THE UNIFICATION OF MIND

with Mikey Noechel and Andrew Chapman

January 27th to 31st, 2027

St. Mary’s Sewanee, Sewanee, Tennessee

In the depth of winter, the natural world grows quiet and still. This retreat gives us an

opportunity to follow that pull inward — toward silence, spaciousness, and the unification of

mind.

So much of our ordinary life pulls our attention outward and into fragments, toward the next

task, the next thought, the next demand. Over time, this scattering can leave us feeling depleted,

unfocused, and out of touch with our own life.

In meditation, we cultivate a mind that is collected, clear, and undivided. As the mind settles, the

usual static of distraction and rumination begins to quiet, revealing a natural steadiness and ease

that is always available beneath the surface of our busyness. From this place, insight naturally

develops.

This retreat will offer specific instructions on the cultivation of samādhi, meaning "the

collectedness or unification of mind." We'll explore how to fine-tune the practice, refining

attention in ways that allow deeper states of concentration to arise naturally — including breath

awareness and metta (lovingkindness) as a complementary path toward deepening concentration.

Rather than chasing a goal, the aim of this retreat is simply to understand this territory more

clearly, and to let concentration deepen as a byproduct of steady, well-supported practice.

WHAT TO EXPECT

The retreat will be held in noble silence, creating a supportive environment for deep and

sustained practice. The daily schedule will center on alternating periods of sitting and walking

meditation. The teachers will offer meditation instructions, Dharma talks, and group interviews

to provide guidance and support throughout the retreat.

IS THIS RETREAT RIGHT FOR ME?

This retreat is suitable for beginners and experienced meditators alike. You do not need to arrive

knowing how to meditate or having attended a silent retreat before. Clear instructions will be

offered throughout the retreat, along with a structured schedule and regular opportunities to ask

questions and receive support from the teachers.

Retreat practice can be challenging, and you will not be navigating those challenges alone. The

retreat will be led by two teachers who have been authorized to teach in the Theravada Buddhist

lineage within the Insight Meditation tradition. Together, they will create a grounded and

supportive environment where you can deepen your practice at your own pace.

PLEASE NOTE REGISTRATION CLOSES December 20, 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 Three Accommodation Options

Below are links to photos:

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

St. Mary's Hall Dorm Rooms (each room shared hall bathrooms)

Double Hotel Style Room Anna House - $850

4 nights of shared accommodations and 10 meals

2 twin beds per room, private bathroom,

Double Dorm Style Room with Community Hall Bathroom St. Mary's Hall - $690

4 nights of shared accommodations and 10 meals

Dorm style, twin beds, shared bathrooms in hallways,

Private Dorm Style Room with Community Hall Bathroom St. Mary's Hall - $890

4 nights of shared accommodations and 10 meals

Dorm style, twin beds, shared bathrooms in hallways,

PAYMENT PLAN OPTION:

Pay a minimum of $100 deposit to reserve your place. We must receive the full amount due by December 20, 2026. You can pay on your balance as often as you'd like. The reminders are set to be emailed every 2 weeks.

REGISTER WITH A PAYMENT PLAN DEPOSIT

Tentative Retreat Schedule - subject to change
Wednesday, January 27

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, January 28, 29, 30

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, January 31, 2027

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

THE UNIFICATION OF MIND Cultivation of Samadhi Silent Meditation Retreat with Mikey Noechel and Andrew Chapman

Residential Retreat • January 27th to 31st, 2027