Regular Community Events

Mr. J.G. Bennett

There will be a gathering on Friday Dec 13, 2019 to commemorate the 45^th anniversary of the death of John G. Bennett.

The commemoration will be at the Mansion starting at 7:30 pm.   Details are still being worked out but will include music,  a sitting,  listening to a talk by Mr. Bennett, and sharing of stories by folks who were on a Sherborne course.

Light refreshments will be served.

Claymont Society for Continuous Education

Working with Movements and the Enneagram,
March 6-8, 2020

We are pleased to announce our first Work Weekend of the decade

The Enneagram symbol stands at the heart of the Gurdjieff Teaching and yet in his writings Gurdjieff said very little about it. Much of what others have written on the subject since his death, while often engaging, suffers from seeing this remarkable symbol as a way of knowing rather than an activation of typically disengaged aspects of our being. We have been left to ourselves to discover its potency and its application through contemplation of the symbol itself and the internalization of its intelligence through the other activities he left us, such as the Movements and the structure of various kinds of group work. From the classroom to the kitchen to the Movements Hall we will use study, inner exercises, and active participation to help us understand how we can engage this symbol to help us live intelligently in more than one world.

Activities for the weekend will include guided sittings and explorations, movements, practical work, and inner sharing.   You are cordially invited to join us in our work and exploration.

The weekend will begin with dinner at 6:30 pm on Friday March 6 and end after lunch on Sunday March 8.   All activities will be at the Mansion.

Suggested donation for the weekend is $120 if you are staying overnight at Claymont and $75 if you are not staying overnight.   However, do not let the cost prevent you from coming, financial assistance is available.

For more information and to register please contact, the registrar, Amy Silver at  Claymontgathering@hotmail.com

UPDATE:

In an effort to make the Higher Moving Center seminar at Claymont as affordable as possible, we are rolling back the fee to what was charged last year – $450 if paid before March 31 and $495 afterward.   As you might imagine, DuVersity barely breaks even on these seminars, but we think it is important to keep the fees as low as possible for people.  Please sign up before March 31 for the lower fee.

Here is a link to a short video of Anthony Blake talking about the seminar:

https://www.dropbox.com/s/vfp5k0iy65x4elc/HMCvideo.mp4?dl=0

This is the third in a series of seminars devoted to exploring the movements and potential of the moving centre as indicated by Gurdjieff.

Download PDF Version of this Event Info

Movements explore the ‘hidden depths’ of the body and the pivotal role of action in realising who we are. The primary thing in this is movement and not consciousness (which is a secondary phenomenon). We will use Gurdjieff movements to reflect the inner reality to us.
In this event we will take as a centre of gravity the Gurdjieff movement known as The Great Prayer. Various dimensions will come into play, including aspects of sensation and feeling elicited by the methods of Moshe Feldenkrais as well as a understanding of the gestural language it manifests as a manifestation of death and resurrection.

Work on movements will be bracketed by music, poetry, art, visualisation, virtual reality and even algebra. We will begin with the movement of babies and may end with our prayers and the discovery of ourselves on the world stage. A great deal depends on our imagination!

Many contributors will be involved. Here is the line up as it stands now in January (it may evolve further).

Curt Golden: Guitarist. Senior member of Robert Fripp’s Guitar Craft

Lavinia Plonka: Feldenkrais instructor and movements teacher

Molly Forde: Pianist and movements teacher

Darlene Franz: Classical oboist and pianist

Steven Rhodes: Researcher in the spontaneous development of movement in babies

Mattias Ribbing: Grandmaster of memory

Jason Joslyn: Developer of Virtual Reality systems

Michael White: Travelogue writer and poet

Leslie Schwing: Artist

Travis Jarrell: Dancer

Anthony Blake: Philosopher and writer. Head of research for the DuVersity

This is a participatory seminar based on Gurdjieff’s principle of the harmonious development of the Thinking, Feeling and Moving centres. Gurdjieff spoke of higher centres of thinking and feeling and we seek to complete the trinity. This is supported by the belief that over the last few thousand years, the felt centre of gravity of intelligence was first intellectual and then in the heart but, in our time, it is moving into the body. What the ‘body’ really is, is mysterious. It may be the closest thing to will.

Dates:  May 7-10, 2020.  The seminar will begin with dinner on Thursday evening and end with lunch on Sunday.

Location:         The Claymont Society for Continuous Education

Charles Town, WV  25414

(See www.society.claymont.org for more information about the Claymont Society)

The cost of the event including lodging and meals is $545.  ($495 if registered and paid before March 15, 2020.)

