The Path of Great Awakening
To a New Way of Being
October 23 - 26
Thursday 5:30pm - Sunday 2:00pm
with Caren Prentice
Alton Collins Retreat Center
Eagle Creek, Oregon
This weekend is for YOU!
It's your chance to join with other men who, like you, are trying to figure out what it means to be a 'man' in 2025.
The Path of Great Awakening is a retreat for men who want to WAKE UP out of the old paradigm, SHOW UP for what is actually happening, and help CREATE A NEW WAY OF BEING.
For this to happen you need to learn and then believe, deep down in your bones:
- There is nothing wrong with you.
- You are not what's wrong with the world.
- You are not alone.
The Path of Great Awakening is a retreat for men who are ready to learn how to own that!
You are needed to help create a new way of being.
You are needed to help figure out what isn't working and find another way that will allow you, and all men, to be authentic and real. You need to find your wholeness so you can help guide the way into the future.
- You recognize there has to be another way to do this but you don’t know what it is.
- You’re tired of the stereotype that says men can’t be vulnerable or emotional—as if you don’t have feelings that can be hurt.
- You’re expected to be tough, a rock, and hide any confusion or loneliness. But that just leaves you feeling like nobody really knows you—there’s so much you’ve hidden, even from yourself.
- You're being told by the world, "You're the problem." I'm here to tell you, YOU'RE NOT!
This retreat is about giving you the skills and the confidence to change.
It will show you how to use a new kind of compass to navigate these unknown waters—this unknown terrain—with clarity, wisdom and fearless authenticity. No more feeling confused, ashamed, guilty, or like you need to apologize for being a man.
A New Day. A New Way.
We’re in a moment—right now—where a new definition of strength is needed. A strength that:
- Includes compassion.
- Knows vulnerability is not weakness—it’s courage.
- Knows your power comes from being whole—not mean, reactive, or aggressive.
There is a part of the culture advocating for you to be the alpha male, the "bad boy." And another that wants you to be caring, vulnerable, intimate, and kind.
You don't have to feel:
- Trapped in the middle.
- That whatever you choose, you're still at fault, somehow.
There's another way.
There’s a quiet movement happening among men who are:
- BRAVE enough to question old beliefs.
- HUMBLE enough to admit the old way hasn't worked.
- WISE enough to start forging something new.
Wouldn’t you love to be free of someone else’s rules and expectations? To be able to live without shame or apology or feeling the need to hide who you really are?
- It begins by asking, Who am I becoming?
- It’s fulfilled by consciously choosing, Who do I want to be?
This retreat is about giving you the skills and wisdom to make that choice from open-hearted authentic awareness.
Meditation can teach you how!
Meditators look at the world differently.
We value things like wisdom, awareness, equanimity, kindness, being authentic with ourselves, mastering our mind and our emotions, and getting along better with the people in our lives. For eons meditators have been learning how to be:
- Authentic and kind.
- Vulnerable and strong.
- Compassionate and wise.
- But most of all, meditators learn how to be happy.
There’s a myth that meditation is just about sitting, watching your breath and quieting your thoughts.
But it isn't. The reality is this:
Meditation is a lifestyle.
And it’s as much about giving you the skills to live a wise
and happy life as it is about sitting to meditate.
There's often a misperception, a fear, that meditation will make you passive and unmanly. THIS IS NOT TRUE!
Meditation gives you courage, strength of mind, a fearless heart, and the wisdom to discern when to act and when not to act. There's nothing wimpy or passive here. If you want to create and forge a new way of being, the skills meditation gives you are essential.
This retreat, The Path of Great Awakening, will:
- Show you how to live without guilt, shame, anger, or blame.
- Help you find your wholeness and be the authentic you.
- Remind you who you really are.
- Invite you to decide what values and principles will guide your path forward.
- Help you discover what to do differently so you can be happier, and more content.
- Support you as you consciously and fearlessly choose: Who do I want to be?
