In the midst of our busy lives, it’s easy to lose touch with the hidden tears, laughter, and wild playfulness of the child within us. Many of us have learned to turn away from the more difficult moments of our childhood. Through mindful self-compassion and the support of a safe, loving community, we are offered a precious second chance.
Together, we can meet our inner child with the love and understanding they have always needed—and still do. Spring invites us into creativity, play, and renewal. We step into that invitation as a shared practice.
This retreat is a gentle return home. We welcome the rich and often-forgotten dimensions of our inner child—where fearless connection and innocent belonging can emerge through raw expression, compassion, and joy. Here, it is all welcome: to be shy or expressive, to laugh or cry, to sing, to move, to feel uncertain, or simply to be.
Guided by mindfulness practice and held by experienced facilitators, we create a space where each of us can feel supported and safe. We will walk in nature, sit in stillness, and tenderly meet the deeper layers of our emotional world. We will play, explore, and create—perhaps rediscovering forgotten joys along the way. There may be moments of quiet reflection, and moments of spontaneous laughter.
We come together not to perform or fix anything, but to reconnect—with ourselves, with each other, and with the simple aliveness that has always been here.
We look forward to sharing this space with you.
Location
Greatwoods Zen Sangha House
2631 Buckleigh Drive, Charlotte, NC
NOTE: This is a non-residential (commuter) retreat. Participants return home each evening.
Schedule
May 22 (Friday) 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM
May 23 (Saturday) 10:00 AM – 7:30 PM (Vegetarian lunch and dinner included)
May 24 (Sunday) 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM (Vegetarian lunch included)
Please bring one or two of your favorite childhood snacks.
What to Expect
We will be guided through mindfulness, self-compassion, somatic, and creative arts practices. As facilitators, we bring experience, care, and support—so you can relax into the process and engage at your own pace.
No prior experience is needed. You are welcome exactly as you are.
Participation is always invitational. You are free to opt in or out of any activity at any time. We trust each person’s capacity to care for their own well-being and boundaries.
Facilitators
Shawn McStravick is a Reiki Master Teacher, shamanic practitioner, and herbalist. Her practice is nourished by meditation, yoga, nature, and the creation of intuitive tea blends. Founder of Anam Cara Path, Shawn is known for her gentle, intuitive presence and her ability to create spaces where we can slow down, listen, and reconnect with ourselves. She brings a grounded and accessible approach to mindful ritual, sharing her love of plant wisdom and subtle, embodied practice.
David Viafora, LICSW (Chân Thiền Sơn / True Zen Mountain) ordained as a monk with Thích Nhất Hạnh in 2005 and spent several years living in the Plum Village monasteries before devoting himself to lay community practice. For over two decades, he has been nurturing sangha spaces rooted in mindfulness, connection, and joy. Now practicing with Greatwoods Zen in North Carolina, David brings warmth, depth, and a deep commitment to collective healing, shaped by his lived experience and ongoing exploration of intergenerational resilience.
Will Ritchey is an artist, organizer, and human-centered designer whose work lives at the intersection of creativity and spiritual practice. Rooted in the Plum Village tradition, their path is guided by mindfulness, community, and engaged practice. Will’s facilitation invites us into authentic expression and shared creativity, grounded in the understanding that all of us are inherently creative—and that both art and practice transform us from within.
Retreat Fees
This is a non-residential retreat. A limited number of housing options may be available—please inquire if needed.
Greatwoods Zen is committed to making this retreat accessible to all, regardless of financial means.
Sliding Scale:
Supporter – $395 (helps support others)
Self-Sustaining – $295 (covers your participation)
Scholarship – $195 (reduced rate)
Scholarships
Our scholarship system is rooted in trust, generosity, and respect for each person’s financial reality.
There is no need to explain your circumstances. We simply ask that you take only what you need, so we can continue supporting others.
If you request a scholarship, we ask for your sincere commitment to participating fully in the retreat.
We trust you. Our community is built on mutual generosity.
Cancellation Policy
We understand that plans can change, and we aim to balance flexibility with the needs of the community.
Within 48 hours of registering (for registrations made before May 1): Full refund minus a $25 administrative fee
Before May 10: 75% refund
Before May 20: 50% refund
After May 20: No refunds available
Registration
Registration is required in advance.
Final day to register: May 20
Questions
Please contact us at: Connect@GreatwoodsZen.org