Fall Immersion: The Lotus of the Heart
October 5-8 – Ely, Mn ~ with Ben Vincent
Our annual Fall Immersion is intended for those looking for in-depth study and practice of yoga in a communal retreat setting. This immersion will delve experientially into the Lotus of the Heart. We will integrate dharma teachings, holistic practices (asana, pranayama, meditation, mantra, chanting, kriya, yoga nidra, self-reflection, etc.), meditative ritual, music and devotion. We’ll share laughter, tears, songs, stories, meals and the joy of sangha. We invite you warmly to join us for this sacred time of practice, teachings and ritual – with abundant time in nature, community and solitude.
The Lotus of the Heart
Across time, diverse cultures and spiritual traditions, the Spiritual Heart or Heart Center has been revered as a Sacred place of union (yoga) between the seen and unseen, the individual and the universal, the human and divine. In the Yoga, Tantra and many mystical traditions, the heart center (Anahata or Hridaya), is the seat of the Divine within – where the True Self/ Soul (Atman) is in communion with the Universal (Brahman, Para Shakti). Thus, it is considered a sacred refuge and the innermost shrine in the living temple of the human body.
As the abode of the Soul, in the Lotus of the Heart dwell many shaktis (sacred powers). These include love, wisdom, compassion, grief and gratitude, non-attachment and our sva-dharma – our essential nature and unique creative genius. We long for the freedom and fulfillment of the Heart, because it is our ultimate nature. Thus, the journey to the heart is often considered the essential pilgrimage in life.
Along this life journey, we will encounter the full experience of human life – both the beauty and sacredness of life, the joys and sorrows of the world, the pain of feeling separate from the Sacred and the longing for our return. Ultimately, these sufferings can initiate us into the deeper territory of the heart – calling us to heal, awaken + bring forth our gifts. We long to bring forth our Sva Dharma and its gifts, because they are fullest expression of and offering to life – and they are the needed medicine for ourselves and the world.
In the Lotus of the Heart, we’ll explore:
- The heart center as refuge and living temple of the Sacred
- The power of the Soul in these times
- Karma, Dharma and the journey to the Heart
- In depth Teachings and Practices for Healing and Awakening the Heart
- The Yogic Understanding of the Divinity as transcendent consciousness and immanent power
- Awakening the Shaktis (sacred powers) of the Heart: Love, Wisdom, Compassion, etc.
- Answering the call of the times to Compassionate Dharmic Action
- Caring for our hearts and the heart of the world
- Grief + Gratitude – being stretched large by the heart
- Internal and Communal Rituals for the heart
- So much more
The Place: Camp du Nord, near Ely, MN. A stones throw from the Boudary Waters, Camp du Nord is set amongst the pine, maple and birch forest alongside Lake Burntside. It has been a natural place of sanctuary, retreat, reconnection for more than 50 years.
Lodging & Meals: Our lodging will be communal in modern wooden cabins, beautiful and simple. Each cabin features a full kitchen, indoor bathroom, fireplace, living & dining room, bedrooms, sleeping loft and wireless internet. You will be responsible for your breakfast and lunch. Dinners will be communal, each participant will be part of the cooking group for one evening meal. We’ve done this for years, and it works wonderfully. Preference for lodging requests will be given in the order in which registrations are received. To view one of the cabins, please click here
Activities: Hiking, Canoeing + Kayaking, Sauna + Lake Plunge, Massage, Relaxing lakeside and fireside and the occasional hootenanny singalong ( *massage not included in the price of the retreat)
Daily Session Schedule:
- Sunday Oct 5: Check-In 4 pm, Dinner 5 pm, First Session 6:30-9 pm
- Monday Oct 6: 9-12 am, 3:00-5:30 pm
- Tuesday Oct 7: 9-12 am, 3:00-5:30 pm 7-9 pm
- Wednesday Oct 8: 8-11am – Option to stay to Oct 9 if available (more info below)
Chanting and Silent Meditation M-W from 6-7 am (recommended, but optional)
Transportation, Arrival & Departure
It is about a 4.5 hour drive from the Twin Cities. You are responsible for your own transportation. We encourage carpooling, and will assist in finding you a carpool if you like. For Directions, click here
Arrival time is anytime after 4pm On Sunday October 6. We’ll have a group meal Sunday at 5pm, and the immersion will begin officially at 6:30p. Teaching and group practice will end Wednesday Oct 9 around 12. There may be the possibility of staying an extra day until Oct 10. to rest and integrate. Please inquire when registering if interested.
Your Investment:
- $695 – Twin bed in a communal Loft Space
- $795 – Shared bedroom space (2 people/room, twin beds or queen bed for couples)
- $950 – Private bedroom space (queen bed)
As of Sept 2, just a few spaces remaining!
Early Registration Discount- Receive $35 off the shared bedroom or loft rates when you register and pay in full by Aug 10. Early registration discount does not apply to private rooms or cabins.
All rates are per person. This is a small group immersion and space will be allotted in the order in which registrations are received.
Rates are inclusive of:
- Lodging: For more information on accommodations and activities, visit the fall retreat page.
- Immersion Tuition
- Use of Camp du Nord facilities (sauna, hiking trails, canoes + kayaks, etc.)
Massage will be available during breaks. Please note meals are not provided. Each cabin has a fully equipped kitchen for all your cooking needs. We will plan to eat dinners communally, with groups taking turns preparing food if the group size accommodates eating/cooking together.
To reserve your space: please submit registration/waiver form + payment at the same time
- Fall Immersion Registration + Waiver
- Submit a $300 deposit (per-person, non-refundable) or payment in full. Payment are preferred through Venmo (@vincent-yoga), and can also be made through PayPal (bvrocksteady@gmail.com), check (see directions below), or CC. Venmo is free when paying as a friend. There is a 3.5% fee for paypal, CC or when paying for “goods and services” through Venmo to cover costs. Contact us directly to pay via CC or paypal.
All payments are due by Sept 5. There will be a $50 fee for payments, payment plans and registrations received after Sept 5. For those unable to pay-in-full before Sept 5, payment plans are available through paypal credit. All payments are final, there are no refunds unless the retreat gets cancelled. The non-refundable $300 deposit covers the costs to camp du Nord in the event that the retreat should have to be cancelled for unforeseen reasons. Other discounts and scholarships are not available.
Please contact us with any questions or inquiries
Testimonials:
“I have attended several fall immerisons. Each one has been an enriching, nourishing, and powerful experience through Ben’s thoughtful, insightful, and poetic teachings. The most profound aspect of this sacred time is shedding the noise of the outer everyday world of tasks, to-do lists, and responsibilities to focus on the quietness of the inner self and life for a few days. I leave with a deeper understanding of my practice that I have carried forth in my everyday life and that continues to unfold. Every fall I look forward to reuniting with the astounding beauty of the north woods (especially Burntside Lake!) and the warm, welcoming community.”
