By the inquiry 'Who am I?,' the thought 'who am I?' will destroy all other thoughts, and like the stick used for stirring the burning pyre, it will itself in the end get destroyed. Then, there will arise Self-realization.
~ Who Am I? The Teachings of Ramana Maharshi
Who am I? The question is so compelling that millions of spiritual seekers have invested their lives exploring the mystery behind it. Some fall deeply in love with it, others are reluctantly thrown into it through the vagaries of life. Yet an answer may evade the most ardent devotee...
Our weekend together creates an atmosphere in which our heart and mind might open wide to a simple answer behind our most profound question. We hope this TAT meeting will be an intimate gathering where seekers as well as finders will join together to help each other, while sharing their stories, their successes, their struggles. We aim to foster an environment where bonds of friendship will be formed, and renewed.
Meet our presenters:
Jan Frazier – In 2003, Jan experienced a radical transformation of consciousness. Her wish is to communicate the truth that within every person is a pool of calm well-being that waits patiently to be stirred to life. Jan is the author of When Fear Falls Away: The Story of a Sudden Awakening and The Freedom of Being: At Ease with What Is. For a taste of Jan's teachings and writings, read Watch What Really Happens and What Happens at Awakening?, or visit her website Jan Frazier Teachings.
Amy Silver - Amy is the Executive Director of the Claymont Society. She has been a student in the Gurdjieff Work for over thirty years and has enjoyed the good fortune to study Movements under the guidance of Vivien and Pierre Elliot, Avrom Altman, Deborah Rose Longo, and many other students of J.G. Bennett.
Eric Clark – An experienced facilitator of spiritual process groups, Eric enjoys sharing his insights into the pursuit of self knowledge.
Ricky Cobb – Ricky has been a spiritual seeker (consciously) since 2003 and a member of TAT since 2007. He is currently attending a weekly Quaker meeting for worship (silent sitting) followed by participation with a local ACIM group.
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.
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 Yoga Nidra
The registration deadline for the Fall Gathering is Sunday, August 28th.
Weekend Schedule
Photo provided by Bob Fergeson
Friday, September 2, 2016 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, September 3, 2016 7:30 to 8:15 AM - Optional Yoga Nidra led by Leesa Williams 8:15 to 8:30 AM - Break / breakfast preparation 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 - You Are Not What You Think by Jan Frazier 11:00 to 11:15 AM - Break 11:15 to Noon - Q&A with Jan 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 3:30 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. 3:30 to 4:00 PM - Break 4:00 to 5:00 PM - Gurdjieff Movements with Amy Silver 5:00 to 5:30 PM - Break / dinner preparation 5:30 to 6:45 PM - Dinner (potluck) and open discussion 6:45 to 7:00 PM - Break / clean up 7:00 to 8:00 PM - What Am I? Facilitated by Eric Clark and Ricky Cobb 8:00 to 8:15 PM - Break 8:15 to 9:00 PM - Rapport Sitting by Paul Constant 9:00 PM to ? - Free time; informal discussion Sunday, September 4, 2016
Sketch of the historic Claymont Society Mansion
7:30 to 8:15 AM - Optional Yoga Nidra led by Leesa Williams 8:15 to 8:30 AM - Break / breakfast preparation 8:30 to 9:00 AM - Pot luck continental breakfast 9:00 to 9:15 AM - Break / clean up 9:15 to 10:15 AM - J.G. Bennett Meditations by Amy Silver 10:15 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 12:15 PM - Break / lunch preparation 12:15 to 1:30 PM - Lunch (potluck) and open discussion 1:30 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 Fall 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 August 3rd 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 28th. 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 28th and receive a refund, minus a $5 handling fee. Cancellations after August 28th 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.