Upcoming Retreats

"Cultivating Peace and Joy"
Retreat
October 14 - 16, 2016

-- Open for Registration --


--- Mark your calendar for the upcoming retreats in 2016 ---

Weekend Retreats in Charles Town, WV:
* Oct. 14-16, 2016
* Dec. 9-14, 2016 (5-day retreat)


Recent Retreats

5-Day Retreat in Massachusetts

June 12 - 17, 2015
-- Video --


The Art of Happiness

June 10 - 12, 2016

Being Solid, Being Free

March 11 - 13, 2016

Embracing the Inner Child with Mindfulness

December 11 - 16, 2015

Peaceful Breath, Joyful Step

October 16 - 18, 2015



"EMBRACING THE INNER CHILD WITH MINDFULNESS"

A Five-Day Retreat

December 11 - 16, 2015

With Anh-Huong and Thu Nguyen


Whether or not we can remember the difficult times we have all had as children, there is a suffering child in each of us. We try to keep ourselves busy - either with work or through consumption - because we do not want to experience that suffering all over again. But the wounded child is always there, longing for our return. Running away from this child can prolong the suffering.

During this retreat, we come together as a community to practice mindful breathing, sitting, walking, mindful movement and eating, in order to touch the peace and happiness that are available in the present moment. Mindfulness also helps us to be there so that we can hear our inner child's voice calling for help. The community's collective energy of mindfulness and compassion will embrace and heal us, as well as  the wounded child in each of us. When we have healed ourselves, our relationships with others become much easier.




Teachers

Anh-Huong Nguyen and Thu Nguyen have practiced the art of mindful living with Thich Nhat Hanh for more than 30 years. They have led mindfulness retreats in the United States since 1988 and in 1992 were among the first students to be ordained as Dharma teachers by Thich Nhat Hanh. Anh-Huong is the author of "Opening the Heart of Compassion", a guided meditation CD and co-author of "Walking Meditation", a multimedia manual on mindful walking. They are principal teachers at the Mindfulness Practice Center of Fairfax (www.mpcf.org).

Cost

The cost of the retreat which includes meals and overnight accommodations is $600 per person. Room accommodation is of dormitory style with three or more beds per room. A limited number of rooms with two single beds are reserved for couples. We ask that all participants be at least 13 years of age. A fifty percent deposit is required to reserve a place. (All but $35 of the deposit will be refunded if notification of cancellation is received prior to December 4, 2015). The balance is due upon arrival at the retreat. A confirmation letter with a map and other necessary information will be mailed or e-mailed to each participant.

Retreat Schedule

  • Friday:
    • 5 pm – Registration
    • 6 pm – Dinner
    • 7:30 pm – Orientation.
  • Saturday, Sunday, Monday, Tuesday:
    • Morning: Guided sitting meditation – Breakfast - Outdoor walking meditation - Dharma talk / Questions and answers.
    • Afternoon: Lunch followed by programs that cultivate Mindfulness including: Total body relaxation, QiGong & Mindful movements, Tea meditation, Group sharing.
    • Evening: Dinner - Group sharing - Sitting meditation / Touching the earth.
  • Wednesday morning: Guided sitting meditation – Breakfast - Outdoor walking meditation – Dharma talk / Questions and answers.
  • Wednesday Afternoon: Lunch - Closing circle – 3pm: End of retreat.

Claymont Court

The Claymont Court Retreat Center is located on 369 acres of forest and farmland in the Shenandoah Valley of West Virginia, less than 90 minutes by car from Washington, D.C., or Baltimore.

Directions to Claymont Court.