Qualities of a Liberated Mind: Spotlighting the Awakening Factors in Concentration and Insight Practice

A 10-day meditation retreat with Shaila Catherine

October 13 – 23, 2027
at Calvin Center, 13550 Woolsey Road, Hampton, GA 30228
(near Atlanta, GA)

The retreat begins with registration from 2:30 – 4:00 pm on October 13.

This retreat highlights seven qualities that prepare the mind for awakening: mindfulness, investigation, energy, joy, tranquility, concentration, and equanimity. These Seven Factors of Awakening mature in the course of both concentration (samadhi and jhana) and insight (vipassana) practices. They produce a bright, balanced, and peaceful mind that is imbued with deep concentration and ripe for insight. By cultivating these seven qualities, meditators refine their meditation skills, balance their energies, and progressively incline the mind toward awakening.

This retreat will include practical instructions on mindfulness of the body, feelings, and mind (satipatthana), and also mindfulness of breathing (anapanasati) as we nurture the seven factors. This retreat is intended for practitioners who already have some familiarity with mindfulness meditation practice and have attended at least one prior silent retreat of at least 5 days.

SITE FEATURES: This retreat will be held at the Calvin Center in Georgia. It is a lovely and quiet retreat center in the country side that boasts a small lake and opportunities for canoeing when weather permits. It is conveniently situated about 45-minutes from Atlanta’s airport. You will enjoy the benefits of natural beauty, a spacious meditation hall, comfortable accommodations, delicious meals, access to walking trails, and the chance for mindful canoeing.

COVID PRECAUTIONS: Participants are asked to help us prevent illness from entering the retreat or spreading if symptoms occur during the retreat. Please read our guidelines here, and do not attend this retreat if you anticipate resisting our efforts to mitigate the risks of spreading illness. In a nutshell, at this retreat participants are asked to not attend the retreat if they are ill, bring self-test kits and masks to use in case symptoms arise, communicate honestly with the teacher about health conditions, and follow the instructions of the teacher or retreat staff.  

Register now! Space is limited.

Participants who are traveling from afar might need to check flight times carefully, and if necessary arrange to stay in a hotel the night before the retreat. Early-arrival accommodations are not available at this retreat center, and we will depart shortly after noon on the closing day.

TO REGISTER: Please use the online form at the link below to submit your registration and waiver forms.

• Registration Form:

This form will take approximately 20 minutes to fill out. Upon completion of the form you will receive an email with details for completing your payment. You have the option of paying the non-refundable deposit of $250 or the full retreat payment either by mailing a check to the registrar or by making a Zelle bank transfer. The address and account information for making this payment will be included in the registration confirmation email.

The retreat facility is somewhat handicapped accessible. Accommodations include comfortable hotel-style rooms with ensuite baths, and also dorm-style cabins and lodges. See the application form for accommodation details.

COST: 10 nights (registration fee includes accommodation and meals). You will also be invited to make a donation to the teacher(s) at the end of retreat.

• Full retreat for single occupancy: 10 nights is $3900 – $3500 sliding scale (estimated actual cost for a single room is $3700)
• Double occupancy sliding scale: $3600 – $3300 (estimated actual cost for double occupancy is $3500)

The estimated actual per-person cost if we had used a fixed rate is $3700 for a single room, $3500 for a shared room, and $3000 for camping. By selecting an amount above the estimated actual cost, your generosity supports those who need to select a lower rate to attend the retreat. Selecting an amount below the estimated actual cost is equivalent to receiving a partial scholarship.

The sliding scale will allow most scholarship needs to be self-managed. If you need additional scholarship support to attend, consider applying for a scholarship through https://opendharmafoundation.org, or contact our registrar for partial assistance through IMSB/Bodhi-Retreats.

PARTIAL ATTENDANCE may be arranged for a stay of 5 nights or more, but must begin on the first day of retreat, and priority is given to full retreat participants. We strongly encourage attendance at the full retreat, especially for students new to Shaila Catherine’s retreats. Applicants for partial attendance will be placed on a wait list which will be reviewed approximately 2 months prior to the retreat. Partial attendees may be housed in double or single occupancy rooms depending upon availablilty 1 month prior to the retreat. You may contact the registrar to determine if single rooms for partial attendance are available.

The registration fee for partial attendance is the same for single or double occupancy. We will assign the accommodations based upon available rooms and beds.

• 5 nights (Tuesday–Sunday in single or double accommodations) is $2200
• 6 nights (Tuesday–Monday in single or double accommodations) is $2600
• 7–9 nights in single or double accommodations rate is same as full retreat

CANCELLATION POLICY: The $250 deposit is non-refundable. The balance is handled as follows:

Two months before the retreat (Before August 13, 2027)

Any retreat fee paid over the $250 deposit will be refunded to you by check. Or you may request that the funds be transferred to teacher dana or to our scholarship fund (these transfers are not tax-deductible).

Two months or less before the retreat (On or after August 13, 2027)

There is a $1,975 cancellation fee (includes the $250 deposit). The remaining balance of what you paid, up to $3700, will be granted to you as a 2-year voucher toward a future Bodhi Retreats retreat or Bodhi Courses online class. Any amount you paid over $3700 will be due to you as a refund. You can request one of these options for that refund:

• Apply it toward the 2-year voucher.
• Transfer the refund to teacher dana or to our scholarship fund (these transfers are not tax-deductible).
• Receive a refund check.

If IMSB/Bodhi Courses and Retreats LLC must cancel the retreat (due to unforeseen circumstances), full refunds will be given to those registered at the time the retreat is canceled.

DANA: Compensation for the teacher is not included in the registration price. There will be an opportunity to offer donations to the teacher at the end of the retreat.

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Co-Sponsored by Bodhi Courses & Retreats LLC and Insight Meditation South Bay