(Satsang now Being Offered Once Again As a Result of Repeated Requests)
Option A: The One-on-One Advaita Vedanta Retreat Package with floyd
Option B: The Two-Seekers Advaita Vedanta Retreat Package with floyd
OVERVIEW
All non-duality satsang and Yoga retreats are held at a private country club on Lake Conroe in South Texas, located north of Houston along the I-45 corridor, easily accessed by Houston Texas Advaita seekers, by Dallas Texas Advaita seekers, by Austin Texas Advaita seekers and by United States Advaita retreat seekers and by international Advaita retreat seekers who can fly into the nearby international airport. The location and the format allow participants to focus solely on the Advaita Vedanta Teachings or to combine an Advaita retreat and a vacation into one:
(Visit http://www.april-sound.com/index.htm for more photos and information.) The location is near an international airport so international seekers can often fly directly into the city. Austin Advaita groups, Houston Advaita groups, and Dallas Advaita groups have easy access by car and those throughout the U.S. can also usually find direct flights available from all major airports.
Participants will be provided an all-organic breakfast each morning, three Advaita Vedanta sessions per day, and access to the grill (lunch) or restaurant (dinner) at the community’s private country club. Vegetarian dishes are available.
[ http://www.april-sound.com/Dining/index.htm ]
Hundreds of restaurants are available within short drives, many located on the lake itself. Multiplex stadium seating movie theaters are nearby, as are restaurants and malls. As another option, you can also schedule massages, facials, aromatherapy treatments, reflexology sessions or other services at A Touch of Heaven Massage and Day Spa located across from the country club (Telephone 936-447-6262)
As weather permits, time is scheduled for outdoor quiet-time contemplation of the content of the sessions as well as swimming in one of four lakeside pools, fishing, bicycling, sunning, reading, and strolling along walking trails. Jet skis and boats are available for rent, a fully-equipped fitness center is available for workouts, and a sunset boat ride on the lake is included, conditions permitting.
Computer and internet access is available, as well as Dish Satellite TV. (Golfing is available for those who have membership in Associate Clubs.) Optional dinner and dancing cruises are available many evenings that will allow you to enjoy a nighttime cruise on the lake aboard the Victorian-style Southern Empress steamboat:
http://www.southernempress.com/
Areas are also available for sitting or for strolling along the shore of the lake or for lakeside picnics if preferred. Wildlife is plentiful and places for solitude in natural settings can always be found.
Lakeside sunsets during the spring, summer and fall also provide a sense of solitude.
RETREAT CONTENT
These retreats are referred to as " Advaita Vedanta retreat sessions, " but they could as easily be labeled as retreats or satsang or satsanga sessions which offer the teachings of non-duality, nondualism, nonduality, advaita, the natural yoga, or nisarga yoga. The nisarga approach that is employed most resembles the approach that was used, not by "the early Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj" or by "the middle years Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj", but by the fully purified consciousness that spoke as "the later Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj" during the final years of the manifestation.
Some would call these spiritual retreats as well, though participants usually discover something even beyond that which is offered at advaita retreats that take an all-spiritual approach.
In these sessions, all seven-steps of the “journey” from the “I” to the Absolute will be covered. Each nonduality session will begin with a guided meditation, then those in attendance will be moved along a “path” that guides them beyond identification with body and mind and personalities to a persona-free state. The Child Ignorance stage will be presented and then the first of two witnessing states shall be transcended and the ways of abiding as the True Self shall be revealed. Then, the shift to abiding as the Absolute shall be explained, as well as the beingness and the non-beingness.
[Sorry, no taping allowed: (1) The experience should be experienced first-hand, not via someone else's taped experience (2) much of the content includes copyrighted materials (3) participants in the past have been distracted by having to operate the recorder (4) having a tape lessens the focus during the sessions, participants subconsciously believing, "What I miss now, I'll get later when I play the tapes."]
