LAP Summer Gathering 2025 in California - Details

 

 Black Mountain Retreat Center, Cazadero California

We have a temple inside of us, we have the great sacred lodges within us and nobody needs, anybody else, to translate that truth for you.  That’s what, this gathering is about – is finding those places of sacredness within yourself. An understanding and an acceptance of self as the most magnificent Me.

This event is about discovering that and letting go of the mind that thinks that it knows you, that thinks that it is you.  We’re going to work on that roof chatter, we’re going to work on the sacred altars of our worthiness, our aesthetic feelings about this universe around us and it’s about feeling the Great Spirit inside of you. 

It's not about your beliefs, but rather to move more deeply into them even, into the essence of them, where they came from.  Belief eventually becomes part of the universal void where there is only one.  And remember that woman carries the sacred void.  That does not mean that man does not carry the void as well because they do.  We carry it differently.

Enter the specially prepared sacred space of the Cave of Mother Wisdom Dream Lodge. There, you'll experience a guided meditation, created by Lynn specifically for this teaching, which you can listen to with earbuds or from your phone. Immerse yourself in the beautiful energy and Lynn's voice.

This event is open to the public!  

Please join us for a spirit-filled, relaxing weekend at the Black Mountain Retreat Center, Cazadero California

 

THE PROGRAM

Each day, you will receive Shamanic Teachings, exercises and meditations to help you explore and experience the Shaman in you. We will create a beautiful sacred art project.

The Cave of Mother Wisdom, asks us to look at how we use our Power. Are we using our Power for Manifestation or are we caught in a cycle of Doubt and Discernment?

The mirror teaching contains several Sacred Wheels and the four directions. Consider that if everything in existence is your mirror … that, in kind, you are its mirror.

You will have an opportunity to experience the stone people. This teaching is about the transformative power of listening. 

Basic Schedule

A detailed event schedule will be provided in your registration packet upon arrival.

Day 1 - Thursday, June 5, 2025 - Pacific Time Zone

• Check in starts at 4:00 PM
• 5:30 PM Dinner.
• 7:00 PM Opening Session begins.
• 9:00 PM close circle.

Day 2 - Friday, June 6, 2025

• 8:00 AM breakfast.
• 9:00 AM Session begins.
• Noon Lunch.
• 1:15 PM Session continues.
• 5:30 PM Dinner
• 7:00 PM to 9:00 - Evening Session

Day 3 - Saturday, June 7, 2025

• 8:00 AM breakfast
• 9:00 AM Session begins.
• Noon Lunch.
• 1:15 PM Session continues.
• 5:30 PM Dinner
• 7:00 PM to 9:00 - Evening Session & Ceremony

Day 4 - Sunday, June 8, 2025

• 8:00 AM breakfast
• Relax and enjoy a walk around on a trail.
• Noon - lunch
• Depart

Transportation

 

If you are local, the easiest way to get there is by car.

Only Google Maps provides accurate directions to the retreat center. Please download the directions before you leave as cell service is spotty. 

The Coastal route is preferable. Please plan on arriving before dark.

The nearest airports to Cazadero is San Francisco International Airport (SFO) which is Two hours and 23 minutes away. Also Oakland International Airport (OAK) is Two hours and 15 minutes away. 

You can rent a car at the airport and drive to the Black Mountain Retreat Center.

Directions from San Francisco

Directions from Santa Rosa, CA

 

 The Event Venue

Breathe easy on the 450 acres of Black Mountain Retreat Center.  Located in the hills of West Sonoma County about 2 hours north of San Francisco or Berkeley. 

Black Mountain Retreat Center consists of a cluster of one-story buildings in the center of wooded valleys and open meadows, at around 1100 feet altitude. Rustic but very clean and comfortable, we have room for up to 125 people, although the place is just as welcoming for a small group of 12. Many groups have returned to stay with us year after year, drawn by the beautiful setting, great prices and friendly service.

Weather in June high is 77 degrees, low 51 degrees.  Keeping this in mind, bring the right shoes and clothing for the time of year you are joining us.

 

What to Bring

Temperatures normally ranging from high is 77 degrees, low 51 degrees during the day. Please have a light shawl or sweater for your shoulders. . We suggest you bring the following items:

• Power Deck Cards or Sacred Vision Oracle Cards
• Notebook and writing tools 
• Please note: If there are any additional items you need to bring, we will let you know by e-mail as we get closer to the event.

What NOT to Bring

Please leave valuables at home. No pets are allowed. Please do not tape record or photograph any of the sessions or ceremonies of the event. You may take personal photographs outside of the sessions, of course.

Fires are not allowed on site without a permit. Smoking is not permitted on site.  See details below.

Registration Notes

1. The event includes teachings, meditations, sacred art and ceremony.
2. Once you complete the registration form for the event, please pay a $200 deposit.  You will receive an invoice for the remaining balance. 
3. Tara House Lodging has 7 rooms to choose from. 1 room sleeps one person. The other 6 rooms sleeps a maximum of two people each.  You will share two bathrooms. There is a kitchen, living room and outdoor patio.
4. The Manzanita rooms are as follows with common use of restrooms, sinks & showers located across the hallway. 

• • Room #1a has three twin beds.
  • Room #1b has three twin beds.
  • Room #6 sleeps up to 9 people. 

