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2025 Refuge of Belonging Annual Retreat
near Nashville, TN
September 28 - October 4, 2025

Join us for our annual gathering as the Refuge of Belonging community comes together for a week of deepening practice and shared exploration. In this week long residential retreat just outside Nashville, Tennessee, devon + nico will guide participants through a series of Buddhist meditation practices designed to awaken the experience of insight (“vipassana”).

The retreat will begin with an introductory talk and conversation on Sunday evening, reconnecting as a community and outlining our week of practice together. The following days will be held in noble silence, with an emphasis on continual mindfulness and clear knowing.

Community members will have the opportunity during the week for group and individual practice meetings with devon + nico. Each morning and afternoon of the retreat, devon + nico will offer guided meditations and dharma talks.

Prerequisites

To participate in this annual community retreat, please ensure you meet the following requirements:

1. At least two prior week long insight meditation retreats - This retreat builds upon established practice and is designed for practitioners with retreat experience.

2. An ongoing relationship with nico and/or devon - As our annual community gathering, this retreat is specifically for those who are already part of our extended practice community.

Space for this retreat is limited to 12 participants. Please note that all rooms are doubles or triples (there are no single room options).

Costs
The following tiers cover room and board. Please pay at the rate that aligns with your resources.

• Benefactor Rate: $1290

• Sustaining Rate: $990

• Supported Rate: $790

There will be an opportunity to offer a teaching donation at the end of the retreat.

Cancellation Policy
Your payment is refundable minus a $200 deposit until one month before the retreat. After August 28th, the amount is no longer refundable.

Queries
For more information on schedule, location, transportation, scholarships, and other odds and ends, please email the retreat manager, Rachael Tanner-Smith, at rtannersmith@gmail.com.