The world as we knew it has imploded. It's gone. The question now is: What do you believe? Value? Care about? .... Who do you want to become?
You will leave knowing you are not what's wrong with the world.
You are part of what's possible!
I hope you can join us.
Meet Caren
Two years ago I led my first men's retreat. Even though I'd been meditating for over thirty years and teaching for close to twenty, ALL OF US—the fifteen men who were attending, and myself—were wondering how I was going to pull it off.
What was I, a woman, doing leading a men's retreat?
The answer became clear. I know meditation. These men wanted to learn how they could use meditation to feel better about themselves. I know how to do that. So I taught them what I know.
It was precious, real, authentic, freeing. We were all blown away by the willingness of these fifteen men to drop their defenses and allow themselves to be honest with themselves and each other.
They said it worked so well because I was a woman. Several said they'd never felt so loved and accepted and seen. At the end of the retreat they wanted more.
This is the more.
Meditation has taught me to stand unshaken in the crash of breaking worlds. My hope is to share that wisdom with all men who are willing to be different, to be more consicous and aware, to stop hiding, and help each other wake up, and show up, for a new way of being.
If this resonates with you, I would love to have you join us,
Caren
About Our Retreats
Escape for the Weekend
Escape to a beautiful secluded retreat center surrounded by giant firs and cedars. Leave the distractions of your daily life far, far away. Settle into a few precious days unencumbered by your 'everyday responsibilities' and let someone else cook the meals, plan the activities, and give you space to nurture your soul. Discover the transformative power of retreat. Especially this very special Men's retreat!
Make Connections
Throughout the weekend, there will be meditations, mantra, techniques, and activities to help you feel a deep connection with your Self and with other men. We are committed to creating a safe, non-judgmental, nurturing space where you will be appreciated and valued—just as you are.
Be Comfortable
It’s important to us that you are comfortable so we have lots of seating options for different body needs. You will have time for silence and reflection, relaxation and meditation, teaching and laughter, connection and discussion, yoga and music—with lots of breaks to enjoy chocolate, snacks, and the beautiful outdoors.
Be Well Nourished
You'll enjoy delicious meals made from scratch using fresh, local ingredients. The culinary team creates meals that bring joy and comfort in an atmosphere of connection. Dietary needs are respected and accomodated, so whether you're gluten free, vegan, or have food sensitivities, you'll be
Be Well Tended
Our mornings begin with either pranayama, gentle yoga suitable for all levels, energization exercises to wake up and balance your energy body, shaking exercises, or mantric sound chanting and movement. No matter your age, experience level or physical limitations, you will benefit while feeling tended and supported.
Become Wiser
You'll experience an affirming, nurturing, strengthening, and joyous retreat. Return to your life fortified with new awareness and new skills to help you be the wise, compassionate, strong, man the world, you want to be.
Meditation is not a religion.
Our retreats are not religious.
Meditation isn't about indoctrinating you into a belief system. If you have a religion it will make it more meaningful. If you don't, you don't need one.
Is it spiritual? For many of us it is. But there's room for everyone's version of spiritual because...
Meditation is about becoming aware of your own experience and deciding for yourself what works for you and what doesn't.
If it works do it.
If it doesn't, don't.
If you've never attended a retreat before, let me assure you we are a friendly, easy going group that is also introvert friendly. Meditation isn't exactly an extroverted activity, after all!
Our retreats are about healing ourselves. No blame. No shame. No victims. No apologies. They are about finding your unique wholeness so you can be:
- comfortable in your own skin,
- authentically and unapologetically you,
- free of guilt, shame and fear,
- happy and content.
Space is limited. Reserve your spot now!
Experienced Meditators encouraged.
Beginning Meditators welcome.
I hope you can join us!
Cancellation Policy
We know 'stuff' happens so here's our cancellation policy.
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- Cancel before June 1, receive a full refund.
- Cancel between June 1 and July 31, receive a 70% refund.
- Cancel between July 31 and September 15, receive a 50% refund.
- No refunds after September 15.
