TAT 2016 November Gathering
Drunk in this Tavern
Friday through Sunday
November 18-20, 2016
at the Claymont Society Mansion, WV
We find ourselves inebriated in this existence, not knowing how we got here. As Jalal al-Din Rumi (1207-1273) described the situation in "Who Says Words with My Mouth?" (in the wording by Coleman Barks):
All day I think about it, then at night I say it.
Where did I come from, and what am I supposed to be doing?
I have no idea.
My soul is from elsewhere, I'm sure of that,
and I intend to end up there.
This drunkenness began in some other tavern....
(See the March 2006 TAT Forum for the complete poem.)
Is there help in finding our way Home?
Meet our presenters:
Anima Pundeer: Identifications and Attachments
In June of 2004, Anima Pundeer had an experience where she realized her All-ness and One-ness.... She finally knew Freedom. She feels immense gratitude for all the help and guidance she got from her fellow seekers. She feels she couldn't have made this journey without her Guru and her friends—and the only way she feels she can help anyone is by sharing her own struggles and obstacles.
Anima is highlighted in the documentary film Meetings with Remarkable Women. She is a super busy mother of two who lives with her family in Houston, Texas. When she has spare moments, she weeds her vegetable patch.
Art Ticknor: What to do? What to do? (co-presented with Bob Cergol)
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: What to do? What to do? (co-presented with Art Ticknor)
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.
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.
Paul Constant: Doubt—The Two-Edged Sword of Spiritual Seekers
Paul Constant has been a TAT member since 1985. 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. Read his essays Friendship and Spiritual Rapport (PDF file), 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 spiritual teacher Richard Rose during 1985-1995. Paul and his wife live in Pennsylvania. They were adopted by two kittens in 2013.
Shawn Nevins: Presentation in the Poetry of Rumi
Shawn Nevins "fell onto the spiritual path in 1990," had an enlightenment experience in 1999, and since then has enjoyed making films, writing, and working with the TAT Foundation as well as his own small group in California. His creative endeavors include the book The Celibate Seeker and the film Closer Than Close—an acclaimed documentary on Self-realization. Shawn is also the co-author of Images of Essence. See his work at poetryinmotionfilms.com.
Shawn and his wife currently live in the San Francisco Bay area.
The registration deadline for the November Gathering is Sunday, November 13th.
|
Weekend Schedule 
Friday, November 18, 2016
Saturday, November 19, 2016
"We must learn to doubt, not only the verbal testimony of others, but the persuasions of our own beliefs, and keep looking for symptoms of self-delusion..." ~ Richard Rose, Psychology of the Observer "There is nothing more insidiously destructive to the attainment of liberation than self-doubt and cynicism." ~ Adyashanti Like most traits, our ability to doubt cuts both ways. As seekers, we should employ a healthy doubt when evaluating spiritual systems and teachers. That is, we should remain open to possibilities without fully believing what we're reading or hearing. By contrast, doubting ourself—doubting our ability to see the obvious and feel what is true in our heart—might lead us astray for years or even decades. In his session, Paul will reveal his own failures and successes and help us navigate the tricky balance between these two aspects of doubt.
Sunday, November 20, 2016
|
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 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 November Gathering fees per person for TAT members are as follows:
- $120 for members, which includes meeting registration and overnight lodging on Friday and Saturday in the Claymont Mansion, or
- $70 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:
- $170 for non-members, which includes meeting registration and overnight lodging on Friday and Saturday in the Claymont Mansion, or
- $110 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.
Become a TAT member for $40 on or before October 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, November 13th. You may cancel your registration on or before November 13th and receive a refund, minus a $5 handling fee. Cancellations after November 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:
- 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 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.