Meditation & Mindfulness
Must Be 18+
Self-Discovery
Spiritual
Calm & Clear Mind
Get Happy
Relieve StressAwaken from the Illusion of Separation
Dr. Angelo Dilullo leads this semi-silent retreat designed for those committed to an investigation into their deepest nature—that unnamable “something” that has been stirring inside.
During this experiential program, you explore the practices of
- Self-inquiry
- Daily guided and silent meditations
- Nature walks
- Work with thought and consciousness
- Emotional and direct sensory investigation.
In addition, there are wisdom talks, sound meditations, and Q&A sessions—all in community with like-minded seekers.
You’ll be completely supported as you begin—or continue—your journey into waking up and creating a profound sense of liberation and enlightenment.
A message from Angelo:
I have no doubt that you will find this experience transformative and worth the time commitment and effort. Your commitment not only benefits you but reflects and amplifies the commitment of your fellow attendees and deepens their experience profoundly. It is my hope that every person attending this retreat is serious about waking up to and embodying their innermost truth. You are in good company and will be in a supportive environment both practically and energetically.
This time is for you. It is a time to leave all other commitments aside and address the innermost promptings of your heart. This is a time to investigate that part of yourself that has been calling for a long time but has not been given the context in “life as usual” to come to fully to fruition.
In short, you will be surrounded by others just like you who have been carrying this question around for a very long time. This is not the type of question that needs an answer, not in the usual sense. It is a question that points to a possibility. It points to something profoundly mysterious, yet too close to talk about. It points to something unimaginably powerful, yet always at rest. It points to complete absorption into vivid transient aliveness and it also points to a radical freedom and spontaneity which never holds on or second guesses itself.
Let us investigate together.
Open to everyone.
Recommended reading Awake: It’s Your Turn
Features
Presenter
Angelo Dilullo, MD, is an anaesthesiologist, author, and teacher who experienced a life-altering spiritual awakening at the age of 24. His book, Awake: It’s Your Turn, is a practical set of tools and investigations that allow you to access, realize, and actualize your pristine, undivided nature.
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Rooms & Pricing
Private Hotel Room
All options include daily vegetarian meals from dinner on the night of check-in through lunch on the day of checkout. (Rates below are per person.)
- King bed or two full beds
- Flat screen TV
- Refrigerator
- Private bath
- Hair dryer
- Complimentary Wi-Fi
- Daily delicious vegetarian meals
- Complimentary tea/coffee & fresh fruit
- Daily yoga & meditation classes
- Access to fitness & steam rooms
Shared Hotel Room (2 People)
- Twin beds
- Flat screen TV
- Refrigerator
- Private bath
- Hair dryer
- Complimentary Wi-Fi
- Daily delicious vegetarian meals
- Complimentary tea/coffee & fresh fruit
- Daily yoga & meditation classes
- Access to fitness & steam rooms
Private Retreat Room
- Twin beds
- Private bath
- Complimentary Wi-Fi
- Daily delicious vegetarian meals
- Complimentary tea/coffee & fresh fruit
- Daily yoga & meditation classes
- Access to fitness & steam rooms
Shared Retreat Room (2 People)
- Twin beds
- Private bath
- Complimentary Wi-Fi
- Daily delicious vegetarian meals
- Complimentary tea/coffee & fresh fruit
- Daily yoga & meditation classes
- Access to fitness & steam rooms
Shared Retreat Room (3 People)
- Twin beds
- Private bath
- Complimentary Wi-Fi
- Daily delicious vegetarian meals
- Complimentary tea/coffee & fresh fruit
- Daily yoga & meditation classes
- Access to fitness & steam rooms
Schedule
Simply Always Awake Silent Retreat
Waking Up to Your True Nature
December 1–7, 2024
Subject to change.
Sunday 3:00–4:00 pm, 7:30–10:00 pm
Monday–Friday 9:00 am–12:00 pm, 1:00–6:00 pm, 8:00–10:00 pm
Saturday 9:00–11:50 am Room checkout is 11:00 am; luggage may be held at Reception.
General Information
All times are Eastern Standard Time (EST) unless otherwise noted.