All events will be at the Historic Claymont Mansion

For more information and to register:

Please contact Matt Zenkowich – mattzenkowich@gmail.com

UPDATE:

In an effort to make the Higher Moving Center seminar at Claymont as affordable as possible, we are rolling back the fee to what was charged last year – $450 if paid before March 31 and $495 afterward.   As you might imagine, DuVersity barely breaks even on these seminars, but we think it is important to keep the fees as low as possible for people.  Please sign up before March 31 for the lower fee.

Here is a link to a short video of Anthony Blake talking about the seminar:

https://www.dropbox.com/s/vfp5k0iy65x4elc/HMCvideo.mp4?dl=0

This is the third in a series of seminars devoted to exploring the movements and potential of the moving centre as indicated by Gurdjieff.

Download PDF Version of this Event Info

Movements explore the ‘hidden depths’ of the body and the pivotal role of action in realising who we are. The primary thing in this is movement and not consciousness (which is a secondary phenomenon). We will use Gurdjieff movements to reflect the inner reality to us.
In this event we will take as a centre of gravity the Gurdjieff movement known as The Great Prayer. Various dimensions will come into play, including aspects of sensation and feeling elicited by the methods of Moshe Feldenkrais as well as a understanding of the gestural language it manifests as a manifestation of death and resurrection.

Work on movements will be bracketed by music, poetry, art, visualisation, virtual reality and even algebra. We will begin with the movement of babies and may end with our prayers and the discovery of ourselves on the world stage. A great deal depends on our imagination!

Many contributors will be involved. Here is the line up as it stands now in January (it may evolve further).

Curt Golden: Guitarist. Senior member of Robert Fripp’s Guitar Craft

Lavinia Plonka: Feldenkrais instructor and movements teacher

Molly Forde: Pianist and movements teacher

Darlene Franz: Classical oboist and pianist

Steven Rhodes: Researcher in the spontaneous development of movement in babies

Mattias Ribbing: Grandmaster of memory

Jason Joslyn: Developer of Virtual Reality systems

Michael White: Travelogue writer and poet

Leslie Schwing: Artist

Travis Jarrell: Dancer

Anthony Blake: Philosopher and writer. Head of research for the DuVersity

This is a participatory seminar based on Gurdjieff’s principle of the harmonious development of the Thinking, Feeling and Moving centres. Gurdjieff spoke of higher centres of thinking and feeling and we seek to complete the trinity. This is supported by the belief that over the last few thousand years, the felt centre of gravity of intelligence was first intellectual and then in the heart but, in our time, it is moving into the body. What the ‘body’ really is, is mysterious. It may be the closest thing to will.

Dates:  May 7-10, 2020.  The seminar will begin with dinner on Thursday evening and end with lunch on Sunday.

Location:         The Claymont Society for Continuous Education

Charles Town, WV  25414

(See www.society.claymont.org for more information about the Claymont Society)

The cost of the event including lodging and meals is $545.  ($495 if registered and paid before March 15, 2020.)

All events will be at the Historic Claymont Mansion

For more information and to register:

Please contact Matt Zenkowich – mattzenkowich@gmail.com

Summer Seminar 2021:  The Alchemy of Inner Work – Opening to the Sacred

Humans live at the intersection of the physical and spiritual worlds. Through our inner work we can transform energies and open to the stillness of the sacred. By doing so we enhance the connection between worlds and allow the higher influences to enter into our world. In this time of crisis, the world is in particular need of higher energies that only conscious human efforts can provide. Unlike many things in life, inner work does not happen automatically; an intention on our part is needed. Often that starts with the intention to let go, relax, and allow something higher to enter. As long as we are “full of ourselves” there is no space for something else to enter. Spiritual work is not a solitary endeavor. We engage with other people and realize that the sacred within each of us is common to all. There is not “my work” or “your work”. There is only “The Work”, and that is what we strive to align with.

Explorations of the seminar will include:

• Investigating how the intersection of sensation and relaxed three-centered awareness can bring us to relaxed inner stillness.

• Examining how Gurdjieff’s Law of Three operates in the alchemy of transformation with Grace entering as the reconciling force.

• Opening to the higher emotions of Wish, Hope, Faith, Acceptance and Love.

Activities for the weekend will also include guided sittings and explorations, movements, practical work, and inner sharing. You are cordially invited to join us in our work and exploration.

The seminar will begin with dinner at 6:30 pm on Wednesday July 21 and end after lunch on Sunday July 25.

