Evening Practice at the Episcopal Church of the Ascension

[Update: March 11, 2018. Camping places are still available, however the lodge is close to full. If you are interested in the lodge, please register and we will let you know as soon as possible whether we have places for you.]

Thich Nhat Hanh teaches that when we are mindful and concentrated joy naturally arises:

When you contemplate the big, full sunrise, the more mindful and concentrated you are, the more the beauty of the sunrise is revealed to you. Suppose you are offered a cup of tea, very fragrant, very good tea. If your mind is distracted, you cannot really enjoy the tea. You have to be mindful of the tea, you have to be concentrated on it, so the tea can reveal its fragrance and wonder to you. That is why mindfulness and concentration are such sources of happiness. That’s why a good practitioner knows how to create a moment of joy, a feeling of happiness, at any time of the day. ~ From Your True Home: The Everyday Wisdom of Thich Nhat Hanh

The Still Water Mindful Families Retreat offers us an opportunity to develop the habit of dwelling in the present moment in a family-friendly environment. We invite you to join us over the weekend of May 4 through 6, 2018, as we share child-oriented practices for stopping, becoming aware of the present moment, practicing mindfulness throughout the day, and learning that every step and every breath can be an opportunity for joy.

All participants who share the aspirations of the retreat are welcome. You do not need to bring children to attend. Our mindful weekend offers a gentle rhythm of mindfulness practice, arts and crafts projects, nature exploration, planned and free play, and service to our retreat sangha. Children are invited to learn and lead basic practices of mindful living in community. Adult practice is supported by early morning sitting and walking meditations, as well as dharma discussions on parenting and practice in the family. The setting at the confluence of the Susquehanna River and the Chesapeake Bay provides opportunities to explore and engage in mindful play and activities in a variety of natural habitats.

The community will share responsibility for three meals on Saturday and two on Sunday. Each family unit will help purchase and prepare one or more vegetarian meals. All participants will help wash dishes after each meal and share in age appropriate community chores during the retreat.

 The retreat will be held at the Charter Hall Retreat Center near Perryville, Maryland, about 75 miles from downtown Silver Spring. 

The Still Water MPC has established a sliding scale for our retreats so that all may attend:

For those staying in the lodge the suggested donation is $160 for each adult and $60 for each child. For those wishing to offer additional support to the community, the benefactor donation is $200 for each adult and $80 for each child. The limited income donation, which just covers the cost of the accommodations, is $120 for each adult and $50 for each child.

For those wishing to camp the suggested donation is $80 for each adult and $40 for each child. The benefactor donation is $120 for each adult and $60 for each child. The limited income donation is $50 for each adult and $30 for child.

You are welcome to contribute any amount between the limited-income contribution and the benefactor contribution (or more if you wish), in accord with the urgings of your heart and your means and circumstances.

With your contributions, Still Water MPC is able to meet its financial obligations, support its teachers, develop new programs, create space for those with limited incomes, and offer no-cost community events. If contributing at even the limited-income level would be a hardship, please let us know and we will endeavor to make other arrangements with you.

NOTE: All contributed amounts above the Limited Income level are considered by the Still Water MPC to be voluntary, tax-deductible donations.

Space in the lodge is limited, so please register early.

Cancellation Policy
If the registrant cancels 8 days or more before an event, the entire amount will be refunded. If the registrant cancels 7 days or fewer before the event, 75% of the amount paid will be refunded.

Register now

For more information, please contact the retreat registrar, Ari, at arbaissa@gmail.com.