1. Package 1 Tara House - Single Room includes, 3 nights lodging, dinner on Thursday, breakfast, lunch & dinner on Friday & Saturday, breakfast & lunch on Sunday & the event fee for $942.
2. Package 2 Tara House Double Room includes, includes, 3 nights lodging, dinner on Thursday, breakfast, lunch & dinner on Friday & Saturday, breakfast & lunch on Sunday & the event fee for $942 per person. 
3. Package 3 Manzanita Room #1a w/3 twin beds includes, 3 nights lodging, includes, 3 nights lodging, dinner on Thursday, breakfast, lunch & dinner on Friday & Saturday, breakfast & lunch on Sunday & the event fee for $820 per person. 
4. Package 4 Manzanita Room #1b w/3 twin beds includes, 3 nights lodging, ncludes, 3 nights lodging, dinner on Thursday, breakfast, lunch & dinner on Friday & Saturday, breakfast & lunch on Sunday & the event fee for $820 per person. 
5. Package 5 Manzanita Room #6 w/9 twin beds ncludes, 3 nights lodging, dinner on Thursday, breakfast, lunch & dinner on Friday & Saturday, breakfast & lunch on Sunday & the event fee for for $799 per person. 
6. The event ends Saturday night. Breakfast and lunch are included on Sunday.  After breakfast you can explore some of the trails or just relax before departing.
7. Black Mountain Retreat Center offers delicious, nutritious vegetarian meals with plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables. Beverages (tea, coffee) are always available, and fruit, bread, peanut butter and jam are set out in the dining room on arrival, departure and after dinner. A small refrigerator and microwave are provided for guests’ use. Food may NOT be taken to the dorms or Meeting rooms. This is to avoid insects and animals being attracted to those areas.
8. Please note: If you would like one meat dish a day (Thursday, Friday and Saturday) we will add $5.00 per day to your invoice for a total of $15.00.
9. There is on-site store selling items such as toiletries, flashlights, raincoats and stationery supplies, we suggest group members bring their own items when possible.
10. The final payment is due by 5/5/25. 
11.  Refund Policy: A refund will be issued if the request is received by May 4, 2025.  If a cancellation is needed, you will receive a refund minus $200.  
12. When filling out the registration form, there are mandatory fields on the registration page marked with an asterisk*. If you select “submit” at the end of the form and nothing happens, scroll up, using the scroll bar on the right side of the page. Any mandatory field that hasn’t been filled in will be highlighted. Complete each one, and then scroll down to the bottom and select “Submit.”   
13. Please observe the following guidelines for Black Mountain Retreat Center:

• Please be on time for all meals: Breakfast 8:00 AM, Lunch 12:00 PM, Dinner 5:30 PM.
• Sleeping room check-in time is at 4:00 pm and checkout is at 10:30 am.
• Quiet time is observed after 11:00 pm in all areas for the benefit of everyone living or staying at the retreat center. 
• Use of candles in any area is strictly prohibited. You may use "non flame" battery operated candles.
• $10.00 for each lost/missing key not returned.
• NO SMOKING: Black Mountain Retreat Center is a smoke free facility. Smoking is not permitted anywhere in the building or within 25 feet of the outside of the building. A designated outside smoking area is available.
• We request that any breakages or damage to BMRC property are promptly reported to a member of staff for inspection. This is for safety reasons as well as to assess the need for any repairs.
• If you need something for the dining hall, please ask the staff.  Guests are not allowed in the kitchen or pantry to collect items. 
  
• Prices include meals, we are unable to issue refund if you miss a meal.
• BMRC regrets they are unable to accommodate people with life-threatening allergies to peanuts or tree nuts, or with nightshade allergies. 
• Individuals following very specific diets, e.g. raw food, paleo or juice only, should bring their own extra foods and use dining-hall fridge for storage. Foods may not be stored in the sleeping areas.
• Please be sure to discuss options with us right away if you have questions about disabled access.
• Wireless internet access is available without charge, and we have high-speed internet. However, larger groups will need to be mindful of bandwidth limitations. Guests should not download or upload large files of any kind. 
• Cell-phone reception is very limited at our center, although Wi-Fi calling works for most service providers.
• Guests are most welcome to borrow books or magazines as long as they are returned before departure. The retail value of any missing items will be deducted from the group’s security deposit.
• The use of illegal or recreational drugs (including marijuana products, plant hallucinogens, etc) is not tolerated at BMRC, and those found in possession of or using drugs will be asked to leave the event immediately and possibly reported to law enforcement.
• The use of tobacco products is strictly prohibited at BMRC. Guests who wish to smoke are required to drive up to the main road (Fort Ross Rd) to do so, or to walk to a pre-designated smoking area on the driveway, and to fully extinguish butts and safely dispose of them in their car or in outdoor dumpsters
  (please do not use trashcans in our buildings).  
• BMRC is located in a high fire risk area. Candles, incense or fires of any kind are not allowed anywhere on the property or in the buildings without explicit permission of staff. Camp-fire (using BMRC fire-pit) by advance arrangement only, and may not be available year-round. Starter, kindling and fire-wood available for a charge.
• We regret that pets are not allowed at BMRC. Bona-fide service animals meeting ADA behavioral guidelines (ie under proper control at all times, no soiling, aggression etc) are always welcome, but we require prior notice thereof so that accommodation can be planned in a way that helps any guests with
  fur/hair allergies. Emotional support animals are not covered by ADA laws, and are not allowed. Please discuss any such issues ahead of time with the reservations staff.
• Guests are advised to not hike alone, off marked trails, or onto neighboring properties. BMRC accepts no responsibility for guests who lose their way and/or injure themselves while hiking.
• To keep BMRC as a beautiful and nurturing place, we ask that visitors have consideration towards other guests, staff and the environment and its inhabitants. We observe a policy of trying to avoid harming others, including not killing any form of wildlife, however small. Please report any rattle-snake sightings to
  a member of staff immediately.