Arrival Day
4:00 pm Check-in begins; Rooms are ready by 4:00 pm, but if you arrive early we will hold your luggage at Reception.
6:00–7:00 pm Dinner
7:00–7:20 pm Guest Orientation Session (Venue: Dining Hall)
Actual schedules and venues may vary; please confirm with Front Desk upon check-in.
Apart from the activities in your program schedule, we offer the following optional complementary activities. (Please join only if your program schedule permits.)
- 9:45–10:45 am Yoga | Thu–Sun
- 11:00 am–12:00 pm Mind & Meditation | Thu–Sun
- 1:30–2:15 pm Guided Hike* | Assemble at Shankara Reception | Sat
- 2:30–3:45 pm Ayurveda Cooking Class* | Tulsi Kitchen
Thu: Sweet Treats • Sat: Chef’s Seasonal Recipe - 4:15–5:15 pm Yoga | Wed–Sat
- 5:30–6:00 pm Guided Meditation | Wed–Sat
- 7:30–8:15 pm Meditative Chants/Kirtan | Wed–Sat
Saturday kirtan is outdoor by the bonfire; weather permitting.
*Included with Wellness Escapes and R&R; Other participants: $35.00/per person
CLAY STUDIO
Thursday
Wheel-Throwing Classes
11:00 am, 1:15 pm, 3:00 pm
75 minutes; $65
Friday & Saturday
Hand-Building Classes
11:00 am, 12:30 pm, 2:15 pm, 3:30 pm, 4:45 pm, 6:00 pm
60 minutes; $55
*Class schedules are subject to change; glazing and shipping are included.
Hours
Wednesday 11:00–8:00 pm
Thursday–Saturday 9:00 am–6:00 pm
Sunday 8:00 am–2:00 pm
We encourage you to make reservations for consultations, therapies, and treatments at our award-winning Shankara Ayurveda Wellness at least four weeks before your arrival date to ensure availability. Please call 828.264.8382 for details. Additional cost.
On-Campus Program FAQs
For room reservations, Ayurveda Wellness Retreats, and Art of Living Retreat Center (AOLRC) signature retreats, we have the following cancellation policy:
- Refunds are available (less a $50 per person processing fee) up to 15 days before your program or stay.
- Nonrefundable credit toward a future AOLRC program or stay (less a $50 per person processing fee) is available if you give notice between 14 and one day(s) before your program or stay. Credit may be applied to any AOLRC program or stay for one year following date of issue.
- No credit or refund is available if you cancel on the arrival day, if you do not show up, or if you leave an event early for any reason. No refund will be available if you attend a program and are dissatisfied with its presentation or content.
AOLRC reserves the right to cancel a program at any time. If AOLRC cancels a program, you will receive a full refund. Some programs may have special cancellation policies; see individual workshop descriptions. For all other retreats, please be sure to check the registration page specific to that retreat.
Unless otherwise indicated, our programs are open to participants 18 years of age and older.
To encourage a healthy environment we ask that guests not consume alcohol or meat in our public spaces, however, guests may enjoy these items in their rooms.
Our property is always smoke-free.
Yes, we ask that guests with food allergies simply inform us so we can communicate those needs to our chef. Typically, we label potential allergens such as gluten, dairy, and nuts.
We do have lodging and event venues that are ADA-compliant. Due to the topography of our mountain campus, some are easier to access than others, so please speak to Guest Services (800.392.6870) prior to registering to ensure we can best accommodate your needs. We also have shuttles that run frequently throughout the campus.
We are committed to the safety of our guests and staff. Our mountaintop location and the surrounding areas are spacious, remote, safe, and secure.
- It is safe to leave your windows open—and necessary for proper airflow!
- Nature surrounds our campus, and it’s common to see rabbits, deer, gophers, wild turkeys, and other small animals. Please give them space, and they’ll do the same for you. We’ve never had a safety incident with animals on campus.
You can help!
- If you come across an animal on campus or a trail, give it space, and please do not attempt to pet or feed it.
- There’s no need to bring valuables to the retreat center; leaving them at home is best.
