The Art of Living
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Being Human Takes Practice

A Meditation Retreat for Open-Minded Explorers and Fidgety Skeptics

Jeff Warren

Sit Still, See Clearly, Start Again

Dive into a weekend of mindful exploration designed for curious seekers, skeptics, and open-minded explorers alike. Guided by meditation teacher Jeff Warren, this retreat offers a unique space to sit with your thoughts, emotions, and worldview—learning from stillness, reflection, and shared experiences. Together, we’ll unlock profound insights about gentleness, healing, creativity, and connection. Whether you’re navigating resistance, overthinking, or emotional blocks, this immersive experience will help you reconnect with your truest self through meditation and self-discovery. You’ll leave with a clearer understanding of what meditation actually is—and how to make it work for your exact, quirky life.

October 23–25
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Starting at $370 (Tuition) + $616 (Lodging + Meals) plus tax

Reserve Your Spot Now

October 23-25, 2026
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SAVE! Add a day or two and save 20% off our R&R rates. Select your added day(s) on the Registration page.

Retreat Benefits

Rooted Clarity

Quiet the internal chaos and return to a grounded, focused mind.

Deeper Self-Respect

Honor your path with more sincerity, even when the ego tries to run the show.

Lighter Self-View

Learn to take yourself a little less seriously—and breathe easier because of it.

Fresh Insight

Gain meaningful perspective through mindfulness—and maybe a well-timed laugh or two.

Real Connection

Rebuild your relationship with presence, people, and the part of you that’s been waiting.

Moments of Enlightenment

Experience glimpses of something profound…or at least profoundly relaxing.

What to Expect

What if stillness held the answers you’ve been seeking? Over the course of this retreat, you’ll experience transformative practices that calm your mind, align your nervous system, and nurture both humility and self-compassion. You’ll cultivate the freedom to face life’s challenges with grace and leave feeling grounded, creatively inspired, and more deeply connected to your truest self.

1. Guided Meditation

Explore a variety of mindfulness and heartfulness exercises to ground and center yourself.

2. Interactive Discussions

Participate in group conversations that foster shared learning and growth.

3. Experiential Practices

Engage in practical exercises that deepen your meditation experience.

4. Mindful Movement

Reconnect with your body through gentle, intentional movement exercises.

5. Nature Walk

Reflect on personal insights over meals, nature walks, or journalling in your free time.

Being Human Takes Practice Program Schedule

This experiential retreat offers a well-balanced schedule that combines structured educational sessions with flexible time blocks – ensuring you have ample opportunity to engage in learning while also allowing personal time to explore the retreat center, participate in activities, and enjoy moments of reflection and relaxation.

Check-in Begins 4:00 pm

Dinner 6:00–7:00 pm

Orientation 7:00–7:20 pm

Session 1 7:30–9:00 pm

Breakfast 7:30–9:30 am

Session 2 9:30 am–12:30 pm

Lunch 12:30–1:30 pm

Session 3 2:00–4:00 pm

Free Time 4:00–6:00 pm

Dinner 6:00–7:30 pm

Breakfast 7:30–9:30 am

Session 4 9:30–11:30 am

*Room Checkout* 11:00 am Luggage may be held at Reception.

Lunch 12:00–1:30 pm

Breakfast  7:30–9:30 am • Lunch: 12:00–1:30 pm • Dinner: 6:00–7:30 pm

Optional activities include
Yoga • Meditation • Kirtan • Bonfire • Labyrinth • Nature Trails

“Jeff is an amazing meditation teacher, coach and mentor. The content and sessions were applicable and much needed. I'm looking forward to another retreat–both with him and this retreat center.”

—Theresa V.

“Jeff’s understanding about meditation practices and his gift as a teacher is remarkable.  He brings authentic empathy when working with his classmates.”

—Steve G.

“Jeff was just as expected - warm, humble, approachable. His program was relaxing and insightful. I recommend it for anyone interested in getting still and challenging themselves to being more in tune within and around them.”

—Meghan D.

“Jeff is masterful at creating space for a diverse group to engage in practice at our own level. He's a masterful storyteller, narrator of wisdom with humor, facilitator of engagement - what’s not to love?”

