Loving Kindness Meditation Retreat
with Rev. Mikey Noechel, MS
and
Andrew Chapman, LMSW
 
St. Mary’s Sewanee
770 St. Mary's Lane Sewanee, TN 
 
Residential Retreat • July 16-20, 2025

About the Event

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In this retreat, we will engage in sustained meditation practice to cultivate a deeper understanding and connection with our internal experience. By observing the natural flow of the mind-body process, we develop the clarity and compassion necessary to meet life’s joys and challenges, pleasure and pain, fear and joy, sadness and happiness with greater acceptance and balance.

 

Our focus will center on the practice of Metta, a Pali term often translated as loving-kindness, friendship, or goodwill. Metta practice nurtures an open-hearted capacity for kindness toward ourselves and others, serving as an antidote to fear and reactivity. Over time, this practice fosters a sense of connection with all of life, grounded in acceptance and care.

 

The retreat will take place in noble silence, offering an environment conducive to deep practice. Daily activities will include meditation instructions, Dharma talks, mindful movement, silent sitting and walking meditation, and group interviews to support your practice.

 

This retreat is open to both beginners and experienced meditators.

 

*When planning your budget, consider including a contribution of dana (generosity) for the teachers at the conclusion of the retreat.

 

TEACHER BIOS:

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Rev. Mikey Noechel, MS

Mikey Noechel is the guiding teacher and co-director of Wild Heart Meditation Center in Nashville, TN. Mikey is a Buddhist teacher who has been empowered to teach in both Theravada and Mahayana traditions through the authorization of Ven. Pannavati Bhikkhuni and Ven. Pannadipa Bhikkhu. Mikey also holds a master’s degree in Counseling Psychology. He integrates these two worlds: the old school Buddhist teachings with new school psychology, in a way to help individuals free themselves from suffering of all kinds. Mikey regularly brings Buddhist meditation into treatment centers, jails, and a variety of settings.

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Andrew Chapman, LMSW

Andrew Chapman is the founding teacher of Wild Heart Meditation Center in Nashville, TN.  He teaches weekly groups, intensive Buddhist study programs and trainings, and meditation retreats. Andrew is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with a psychotherapy practice and also provides training and lectures for students and professionals in the fields of education and mental health. Andrew has had extensive training in both the Thai Forest & Burmese methods of practice. He is authorized to teach in the Buddhist lineage through Spirit Rock Meditation Center in Woodacre, California.

Retreat Schedule

Wednesday, July 16
4:30-6:00 pm Arrival & Registration (eat dinner before arriving or bring a meal)
6:30 pm          Orientation 

7:00 pm          Retreat Opening
9:00 pm          End of Day
10:00 pm         Lights Out

 

Thursday - Saturday, July 17, 18 & 19
6:30 am          Wake-up Bell 
7:15 am            Sitting Meditation
8:00 am           Breakfast
9:00 am           Morning Instruction
10:00 am         Walking Meditation
10:30 am          Sitting Meditation
11:00 am          Walking Meditation
11:30 am           Sitting Meditation
12:00 pm          Lunch
1:00 pm            Rest
1:30 pm            Sitting Meditation
2:00 pm          Walking Meditation / Self-Directed Movement & Stretching 
2:30 pm           Afternoon Instructions 

3:30 pm           Walking Meditation
4:00 pm           Sitting Meditation
4:30 pm           Walking Meditation
5:00 pm           Sitting Meditation
5:30 pm           Walking Meditation
6:00 pm           Supper
7:00pm            Dharma Talk
8:00 pm           Walking Meditation
8:30pm            Sitting Meditation 
9:00pm            End of Day
10:00 pm          Lights Out

Sunday, July 20
6:30 am           Wake-up Bell
7:15 am             Sitting Meditation
8:00 am            Breakfast
8:45 am            Packing & Cleaning
9:30 am            Closing (all attend)
11am                  End of Retreat

Retreat Center Direction : https://www.stmaryssewanee.org/directions

Retreat Pricing & Expected Support for Teachers

TEACHER DANA:
As part of the Buddhist tradition, the teachers of this retreat do not receive any of the retreat fees, apart from travel reimbursement. Their time and teachings are freely offered to the community of practitioners. As a practice of generosity from the heart, participants are invited to offer “dana” (donations-generosity) to the teachers at the end of the retreat. Thank you for your support.

These registration costs pay for your room and meals and some of the costs it takes Flowering Lotus Meditation to continue to host phenomenal meditation Buddhist teachers in the south. Some of the costs include, but are not limited to, teacher travel. insurance, web and marketing, staff and retreat center costs, deposits and rental fees, accounting, event management software, payment processing, etc.

Double Hotel Style Room

4 nights of shared accommodations and 10 meals 
$787

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Double Dorm Style Room with Community Hall Bathroom

4 nights of shared accommodations and 10 meals 

$590

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When you sign up you will have the option to pay a deposit ($150) to reserve your spot, then pay the balance gradually.

 

This rate is supporting 2 scholarship students, as well as paying the way of our two teachers, two assistants and two retreat managers.

REGISTRATION CLOSES FOR THIS RETREAT JUNE 15, 2025

Our teachers rely sole on the generosity of the students for their livelihood. Teachers receive no compensation for teaching at Flowering Lotus Meditation. Please plan to give generously to our teachers at the end of the retreat.

If you have questions or need additional information about this retreat or other Flowering Lotus program offerings, please contact

Beth Herzig, Executive Director
floweringlotusms@gmail.com
601-918-8510

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