Memorial Weekend Meditation Retreat: A Mountain Getaway with Monks

With Bee Intakanok, Venerable Michael Viradhammo and Venerable Nick Santacitto

May 23 - 25, 2025

Date and Time Details: Check-in is 3-4pm on Friday and check-out is at 1:00 pm on Sunday.

Location: Elohee Center

Location Elohee Center - Mandala Hall

What to Expect: To help deepen your retreat experience, Elohee does not provide televisions or internet access (unless you bring your own hotspot). Cell phone service is excellent for AT&T, Verizon, and Sprint. Your car will be left in a secured parking lot, and you will be shuttled up to your room upon arrival and shuttled back down to your car at departure. Shuttle service to your car is available at any time. All facilities at the top of the mountain are within a five-minute walk of each other, with some gravel roads. two cottage rooms are ADA compliant, and all cottage rooms are on ground level.

Small Private Room/Shared Bath – $457.22
Single Occupancy/1 King Bed/Private Bath – $659.22
Double Occupancy/2 Twin Beds/Private Bath (Price is per person, must register separately) – $457.22
Double Occupancy/1 King Bed/Private Bath (Price is per person, must register separately) – $457.22

Price includes the course fee, room, meals, and grounds fee but does not include taxes. Full price is shown upon selection of room type prior to registering. A 40% deposit is due at the time of registration with full payment due 2 weeks prior to the retreat start date. If you are interested in tent camping, please email us at info@elohee.org for more information. Registration closes 5 days prior to the retreat start date.

Elohee's Registration and Cancellation Policy

Learn the fundamentals, enjoy guided meditations, & listen to wisdom from the monks via official sessions, free time, guided yoga, and more. This retreat balances structure & freedom, rejuvenate mind & body, & fosters connection with self and others.

Spearheaded by the Georgia Meditation Center, this retreat will be led by two American Buddhist monks from Thailand and annual GMC guest teachers Venerable Nick and Venerable Michael. With an emphasis on meditation, this retreat will help both beginners and experienced practitioners alike review the basics and get invaluable sitting time with guided meditations led by the monks in the beautiful mandala hall, around the fire, and at the outdoor yoga pavilion. This blend of environments coupled with the wisdom and facetime with the monks will support practitioners of all levels to experience true inner peace.

This retreat will emphasize comfort, so there is no need to worry about a strict schedule or compelled silence during free time. If you would like to skip the early morning session or any others where you would prefer to get more rest or alone time, then this is permissible. There will also be some time allotted (see schedule below) for team-building activities and free time to connect with others, explore the trails, or find a quiet corner to journal. Optional Yoga at the pavilion after the early morning sessions will be guided by a certified yoga teacher. GMC Peace Leaders will be available to provide extra support as needed.

After checkout on the final day, there will be an optional group trip to Helen which is a short 15-minute drive from the retreat that all are welcome to join.

Schedule:

*This is a sample schedule and is subject to change*

Friday

3:00 pm – 4:00 pm: Check-in
4:00 pm – 5:30 pm: Welcome & Orientation
6:00 pm – 7:00 pm: Dinner
7:00 pm – 9:00 pm: Mandala Hall Opening Session (Candlelight)

Saturday

5:30 am – 7:00 am: Morning Meditation
7:00 am – 7:30 am: (Optional) Guided Yoga
8:00 am – 9:00 am: Breakfast
9:30 am – 11:00 am: Morning Session (Meditation + Wisdom)
11:00 am – 12:00 pm: Free Time
12:00 pm – 1:00 pm: Lunch
2:00 pm – 3:00 pm: Team Building Activity/Hike
3:00 pm – 4:30 pm: Meditation Session
4:30 pm – 6:00 pm: Free Time
6:00 pm – 7:00 pm: Dinner
7:30 pm – 9:00 pm: Fireside Meditation and Chat

Sunday

5:30 am – 7:00 am: Morning Meditation
7:00 am – 7:30 am: (Optional) Guided Yoga
8:00 am – 9:00 am: Breakfast
9:00 am – 11:00 am: Closing Ceremony
11:00 am – 12:00 pm: Packing
12:00 pm – 1:00 pm: Lunch & Check-Out
1:00 pm – 5:00 pm: (Optional) Day Trip to Helen

For more information, contact Georgia Meditation Center at missbee@gmail.com.

Check out Elohee’s Guest Information FAQs here.

About the Leaders

Bee Intakanok

Bee Intakanok started the meditation community of Westerners alongside her brother at GMC in 2007 and has been the driving force that has created a strong community of spiritual friends dedicated to meditation practice and performing good deeds together.

Learn more about Bee Intakanok

Venerable Michael Viradhammo

In tandem with deepening his own spiritual practice, Venerable Michael co-writes books, runs candlelight meditation events and retreats, makes online resources, and travels the world with his monk brother, Venerable Nick, to make the wisdom of the monastery practical & accessible for the masses.

Learn more about Venerable Michael Viradhammo

Venerable Nick Santacitto

Previously a practicing psychotherapist, Venerable Nick merges the practicality of the mental health world with the depth of Buddhism. His YouTube videos and other content seek to help others on their journey to develop a spiritual life, heal their suffering, and live by their true nature.

Learn more about Venerable Nick Santacitto

Categories : Home, Meditation, Personal Development, Self-care, Yoga