of the mind's ability to forget the urgency of finding an end to longing, an end to the suffering that arises from not knowing what we are (and, concurrently, what we were before birth and will be after death)?

TAT's 2012 June Gathering provides an opportunity for those interested in remembering our primary problem and finding urgency on the spiritual path.

The registration deadline for the June Gathering is Friday, June 8th.

 

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 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 June Gathering fees per person for TAT members are as follows:

• $100 for members, which includes meeting registration and overnight lodging on Friday and Saturday in the Claymont Mansion, or
• $50 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:

• $150 for non-members, which includes meeting registration and overnight lodging on Friday and Saturday in the Claymont Mansion, or
• $90 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 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.

* 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, June 8th. 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, June 8th and receive a refund, minus a $5 handling fee. Cancellations after June 8th 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 event participant bring enough food to feed 8 people (about $10). 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:

• Americas Best Value Inn, 807 Willow Spring Dr, Charles Town, WV (304) 725-2041
• Carriage Inn Bed & Breakfast, 417 East Washington Street, Charles Town, WV (800) 867-9830
• Hampton Inn and Suites, 157 Pimlico Drive, Charles Town, WV (304) 725-2200
• Holiday Inn Express Hotel Ranson, 681 Flowing Springs Road, Ranson, WV (304) 725-1330
• Northgate Inn, 106 Jefferson Terrace Rd, Charles Town, WV (304) 725-1402
• The Inn at Charles, 750 Hollywood Drive, Charles Town, WV (304) 885-5800
• Towne House Motor Lodge, 642 East Washington Street, Charles Town, WV (304) 725-8441
• Turf Motel, 741 East Washington Street, Charles Town, WV (304) 725-2081

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.