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If we have to cancel for any reason, you will receive a full refund.
Common Questions
I'm not sure I can do a three-day retreat. Are we gonna just sit around all day with our eyes closed? I'm a beginner. I can't sit that long.
Neither can I! We will be sitting in meditation but interspersed with periods of teaching and discussion and meals and breaks, and lots and lots of snacks. We aren't one of those meditation centers where you're expected to sit absolutely still and suck up the pain. Move when you need to move. Nobody notices or cares because everybody moves and coughs and goes to the bathroom whenever they feel like it. We're easy going but take our bodily comforts seriously.
I'm an introvert. The thought of having to 'make conversation' with strangers is gut-wrenching. Much better to stay home and stay safe!
I feel you. My husband is an introvert which has made me committed to providing an 'introvert safe' environment that is both welcoming and non-threatening. Alton Collins is a small secluded retreat center nestled in a beautiful patch of forest. There are hiking paths and plenty of spaces to retreat and be introspective. Just a heads up: most meditators are introverts and will feel safe and comfortable with you as you own your introverted-ness.
Are we going to be eating tasteless rabbit food? I might starve.
Good News!! For many of us, the food at Alton Collins is almost the best part of the whole experience. Not only will you get to let them know all about your food preferences, they will do everything they can to fulfill them. Each meal is like a feast! Healthy and yet so so delicious and flavorful. And there's always something sweet for dessert!
Will I have to talk about that stuff deep down that I never talk about with people I don't even know? That is a terrifying thought!
Yeah, once again, I feel you... and, we'll be learning two techniques that allow for deep life changing transformation. However, you don't need to talk about it. You will be receiving a journal and you are totally welcome to take notes on your experiences and keep them private. Once again, you are in total charge of your experience and how much you want to share.
How'm I gonna fit in if there's no sports to watch, video games to play, books to read, or golf?
Yeah, it's true you won't have the fun and safety of those kinds of connections, but you will discover a level of authenticity, acceptance, and honesty, with other men that is unique at Hamsa Meditation Center. There's something very comforting about being accepted and supported on levels you don't usually touch.
My mind won't settle down and I'm afraid I won't be able to meditate. I'll feel so out of place.
Everyone's mind will be racing around like monkeys chasing each other from tree to tree... at first. One of the beauties of retreats is that the group creates a field of 'energy/grace/wisdom' that helps everyone go deeper than they can on their own. It's quite magical how the power of the group helps your mind to settle.
I snore. I have no desire to share a room with someone who also snores, or worse, doesn't snore!
You don't have to share a room! You can have one all to yourself!!
I won't know anyone.
You don't need to know anyone. In fact, my favorite retreats are the ones where I don't know anyone. I can just be anonymous me and do my own thing. The beauty of retreats like this is that we do make connections with others but it all unfolds in a very natural organic way.
Dana - A Spiritual Practice
We do everything we can to keep the price of our retreats affordable. To this end we price retreats to reflect our direct costs without any additional cost for Caren’s time preparing and leading the teaching. At the close of the retreat you will have the opportunity to give Dana—a donation/love offering—directly to Caren for the teachings you received during the retreat. We'll send more info on the practice of Dana in your pre-retreat communications.
Registration Options
We’ve recently updated our pricing model to more accurately reflect our increased costs and have, by request, also created a Benefactor option. Donating to our scholarship fund gives financial support to other men so they can attend the retreat. We appreciate you!
Room rates listed below are per person and include three nights lodging with private bath, towels, linens and nine incredibly delicious meals.
Single Occupancy
PAYMENT PLAN
Single Occupancy
$1365
- $565 due at registration
- 2nd Payment: July 20 : $400
- 3rd Payment: Sept. 20 : $400
Double Occupancy
PAYMENT PLAN
Double Occupancy
$1095
- $465 due at registration
- 2nd Payment: July 20 : $315
- 3rd Payment: Sept. 20 : $315
Don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions, clarifications or inquiries.