"There is a path to Truth. From ignorance to relative knowledge. From relative knowledge to an awareness of the limitation of such knowledge. And finally, we pass from intelligence to a reality of Being."
~ Richard Rose
Richard Rose (1917-2005) lived, spoke, and wrote without the pretense or arrogance so often found in spiritual and philosophic work. He never charged any money for his teaching, and he never closed his door to any sincere seeker, or to anyone who was troubled and wanted to discover an avenue to peace and mental clarity. Since his first public lecture in Pittsburgh in 1972, Mr. Rose maintained a lifestyle unaffected by opportunities for wealth, fortune, and fame. He was a relentless man who had the determination, inspiration, and dedication it takes to discover the total answer to the riddle of life. Read more about Mr. Rose here: Who is Richard Rose?
Join us during our very special June gathering, dedicated to teacher, author, poet, and TAT founder Richard Rose. Experience a weekend of open and honest communication, hear stories of seeking and finding, participate in inspirational discussion, and make connections with others on the path of self discovery. We'll delve deeply into Richard Rose's principle that you cannot learn about the Truth—you have to become the Truth. For newcomers and long-time TAT friends, our time together provides a rare opportunity for spiritual experience, growth, participation, and insight as taught by Mr. Rose.
Meet our presenters:
Art Ticknor: Transcending the Mind: Dreaming the Impossible Dream—Looking (listening, feeling, tasting, smelling) for Truth
Art Ticknor worked first hand with numerous psychological and philosophical systems during years of intensive research. Twenty-six years of effort toward self-definition paid off in 2004, when the final nail was driven into the ego's coffin during an intense Realization.
Art is the author of the books Solid Ground of Being and Beyond Relativity, invaluable guides on the quest for self knowledge. He currently lives the life of a modern day mystic and is involved in the Philosophical Self-Inquiry Discussion Group in Gainsville, Florida.
Bob Cergol: Rapport Sitting
Bob Cergol was 19 when he met Richard Rose in 1972 and soon after attended the initial gathering wherein the TAT Foundation was officially formed. After 27 years of seeking, Bob found the ultimate answer—an answer precipitated while reading Alfred Pulyan's personal correspondence with Rose, dated August 1960. Listen to his story in an August 2016 podcast interview on SpiritualTeachers.org.
Over the past decade, Bob has delivered a number of poignant presentations during TAT events and has authored numerous Forum essays that were ultimately published in Beyond Mind, Beyond Death, a TAT Foundation Press book. Bob and his wife have two girls, now both in college, and he works in the Information Technology field.
Mike Gegenheimer: Richard Rose's Approach to Meditation
Richard Rose's efforts to contact individuals blossomed in the early 1970's in Pittsburgh and on college campuses in Ohio as interest in philosophy, Zen, and self-inquiry developed from the social traumas of the 1960's and 1970's. During that era, Mike was a student of Richard Rose, and he remains deeply involved in the TAT Foundation. He is a featured presenter in the film What Is Spiritual Action? and is active in the Central Ohio Nonduality Group.
Michael Whitely: Meet Richard Rose
Miichael was an early student of Richard Rose. He is longtime spiritual seeker who remains deeply involved in the TAT Foundation. Michael is active in the Pittsburgh Self-Inquiry Group.
Paul Constant: The Albigen System
Paul Constant became a student of Richard Rose in 1985. Currently, his fascinations and explorations are directed toward uncovering the mysteries of life and ourselves. Of late, his spiritual interests include balancing the natural intelligence of our body, the wisdom and resourcefulness of our mind, and the feeling-sense of our Heart. Listen to a September 2016 podcast interview of Paul Constant on SpiritualTeachers.org or visit searchwithin.org.
For the past 30 years, Paul has expressed his love for Truth by facilitating retreats, leading rapport sittings, serving as a TAT Foundation member, and studying with Richard Rose during 1985-1995. Paul and his wife live in Pennsylvania. They were adopted by two kittens in 2013.
Additionally, during the weekend there will be Group Inquiry, presentations from Richard Rose's students, and poetry and stories by and about Richard Rose.
The registration deadline for the June Gathering is Sunday, June 18th.
Weekend Schedule
Photo provided by Bob Fergeson
Friday, June 23, 2017 5:00 to 7:30 PM - Set-up and arrivals 7:30 to 9:00 PM - Let's Get Acquainted with Richard Rose 9:00 PM to ? - Free time; informal discussion Saturday, June 24, 2017 7:30 to 8:15 AM - Optional meditation session led by Mike Gegenheimer 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 11:00 AM - Meet Richard Rose by Michael Whitely 11:00 to 11:15 AM - Break 11:15 AM to Noon - Transcending the Mind: Dreaming the Impossible Dream—Looking (listening, feeling, tasting, smelling) for Truth by Art Ticknor Noon to 12:15 PM - Break / lunch preparation 12:15 to 1:15 PM - Lunch (potluck) and open discussion 1:15 to 1:30 PM - Break / clean up 1:30 to 2:30 PM - Richard Rose—Touching the Lives of Students 2:30 to 3:00 PM - Richard Rose—Touching the Lives of Students (cont'd). Panel Q&A. 3:00 to 3:30 PM - Break 3:30 to 5:00 PM - Group Inquiry 5:00 to 5:15 PM - Break / dinner preparation 5:15 to 6:45 PM - Dinner (potluck) and open discussion 6:45 to 7:00 PM - Break / clean up 7:00 to 8:00 PM - Poetry and Stories by and about Richard Rose led by Willa Holmes 8:00 to 8:15 PM - Break 8:15 to 9:00 PM - Rapport Sitting by Bob Cergol 9:00 PM to ? - Free time; informal discussion Sunday, June 25, 2017 7:30 to 8:15 AM - Optional meditation session led by Leesa Williams 8:30 to 9:30 AM - Pot luck continental breakfast and open discussion 9:30 to 9:45 AM - Break / clean up 9:45 to 11:30 AM - The Albigen System facilitated by Paul Constant 11:30 AM to Noon - Weekend wrap-up and feedback for future TAT gatherings Noon to 12:15 PM - Break / lunch preparation 12:15 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's Great Barn near Charles Town in the eastern panhandle of West Virginia. The Great Barn's presence mixes perfectly with 350 private acres of forests and farmland. Sleeping accommodations include a mixture of single and double beds with dormitory style 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 guests should expect to share sleeping quarters and bathrooms with other participants.
The Claymont Society Great Barn is located at 667 Huyett Road, Charles Town, WV 25414. Claymont is 50 miles/60 minutes from the Dulles International Airport near Washington D.C. Travel directions to Great Barn.
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 24th 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 18th. 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 18th and receive a refund, minus a $5 handling fee. Cancellations after June 18th 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 Great Barn:
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.