Thus, for those who want a label for the approach employed, the nonduality method used to re-purify the consciousness is closest to Nisarga Yoga, but the ultimate goal is to reach the Full Understanding via the nonduality "path" to Full Realization that results in spontaneous, natural, AS IF living for the remainder of the manifestation. To facilitate that movement to completion of the "journey," seven, clear-cut steps will be offered.
NOTES TO INTERNATIONAL SEEKERS: (1) All Advaita Vedanta retreat sessions are conducted in the English language. (2) You might consider purchasing a product that can assist in ovecoming the effects of jet lag, such as the product available at www.nojetlag.com . (3) You might also consider purchase of an adrenal supplement to enhance energy levels during the day as well (4) a product such as "Herbal Sleep" that is available through Nature's Sunshine that can help induce sleep in the evenings: http://www.naturessunshine.com/products/catalog/products.asp?StockNun=940 . Such preparation can enhance the experience of the retreat by counter-acting the effects of a flight that crosses international timelines. (5) Among those who could afford it, some in the past flew in several days early, passed the days by exploring the local area, and allowed time to adapt to the time zone before beginning the sessions.
ITINERARY “A”
(Note: Ask about packages that can be arranged with a Friday-Saturday-Sunday schedule)
Option A: The One-on-One Advaita Vedanta Retreat Package with floyd
Monday: Arrive Houston in the afternoon, rent car, drive to condo
[Directions: http://www.april-sound.com/about/directions.htm ]
Dinner w/ floyd at a local restaurant (included) for initial interview
Tuesday: Breakfast with floyd
Non-Duality Session One
Lunch (Admission to country club grill arranged or directions to local options)
Non-Duality Session Two
Recreation
Non-Duality Session Three, Q&A
Dinner (Admission to country club restaurant arranged or directions to local options)
Silence
Sleep
Wednesday: Breakfast with floyd
Non-Duality Session Four
Lunch (Admission to country club grill arranged or directions to local options)
Non-Duality Session Five
Recreation
non-Duality Session Six, Q&A
Dinner (Admission to country club restaurant arranged or directions to local options)
Silence
Sleep
Thursday: Breakfast with floyd
Non-Duality Session Seven
Lunch (Admission to country club grill arranged or directions to local options)
Non-Duality Session Eight
Recreation
Non-Duality Session Nine
Dinner (Admission to country club restaurant arranged or directions to local options)
Silence
Sleep
Friday A.M.: Depart
ITINERARY “B”
Option B: The Two-Seekers Package with floyd
Monday: Arrive Houston in the afternoon, rent car, check into hotel, free time
Tuesday: Breakfast with floyd
Nonduality Session One
Lunch (Admission to country club grill arranged or directions to local options)
Nonduality Session Two
Recreation
Nonduality Session Three, Q&A
Dinner (Admission to country club restaurant arranged or directions to local options)
Silence
Sleep
Wednesday: Breakfast with floyd
Nonduality Session Four
Lunch (Admission to country club grill arranged or directions to local options)
Nonduality Session Five
Recreation
Nonduality Session Six, Q&A
Dinner (Admission to country club restaurant arranged or directions to local options)
Silence
Sleep
Thursday: Breakfast with floyd
Nonduality Session Seven
Lunch (Admission to country club grill arranged or directions to local options)
Nonduality Session Eight
Recreation
Nonduality Session Nine
Dinner (Admission to country club restaurant arranged or directions to local options)
Silence
Sleep
Friday: Depart
PREPARATION
It is suggested that, prior to arrival, you begin a journal in which you record specific portions of the Teachings that need more explication for you. You should visit www.advaitaquotes.blogspot.com and note any pointers in the quotes that are not clear. You may also visit www.advaitavedantameditations.blogspot.com and also make notes regarding any pointers that are not clear. Also, you might find it helpful to order your own copy of FROM THE I TO THE ABSOLUTE (A Seven-Step Journey to Reality) at http://floydhenderson.com/order.htm if you have not yet done so and mark any passages that need clarification. Bring pens or pencils and a notebook to the sessions as well.
