ZENVC

The Way With and Without Words is a retreat for meditators and Nonviolent Communication practitioners who hold a vision of freedom that is profoundly deep, adaptive to any situation, and vibrantly alive; a vision of compassionate action that encompasses stillness and movement, silence and dialogue; and a vision of a spiritual practice that extends from our own minds and bodies, to our individual relationships, to our communities, and to Life itself.

Our days will include:

• Silent meditation periods to free us from our stories and habits of mind, to revitalize us in the stillness of “not-knowing”.
• Guided meditations to open our hearts to compassion for self and other.
• Dialogue circles to connect, refine our NVC skills and deepen our ability to stay present in relationship to others.
• Movement and sounding, in the Dancing Lodge, to share and bring alive our authentic expression, beyond words, in ceremony and to play with the artistry of Life.
• One-on-one time with retreat leaders and with other participants, for empathy and to clarify our understanding and awareness of our true nature.

Together, we will rediscover the place in ourselves where it all flows seamlessly, one into the other, with no separation between meditation and words.  We will also come to understand more deeply what it is to live in our power in the company of others, with no separation between teachers and students, trainers and participants, leaders and followers.

"JOTO" JESSE WIENS lived and trained in Soto Zen monasteries for seven years, practicing with such wonderful teachers as Tenshin Reb Anderson, Zenkei Blanche Hartman, and Toni Packer.  During that time, he also encountered the teachings of Nonviolent Communication (NVC), studying with founder Marshall Rosenberg and participating in trainer Robert Gonzales’ NVC LIFE (Living, Integrating, Fully Embodying) program for three years.  In 2006, Jesse founded ZENVC as a vehicle for bringing the teachings of Zen and NVC together.  Today, he continues to study these teachings by living them in his work and play as a Center for Nonviolent Communication Certified Trainer.

CATHERINE CADDEN has been an educator since 1987 finding alternatives to teaching, learning, and conflict resolution that work with the principles of nonviolence.  Her journey led her to study with a number of renowned teachers, among them Jack Kornfield, Elisabeth Kubler-Ross, Sahn Nicole Hill, Ram Dass, Marshall Rosenberg, and Stephen and Ondrea Levine.  In 1997, Catherine founded the TEMBA School, a visionary K - 8 academic program rooted in nonviolent philosophy, NVC, mindfulness, sustainable living, and artistic expression.  In 2009, her educational philosophy and story of TEMBA, Peaceable Revolution Through Education, was published.  As a Certified Trainer with the Center for Nonviolent Communication, Catherine brings over 13 years of experience practicing, living and teaching Nonviolent Communication (NVC) internationally to participants of all ages.

Together, Catherine and Jesse have worked on four continents with NGO’s, families, intentional communities, inmates, youth, Buddhists, Christians, Muslims, Jews, Baha’i, Hare Krishnas, atheists, activists, Democrats and Republicans.  They hold an unwavering confidence that this work is universally beneficial.

LOCATION:

Our venue is The Mountain, a retreat center perched at 4200' elevation atop striking granite cliffs and nestled in an ancient dwarf white oak wind forest, four miles southwest of Highlands, North Carolina. We chose it for its dramatic natural beauty, convenience to three airports (Atlanta, GA; Greenville, SC; and Asheville, NC), and mission supportive of ours (The Mountain's mission is to create communities committed to peace, justice, civility and compassionate behavior). You can find out more about our venue at The Mountain's website, here.

ACCOMODATIONS:

Guests are housed either in the Lodge or in cabins. Rooms are double or triple occupancy, with private rooms available for a surcharge if space is available. Lodging is assigned in the order registrations are received with special consideration given to those with mobility limitations. Special requests must be made in advance. For photos and more information about the accomodations, please visit The Mountain's website, here.

MEALS:

Meals will be vegetarian (and organic, if possible). Special needs can be accomodated in most cases (please note them in your registration form).

COST:

A contribution of $810, covers the costs of the retreat (meeting space, 21 vegetarian meals, and 7 nights in double or triple occupancy accomodations with private baths), as well as offering support to the trainers and their work. We welcome donations more than the requested contribution.