spiritual life and transformational practice
Periods of deep practice and structured retreat play an irreplaceable role in maturation and growth. Our retreat programming provides a rare opportunity for spiritual practice within an explicit social justice framework, an opportunity to explore the links between suffering and liberation on the individual and collective levels. Most retreats combine specific guidance in meditation and yoga with time and encouragement for people to find mastery of their own path.
Soul Sanctuary
For five days of every other month, The Stone House is reserved for 6 activists and organizers to come spend time here in a way that they need to replenish themselves. Optional periods of meditation and yoga as well as volunteer work time are available to those who desire it. People have time and space to sleep and write, read and converse, make art, walk, worship in their tradition and learn about the natural world that surrounds us here in the rural environment of Mebane. We hope that people leave nourished by silence and by stories, by laughter and food, music and the natural sounds of night in the country. Click here for more information on the program. The program is free of charge; all meals and accommodations are included.
Being Change: The Way of the Activist
The retreat provides abundant time for silence, rest, practice, structured and unstructured reflection, discussion, and workshops on change theory, group dynamics, and spiritual/political strategy.Click here for more information.
Daylong Retreats
The Stone House offers regular community practice days that are free and open to the public. Held in silence, the days are composed of periods of meditation and yoga with some time for questions. The teachings are designed to thread an understanding between these contemplative practices and the work of transformation in the world. Often themed in accordance with the season, participants are invited to explore the way that lessons of the natural world have significance for our lives and work. Click here for more information.
Intensive Practice Retreats
stone circles offers occasional opportunities for people to deepen their spiritual practice in a more intensive and protected environment. Yearly 10-day intensive vipassana meditation courses taught by Michele McDonald and Jesse Maceo Vega-Frey. The Yoga of Social Change is a 5-day intensive yoga retreat led by Claudia Horwitz designed to show the parallel practices of liberation in body and society.
Individual Retreats
Individual retreats are available to those with experience in practice and with familiarity with The Stone House, in one of the cabins or our small hermitage in the woods. Many opt to spend their time in silence; check-ins with staff are always available. This opportunity is primarily geared for social change practitioners.Click here for more information.
Guest Teachers
We also have an ongoing series of teachers who offer short wisdom-centered events at The Stone House. 
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