—Andrea H.

“Jeff is life-changing. This retreat was life-changing.”

—Jessica

“Jeff offers a very practical and relatable meditation retreat that can help anyone make use of tools to be better.”

—Gary T.

Meet the Presenter

Jeff Warren

Jeff Warren is a meditation instructor and journalist who is celebrated for his dynamic and accessible style of teaching. He is co-author of the New York Times bestselling Meditation for Fidgety Skeptics, author of The Head Trip—a travel guide to sleeping, dreaming and waking—and founder of The Consciousness Explorers Club, a nonprofit meditation adventure group based in Toronto.

Learn More
Jeff Warren 2023 Headshot Bio 1

Our Accommodations

Prices include daily vegetarian meals from dinner on the night of check-in through lunch on the day of checkout. (Rates below are per person.)

Private Hotel Room

Ideal for individuals, couples, or friends seeking hotel-style comfort and amenities.

  • King bed or two queen beds
  • Flat-screen TV
  • Refrigerator
  • Private bath
  • Hair dryer
  • Complimentary WiFi
  • Access to the coffee/tea lounge
  • Desk and office chair

Shared Hotel Room (2 People)

Ideal for friends seeking hotel-style comfort and amenities.

  • 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

Ideal for individuals, couples, or friends seeking simple surroundings for peace and clarity.

  • Twin beds
  • Private bath
  • Complimentary WiFi
  • Access to the coffee/tea lounge
  • Desk and office chair

Note Room may contain extra single beds.

 

Premium 1Bedroom Apartment

Fully furnished 665 sq.-ft. apartment (max: 2 persons)

  • 1 queen bed
  • Kitchenette
  • Balcony
  • Washer & dryer
  • Hair dryer
  • Iron & ironing board
  • A desk, chairs, and a nightstand
  • Flat-screen TV with cable
  • Complimentary WiFi
  • Refrigerator, stove range & microwave

Note Furniture may vary; each apartment is different.

 

Premium 1Bedroom Apartment with Loft

Fully furnished 995 sq.-ft. apartment (max: 4 persons)

  • 1 queen bed and 2 twin beds or 1 full bed
  • Kitchenette
  • Balcony
  • Washer & dryer
  • Hair dryer
  • Iron & ironing board
  • A desk, chairs, and a nightstand
  • Flat-screen TV with cable
  • Complimentary WiFi
  • Refrigerator, stove range & microwave

Note Furniture may vary; each apartment is different.

 

Have questions?

We’re here to help.

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. You may email us at info@artoflivingretreatcenter.org.

Thanks to the cool climate of the Blue Ridge Mountains, air conditioning is rarely needed. For the occasional warm day, there is a fan in each room to help keep you comfortable.

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.

We are remote—yet easy to get to.

The Art of Living Retreat Center offers the right balance between serenity and easy access.
  • Fly into Charlotte, NC—Two hours away by drive.
  • Check-in at 4:00 pm first day—eat dinner shortly after that.
  • Leave after lunch the last day—schedule your flight anytime
    after 5:00 pm.

Transportation Options Between Charlotte and the Center

Hickory Hop Shuttle Service  Book online  hickoryhop.com  The Hickory Hop shuttle goes from Charlotte airport to Boone five times daily. Reservations are required, so book ahead online and be sure to confirm shuttle times coordinate with your travel plans.

High Country Limo  828.898.9595   highcountrylimo.com

Oscar’s Car Service  704.965.5800

Edwardo’s Car Service  704.949.6775

Blue Bird Transportation  828.989.7286   Blue Bird of Boone

Abby Cab 828.475.2988  abbycab.com

Uber or Lyft  Book in app on arrival.

Other airports within driving distance from the Art of Living Retreat Center include

Tri-Cities Regional Airport (TRI) in Johnson City, TN (80 miles)
Piedmont Triad International Airport (GSO) in Greensboro, NC (110 miles)

Visit our directions page for more information.

Reserve Your Spot Now

October 23-25, 2026
REGISTER NOW

SAVE! Add a day or two and save 20% off our R&R rates. Select your added day(s) on the Registration page.