SUMMER OF LOVE with Mikey Noechel and Andrew Chapman

July 15th to 19th, 2026

St. Mary’s Sewanee, Sewanee, Tennessee

In a world that often pulls us toward disconnection, reactivity, and fear, the cultivation of love is a radical and necessary practice. In meditation, we develop an intimate awareness of the full spectrum of experience, both pleasant and painful, within the body, heart, and mind. With loving awareness, we begin to open to the ever changing feelings, thoughts, emotions, and inner narratives that shape our lives. So much of our ordinary life is spent trying to fit ourselves into the schedules, expectations, and demands of the world around us. Over time, this can leave us feeling disconnected from ourselves and overwhelmed by pressure.

This retreat weaves together mindfulness meditation and heart based practices, offering a path back to presence and connection. Through sustained practice, we begin to soften habitual patterns and open to a more spacious and responsive way of being. These teachings support us in meeting both ourselves and the world with care, clarity, and balance.

The retreat will be held in noble silence, creating an environment that supports deep practice.

Each day will include periods of sitting and walking meditation, along with meditation instructions, Dharma talks, mindful movement, and group interviews. This retreat is open to both beginners and experienced meditators.

PLEASE NOTE REGISTRATION CLOSES JUNE 15th 2026 at 11:00 PM

TEACHER BIOS:

Rev. Mikey Noechel, MS (he/him) is a Buddhist teacher, author, and counselor. Mikey is the guiding teacher at Wild Heart Meditation Center in Nashville, TN. He regularly brings Buddhist meditation classes into addiction treatment centers, prisons, and a variety of settings. Mikey is the author of his upcoming book Blood, Guts, & Buddhism: The Dharma of Horror Movies, Heartbreak, and The Nature of Suffering. Mikey is the co-host of the punk rock, mental health podcast Punks On Hope and is the singer for the punk band The Rip Taylors.

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.

LINKS:
linktr.ee/MikeyLivid
wildheartmeditationcenter.org

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 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. 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. Our teachers rely 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.

The registration fees 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. We will offer 2 full scholarships for this retreat or several partial scholarships. Reach out to Flowering Lotus Meditation if you need assistance. (Email: floweringlotusms@gmail.com)

Your registration pays for 4 nights of accommodations and 10 meals.

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

Read more about the practice of Dana?

If you’re someone who likes having a reference point, some retreat centers note that practitioners often give between half and the full cost of retreat registration in dana to the teachers at the end of the retreat.

Please read about the Two Room Options

Below are links to photos:

Anna House Hotel Style Rooms (each room has air conditioning, two twin beds and a private bathroom)

St. Mary's Hall Dorm Rooms (each room has one strong fan per person - no air conditioning shared hall bathrooms)

Double Hotel Style Room - $822 (central air)

4 nights of shared accommodations and 10 meals

2 twin beds per room, private bathroom, heat/air

Double Dorm Style Room with Community Hall Bathroom - $662 (no central air in dorms, fans in each room)

4 nights of shared accommodations and 10 meals

Dorm style, twin beds, shared bathrooms in hallways, heated (no air)

Tentative Retreat Schedule - subject to change
Wednesday, July 15

4:30 - 6 pm Arrival & Registration (eat dinner before arriving or bring a meal)

6:30 pm Orientation

7:00 pm Opening Ceremony (all attend in meditation hall)

9:00 pm End of Day

10:00 pm Lights Out

Thursday - Saturday, July 16, 17, 18

6:30 am Wake-up Bell

7:15 am Sitting Meditation

8:00 am Breakfast

9:00 am Morning Instruction (all attend)

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 / Self-Directed Mvmt

1:30 pm Sitting Meditation

2:00 pm Walking Meditation

2:30 pm Afternoon Instructions (all attend)

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 (all attend)

8:00 pm Walking Meditation

8:30 pm Sitting Meditation / Evening Wrap-up (all attend)

9:00 pm End of Day

10:00 pm Lights Out

Sunday, July 19

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 Group Picture / End of Retreat

If you have questions or need additional information about this retreat or other Flowering Lotus programs offerings, please reach out!

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

SUMMER OF LOVE with Mikey Noechel and Andrew Chapman

Residential Retreat • July 15 - July 19, 2026