Suggested donation for the seminar is $340 if you are staying overnight at Claymont and $220 if you are not staying overnight.
However, do not let the cost prevent you from coming, financial assistance is available.

For more information and to register please contact, the registrar, Amy Silver at Claymontgathering@hotmail.com.

Jesus Christ, Through the Lens of the Jesus Prayer

April 29-May 1st, 2022

In the first of a series of work weekends about the Five Prophets, Claymont is offering a weekend: “Jesus Christ, Through the Lens of The Jesus Prayer.”

The program will be led by Georgia DuBose, an Episcopal priest who first began working with The Jesus Prayer, or Prayer of the Heart, when she was 16; Georgia was encouraged to explore it further by Pierre Elliot.

James Farrelly, a writer and former educator, will collaborate with Georgia. James has also had a long history of work with The Jesus Prayer. Both will share their understanding of the prayer, inviting participants to share theirs as they wish.

This event will begin a process whereby participants work to connect or reconnect with the living streams of spiritual traditions that have nurtured the very foundation of The Claymont Society. In subsequent cycles, we will explore the practices / traditions handed down by the Holy Saints Moses, Mohammed, Buddha, and Llama.

For the first in the Series, we will focus on activities and practices during the weekend that will include work with Movements embodying The Jesus Prayer. There will be periods of silence and solitude, walking meditation, and some practical work.  Other experienced practitioners may join via Zoom or livestreaming. Participants are encouraged to minimize electronic communications during this event. This event may serve as an introduction to the prayer for those unfamiliar with it; participants who have worked with The Jesus Prayer before may find it useful to renew their work with a group.

You are cordially invited to join us in this work.  If you wish, please give us some indication of your years of experience with this practice and a short statement as to its personal benefits for you.

The seminar will begin with dinner at 6:30 pm on Friday April 29 and end after lunch on Sunday May 1.

Suggested donation for the event is $150 if you are staying at Claymont, and $100 if staying off-site.  However, do not let cost prevent you from attending as financial assistance is available.

For more information, and to register, please contact Amy Silver, Registrar, at Claymontgathering@hotmail.com

Summer Seminar 2022: Making Space for Grace

“When I know, I cannot speak.
When I can speak, I do not know”. 

           Rumi

Words used intentionally are indispensable. Automatic words – whether spoken, thought or even read – waste energy that might otherwise be used for our transformation. Mahesh Maharshi said we could judge our spiritual development by the degree to which we can stop our thoughts. So how developed are we? And Saint Augustine observed that before God can fill my cup, I must first empty it. How can we make such space? And especially how can we hold inner space open in life?

The more essence is part of our awareness, the fewer automatic words. We see this with practices we know such as relaxing and filling as preparation for morning exercise. Zikr can also interrupt formatory apparatus and bring positive emotion into awareness. Such activities can help bring essence into awareness, but can we live in a way that holds and enhances that awareness? Let’s try.

In memory of Bob Brown who spoke often of making space

The seminar will be led by Hardy Mason.  Hardy is a Mevlevi Sufi sheik and long-time student of the Fourth Way.

Practices to include zikr, Movements, practical work outside (weather permitting), turning, and adab (if the group seems ready).   In addition, the aim of conscious food preparation and preparation of the dining room in service to all who attend.

Ground Rules: No electronic devices.  In case of true emergencies, a telephone number will be provided where calls can be directed.  Intentional talking only, with a practical purpose and while sensing. The next activity after each meal will begin after the kitchen bashi says the kitchen and dining room are in good order.

The seminar will begin with dinner at 6:30 pm on Wednesday July 13 and end after lunch on Sunday July 17.   Suggested donation for the event is $340 if you are staying at Claymont, and $220 if staying off-site.  However, do not let cost prevent you from attending as financial assistance is available.

For more information, and to register, please contact Amy Silver, Registrar, at  Claymontgathering@hotmail.com

A time to enrich and sustain three-centered awareness within oneself and within the group.

The possibility that finer energies are generated as a result of conscious work together makes collective Work with the Gurdjieff Movements a beneficial endeavor for one and all. Conscious work in the kitchen and on the grounds will also be included.

Join us at the Great Barn, Claymont Society for Continuous Education

September 15-18, 2022

The event begins with dinner on Thursday, the 15th and ends on Sunday after lunch.

Suggested donation for the event is $250 if you are staying at Claymont, and $125 if staying off-site. However, do not let cost prevent you from attending, as financial assistance is available.

For more information, and to register, please contact Amy Silver, Registrar, at  claymontgathering@hotmail.com