The Long Path is arranged in progressive stages, whereas the Short Path is not; it points to direct, immediate, and final enlightenment.
~ Paul Brunton
When we reach the crux of the matter, the spiritual path is about devoting our full attention, energy, and time to something much grander than self-improvement projects or unwanted facets of our ego. But how do we choose the best path? Are some approaches to the grand discovery more direct and shorter than others? Join us in exploring "short path" teachings and techniques that fasten our attention and immediately open our heart and mind to our True Nature, where reality abides. Like all TAT gatherings, the underlying theme of the weekend is one of friendship, of coming together to help each other on the spiritual path.
Meet our presenters:
Bob Harwood – Author of two books, A Path to Christ-Consciousness and Pouring Concrete: A Zen Path to the Kingdom of God, the latter of which was published after his personal search for truth came to an end in 1999. For a taste of Bob's writings, read Silence Ends the Search.
Mark Scorelle - Lifelong seeker of spiritual truth and a longtime student of Paul Brunton's work. He is a co-compiler of Brunton's book The Short Path to Enlightenment: Instructions for Immediate Awakening.
Leesa Williams – Yoga and meditation instructor and long-time spiritual seeker who has been influenced by TAT, Linda Clair, and Adyashanti. She currently teaches conscious relaxation and facilitates a self inquiry group in Lynchburg, VA.
Michael Whitely – Early student of Richard Rose and longtime spiritual seeker who remains deeply involved in the TAT Foundation.
Paul Constant – Veteran rapport facilitator, student of Richard Rose, and ever-evolving guide on the spiritual path. For a sampling of Paul's writings, visit the Articles and Essays page on searchwithin.org.
Additionally, there will be Group Self-Inquiry and Rapport and Meditation Sittings
The registration deadline for the June Gathering is Sunday, June 12th.
Weekend Schedule
Photo provided by Bob Fergeson
Friday, June 17, 2016 5:00 to 7:30 PM - Set-up and arrivals 7:30 to 9:00 PM - Welcome and evening interactive session led by Dean Nelson, Larry Inderbitzin, and Paul Constant. 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, June 18, 2016 7:30 to 8:15 AM - Optional meditation session led by Leesa Williams 8:30 to 9:30 AM - Arrivals and pot luck continental breakfast 9:30 to 9:45 AM - Break / clean up 9:45 to 10:00 AM - Welcome and introduction 10:00 to 11:15 AM - Short Path/Long Path: Teachings of Paul Brunton by Mark Scorelle 11:15 to 11:30 AM - Break 11:30 AM to 12:30 PM - Non-Conceptual Awareness Practice as a Doorway to the Infinite by Bob Harwood 12:30 to 12:45 PM - Break 12:45 to 1:45 PM - Lunch (potluck) and open discussion 1:45 to 2:00 PM - Break / clean up 2:00 to 4:00 PM - Group Inquiry: Through honest, open dialogue in small groups, we help one another clarify our understanding by turning away from untruths. Thus we turn from the illusion of life to Reality. Such questioning is at the core of Richard Rose's Albigen System. 4:00 to 5:00 PM - Optional session on Attending to the Actual, a gentle walk led by Bob Harwood 5:00 to 5:30 PM - Break 5:30 to 6:45 PM - Dinner (potluck) and open discussion 6:45 to 7:00 PM - Break / clean up Our Saturday evening sessions include honest and open sharing from a selection of seasoned seekers and those who are just stepping onto the spiritual path. In spiritual circles, we often desire to hear the voices of deeply realized teachers but tend to overlook the immense wisdom of our peers. This series of "seeker story" sessions will allow us to learn from our fellows and gain a rich understanding of their personal discoveries, successes, and setbacks. Our past seeker story sessions have created a very open and powerful atmosphere. 7:00 to 7:30 PM - Seeker Story Session #1 7:30 to 8:00 PM - Seeker Story Session #2 8:00 to 8:30 PM - Seeker Story Session #3 8:30 to 9:00 PM - Rapport Sitting by Paul Constant 9:00 PM to ? - Free time; informal discussion Sunday, June 19, 2016 7:30 to 8:15 AM - Optional meditation session led by Leesa Williams 8:15 to 9:00 AM - Pot luck continental breakfast and open discussion 9:00 to 9:15 AM - Break / clean up 9:15 to 10:30 AM - Direct Pointing to Our True Nature by Michael Whitely 10:30 to 10:45 AM - Break 10:45 AM to Noon - Open Space Session: we'll create spontaneous small-group sessions around topics of interest that arose during the weekend or otherwise call to our hearts and minds. Noon to 1:00 PM - Lunch (potluck) and open discussion 1:00 PM - Check out of rooms, clean up, 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 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:
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 May 17th 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, June 12th. 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 June 12th and receive a refund, minus a $5 handling fee. Cancellations after June 12th 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 6 people (about $10). 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.