SIG 2010 Weekend Spiritual Intensive

Friday, October 1st - Sunday, October 3rd, 2010
Durant Nature Park - Raleigh, North Carolina

The Self-Inquiry Discussion Group of Raleigh (SIG) will be hosting its second weekend retreat in October. The dates of the retreat are Friday, October 1st through Sunday, October 3rd. Last year, we had an amazing line-up of speakers and a great group of retreat participants. A powerful sense of Heart flowered in the midst of all those present, who came together to share with one another and to learn from one another on this journey Home. If you're curious about last year's retreat, you can view the info and agenda.

Please note that space is very limited (like last year) and we have set a rigid attendance cap of 60 people, which includes speakers. Spots will be given on a first-come-first-served basis, and we do expect the retreat to fill up like last year. For this reason, we are now accepting registrations, even at this early date. You are also welcome to reserve a spot for a non-refundable $40. Last year, we did not help the speakers with any traveling or lodging costs, but are committed to contributing this year. Thus, we have set the cost of the retreat at $95, which will still include lodging (with caveats) and food. (As with last year, we do not want someone to not come for reasons of cost: if cost is a serious issue that will make or break your attendance, please let us know.) To register for the event ($95) or make a place-holding non-refundable deposit ($40), please send payment via PayPal to events@selfinquiry.org (as a "Personal" > "Other" payment) or write a check to:

Luke Roberts
104 Milton Drive, Apt. B
Carrboro, NC 27510

Be sure to include your name and contact information with the payment. On PayPal, use the optional "Email to recipient" for this purpose.

We will be at the same facility as last year: Durant Nature Park, Raleigh, NC. This means that, in addition to the 60-person attendance cap, we are limited in terms of lodging resources. There are 22 bunks, which are first-come-first-served. There are 16 army cots, which, judging from last year, do not provide the most luxurious sleeping experience - please bear this in mind. There will be plenty of camping space. We encourage those who live locally or have friends and relatives in Raleigh to stay with them in order to free up space at the lodge.

Finally, this event will be "advertised" primarily by word-of-mouth and so we encourage you to pass along this and all subsequent emails to those who you feel may be interested in attending. Please check out SIG's website for updates: www.selfinquiry.org. You are also always more than welcome to email e

The Speakers

Bart Marshall
After a long journey that took him from the jungles of Vietnam to Richard Rose's backwoods farm in West Virginia, Bart came to the end of seeking in 2004. For samples of Bart's writing, please visit to www.selfinquiry.org, or to these sites: www.searchwithin.org/download.htm and www.tatfoundation.org/forum_index.htm. He also appears in the spiritual documentary, Closer than Close.

Bruce Joel Rubin
Oscar-winning screenwriter and director Bruce Joel Rubin (Jacob's Ladder, Ghost, Deep Impact, My Life, Time Traveler's Wife) has been a spiritual practitioner and teacher since the late '60s, and has taught popular Kundalini yoga and meditation classes in New York and Los Angeles for many years. To listen to MP3s of some of his talks, please go to www.brucerubin-class.org/2009.aspx.

David Scoma
After years of spiritual seeking, David Scoma finally became that which he sought. He now maintains a spiritual blog and Web site, as well as contributes articles to other sites, such as the TAT Forum. Check out his many articles and MP3s at www.JustPerception.net.

Margot Ridler
Margot Ridler was a successful businesswoman and therapist when her “self,” her identity as a person, suddenly fell away. For the next four years she wandered homeless through Mexico and Central America as she dealt with the problems and miracles of “no-self.” Finally, in November 2009, she realized her true nature and the journey to Truth was completed. Visit her website at www.TheGreatestLieEverBelieved.com.

Michael Hall, PhD
A clinical psychologist in private practice in Binghamton, NY, Michael Hall practiced Zen Buddhism for 25 years before his sudden Awakening in 2002. In addition to traditional psychotherapy, he now teaches the direct path to spiritual awakening to a growing number of students, as well as to his clients. His first book, Awake and Alive: Spiritual Awakening in Daily Life is due out soon. For samples of Michael's writing, plus MP3s and videos, please go to: www.awakentotruth.com and www.awakentotruth.blogspot.com.

Paul Hedderman
Paul Hedderman has been involved with the recovery community since 1988, and has been leading workshops and holding talks for 18 years. Many of his talks are available on his website at: www.ZenBitchSlap.com.

Shawn Nevins
A student of Richard Rose, Shawn's journey came to an end in 1999. He expresses his discovery through his poetry, his prose, and his website, www.SpiritualTeachers.org. Check out a few of his writings: "The Black Wall", "Everything Undifferentiated", and poems.

Steven Norquist
Check out Steven's plain-spoken essay on enlightenment: "What is enlightenment, no, I mean really, like what is it?". He is about to publish a new version of The Haunted Universe, a dark, poetic induction into Truth - "a swan dive into oblivion."

MORE on the SELF INQUIRY DISCUSSION GROUP of RALEIGH, NC
The Self Inquiry Discussion Group provides an opportunity to meet with others involved in the search for Truth and Self-definition via Self-inquiry. Our meetings consist of an informal and open discussion of paths, teachers, techniques, philosophical and spiritual systems, and possible ways and means for expediting the search. The discussions are not academic or theoretical, but rather focus on our own personal experiences as seekers. There is usually also a period of silent meditation at some point during the evening.

Most people who continue to come to our meetings are not concerned with "Why should I seek Self-realization?" but rather, "What is the best way to go about it?" There is a paradox in that we use words to talk about that which is beyond words, and although there is often talk of paths and things to do, there is also general agreement that the best approach is subtractive: that is, rather than try to accumulate more spiritual and worldly knowledge, doubt the truth of all you think you already know.

If you find yourself drawn to teachers like Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj, Richard Rose, Ramana Maharshi, Douglas Harding, Tony Parsons, Franklin Merrell-Wolff, Eckhart Tolle, Adyashanti, and the ancient masters of Zen, Advaita Vedanta, and Christian Mysticism, you may find the retreat and our meetings very worthwhile.

For more information on the Raleigh SIG group, please check out our Web site: www.selfinquiry.org.

Photograph "Exploding Star" by Valerie Bruchon (www.valeriebruchon.com).