Mountain Camp
An idyllic and accommodating place for joyful reunions, intensive retreats,
merry gatherings and more, for groups between 30 and 250 people.
"There is nothing but benefit in widening one's circle of
friends"
Hazrat Inayat Khan
The Mountain Retreat Center at the Abode
The Mountain Retreat Center is situated on our beautiful, pristine mountainside. The area is known to have been sacred to the Shaker community that once lived here and the Native Americans before them. Visitors can feel the presence of our honored ancestors as well as that of the ongoing inspired events currently taking place on the mountain.
Nestled in the woods are several huts especially suited for individual retreats.
While
the big tent (40' by 60', platform 50' by 60') marks one end of the
property, at the other end you will find the Mountain sanctuary. In
addition tothe big tent, there is also a tent on a smaller platform
available (20' by 40').
Kitchen and Meals
The
kitchen an exquisitely shaped wooden octagon. Groups may bring their
own cooks and staff or may contract with us for food services. Our usual
diet is organic vegetarian, however, your needs can be met by our experienced
staff.
.
The
dining area is an "eat-in-the rough" style roofed place surrounded
by a big open space. In addition, there is an 1500 square foot roofed
simple shed to be used as café and meeting room. There is always
a maintenance person on-site to help with emergencies.
Accommodations
The Mountain Retreat space is designed to enable gatherings in an intimate proximity with nature.
Over the years, an untold numbers of people have lovingly volunteered time and energy to create this extraordinary mountaintop. Trails meander through the woods leading to tent sites, cabins and small, cozy huts nestled in the woods. Sliding glass doors and skylights in the huts allow the boundaries between shelter and nature to merge.
The
Mountain Retreat Center can accommodate up to 250 people, 35 in two
cabins, 18 in 16 huts and up to 200 people in tents. Accommodations
are simple, but appropriate.
Quotes from our regular guests
"Every spring for the past 5 years I look forward to our time
on the mountain top site at the Abode. The big tent feels glorious as
the sun pours through the tall trees and the wind pushes gently at the
sides. We raise the tent flaps and we're in heaven. Graciously served
by the Abode staff, our training flows into the natural rhythm. We'll
keep coming back."
Bill Kauth, Human Development Associates (HDA), Inc. Warrior-Monk Training
Intensive
"Each year we sponsor a Sacred Circle Dance camp on the Mountain
for about one hundred people. The kitchen, which is an open octagon,
is adored by our cooks and, indeed, is one of the most popular gathering
places at the camp. The cabins and huts and tenting spaces allow for
a great amount of seren-ity and solitude in this very beautiful old
New England mountaintop forest. The huge main platform, covered by a
great, leaf-shadow dappled white canvas tent which opens to the green
forest on all sides if desired, is a very rare and special gathering
area. Here the spriteliest of circles and the deepest of medi-tations
is enhanced greatly by the intimacy with this forest whose history itself
(being the Holy Moun-tain of the Shakers) makes the mythos of the gathering
area very powerful for any group. Our commu-nity is hoping to return
to Holy Mountain every year through generations."
Shaker & Anja, Co-Directors, Touchstone Farm, Center of Sacred Dance
Location
The Abode of the Message is located in the Berkshire Mountains in New
Lebanon, NY, right on the border between New York and Massachusetts,
140 miles east of Boston and 140 north of New York City.
Contact us by email or by phone at 518-794-8095. We will be happy to answer all the questions you may have, arrange for a tour of the Mountain or dis-cuss in detail specific arrangements that you may wish.