CHARGES
These Advaita Vedanta Retreats are not being offered for profit or to earn a living. Charges are assessed for these sessions to replace income that would otherwise be earned during the days when work is set aside in order to meet with those seeking the Advaita understanding.
COSTS (Option A)
The One-on-One Advaita Vedanta Retreat Package with floyd
$790.00
The costs will provide housing for four nights, twin bed accommodations, private room and private bath at floyd’s condo, linens, towels, soap, shampoo; nine(9) one-hour Advaita sessions; one evening meal; computer access and internet access; Dish Network television; three all-organic breakfasts, and access to the grill (lunch) or restaurant (dinner) in the community’s private country club. (Many other restaurants are available within a two to ten-minute drive.)
ADDITIONAL EXPENSES (Option A)
*Driving costs to Conroe, Tx
or
*Airfare to Houston Intercontinental Airport
**Rental Car if flying into Houston
(Taxi fare, highway tolls, and airport fees can run $200 from the airport to the condo and back to the airport. A rental car can provide flexibility during your stay and could cost less overall than the use of taxis.)
***Lunch and dinner costs
COSTS (Option B)
The Two-Seekers Advaita Vedanta Retreat Package with floyd
$350.00 each
The costs will provide six all-organic breakfasts (three meals for two), access to the grill (lunch) or restaurant (dinner) in the community’s private country club, and nine (9) one-hour Advaita sessions. Many other restaurants are available within two to ten-minute drives.
ADDITIONAL EXPENSES (Option B)
*Shared Driving costs to Conroe, Tx
or
*Airfare to Houston Intercontinental Airport
**Shared Expense of Rental Car if flying into Houston
(Taxi fare, highway tolls, and airport fees can run $200 from the airport to the condo and back. A rental car can provide flexibility during your stay and will cost less overall than the use of taxis.)
***Hotel room, three nights (shared?)
***Lunch and dinner costs
REGISTRATION
A $350 non-refundable deposit is required ($395.00 for the individual retreat) since that week will be set aside for you and no replacement or backup bookings will be made; the balance is due a week prior to arrival.
To register and make the deposit, visit
http://www.floydhenderson.com/order.htm
and complete all the information requested
(VISA or MC only)
In the “Special Message” box, explain that you are scheduling the ADVAITA RETREAT and list the dates of the week you would prefer. If that week is available, your reservation will be confirmed; if not, alternate options will be presented. If Option “A” is selected but you prefer one of the nearby hotels, your package will be discounted $100 to help defray the cost. Your remaining payment will guarantee that you still have one-on-one access to floyd as well as all of the additional amenities (first night evening meal, internet access, computer access, Dish Network programming, etc.)
NEARBY MOTELS
Best Western Lake Conroe Inn: 936-588-3030
Super 8 Motel: 936-588-2886
FOR THOSE WITH LIMITED BUDGETS:
3 ONE-HOUR TELEPHONE SESSIONS ARE AVAILABLE
(ONE SESSION PER WEEK FOR THREE WEEKENDS IN A ROW)
($300.00 total. $75.00 deposit to reserve a date for the first session, balance of $225 paid prior to beginning the first of three sessions)
To make the deposit, visit http://www.floydhenderson.com/order.htm
(PRICE INCLUDES THE COST OF THREE LONG DISTANCE CALLS WITHIN THE CONTINENTAL U.S. ONLY. ALL OTHERS MUST CALL.)
REGISTER AS ABOVE BUT MENTION IN THE "SPECIAL MESSAGE" BOX THAT YOU ARE PREPAYING FOR THE THREE PHONE SESSIONS
FOR THOSE WANTING FLOYD TO CONDUCT SATSANGA IN THEIR HOMETOWN, THE FEE IS THE SAME AS OPTION "A" + TRAVEL EXPENSES + TAXIS TO AND FROM THE AIRPORT IN HOUSTON + $100 PER DAY TRAVELING.
FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT FLOYD AT:
http://floydhenderson.com/contact.htm
PEACE AND LIGHT, f.
