It’s that time of year when we make plans for the warmer months. Applications for spring and summer events are already coming in, so it would be wise to consider applying now to ensure you’ll have a place. See the Calendar for a complete listing of in-person and online events. 

Staff welcome extra help from volunteers, especially in the spring. Volunteers who make arrangements to stay a few days or longer receive room and food in return, But volunteering doesn’t necessarily mean having to stay overnight. It’s great if you live locally and would like to volunteer on a more informal basis when it works with your schedule. Please contact the Center at info@springwatercenter.org for more information. 

Neighboring property for sale. The house, barn and land at 7151 and 7152 Mill Street Ext will soon be on the market. This neighboring property has two ponds and is adjacent to the Center’s land, coming close to the stream. The house is on the left side of the road as you approach our driveway, and the barn is on the right. The house is shown in the photo below. It would be most desirable to have a friend of the Center as our new neighbor. If you are interested, please contact Audrey Griffin at audd59@gmail.com for more information.

Although it’s always possible to send questions to the Center’s teachers/facilitators, it’s only twice a year that as many of them as possible come together online to look at questions together. The first online Teaching Committee meeting of 2025 takes place this Saturday. 

If you have a question or issue relevant to understanding the Center’s work of meditative inquiry, please email it to: info@springwatercenter.org with the subject “Submission for Teaching Committee Meeting.” 

The program takes place from 1:30 pm – 4:30 pm (Eastern Daylight Time).

It begins with 25 minutes of sitting, followed by a short break, then a one hour and fifteen minute dialogue among the teachers, in which they will look into questions they have received. Another break follows, and then an hour-long dialogue involving the teachers plus online participants. 

Zoom Access for this event:

DIRECT LINK or
Zoom.us Meeting ID: 289 037 6188, Passcode: 7179 
Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kdsftvqRwr

The next Teaching Committee meeting won’t take place until November 1st, so if you have a question or issue for the committee, now is the time to send it in and take part in the meeting. 

Teaching Committee meetings are donation-based events. To contribute in support, a donation of $10 per attendance is suggested. Please use the button below to donate, and choose the “Online Sittings/Programs” option. Your generosity helps keep online programs available for all to attend.
Thank you.

In April 1985 the Center held the first retreat in its far-from-finished new facility here in Springwater. It feels appropriate that Stew, who has been involved with the Center since its inception, and doing meditative work since the early 1970’s, should be holding events this anniversary month. The facility may be finished now, but what we call the work of meditative inquiry is never-ending. 

In a talk from last October’s retreat, Stew spoke of meeting with Toni Packer at the Rochester Zen Center as she began what she later called meditative inquiry. Stew recalls that there was an interest in looking together at what is here, what’s coming up, what’s binding us, whatever it may be—fears, relationships, challenges—an openness to look, and wonder. Use this link to listen to the talk. 

In the opening talk of the same retreat, Stew spoke of the preciousness of having a retreat center and of being in retreat, with its possibility of a sense of love emerging, of no separation.
Listen to the talk here. (Note: the hybrid dialogues Stew mentions will not take place in this April’s retreat, which is in-person only, though members may access the talks. See below.) 

Center members, please note that a day before these programs begin, the online coordinator will email you with links to access Stew’s talk live, online or listen to the recorded talk. This is a new benefit of membership. 

Please apply soon if you wish to attend this popular event. Stew will give a morning talk and take part in the afternoon group dialogue, where he can respond to questions you may have about the Center’s meditative work. Staff will serve a delicious vegetarian lunch and refreshments at the end of the day. The schedule allows ample time to explore the Center’s walking trails through woods and by the stream’s ravine.  See more information about All-Days, including the schedule.  Please use the button below to register. 

If you wish to stay as a guest the night before or after the All-Day, please email reception at info@springwatercenter.org  for availability, as guest space is limited, then fill in this Guest Stay Request. 

Early spring is one of the most beautiful times of year to be at the Center. Birds and opening buds abound, the earth is springing to life and all nature seems to be giving energy to the work of meditative inquiry.

This retreat is beginning to fill, so please apply soon if you wish to attend. Stew will give talks, be available for private meetings. and take part in the daily group dialogue. 

Please use the button below to register. 

info@springwatercenter.org   www.springwatercenter.org