Seven Homecomings: An Overnight Retreat

Led by Karen Ziegler

The Seven Homecomings is a contemplative practice developed by Buddhist minister and activist Lama Rod Owens. The practice provides an opportunity to breathe in the energy of deep care, and serves as a portal to ancestors, teachers, guides, lineages, and to the awakened consciousness of the earth. It is a way to remember one’s true identity and learn to be free in the midst of a radically unfree world so one can work to free others. The retreat leader is Karen Ziegler who has been a student of Lama Rod Owens since 2017. He has empowered her to teach and lead the Seven Homecomings practice. See bio attached.

Meals are provided for Friday supper, and Saturday breakfast and lunch. Fruits, snacks, and beverages will be available. Special attention will be paid to dietary needs. Overnight lodging options are:

• small, single rooms in a 6-person dormitory with two full, shared baths. 
• larger rooms with two double beds for an individual or a pair. Every two rooms share a full bath.

To see photos, visit https://avilacenter.org/lodging/

Pricing

• Single room, meals, and retreat: $150 
• Double room for an individual, meals, and retreat: $170
• Double room shared, meals, and retreat: $130

About the Retreat Leader, Karen Ziegler

Karen has been a student of Lama Rod Owens, the Buddhist teacher, author, and activist, since 2017. He developed the 7 Homecomings Practice and empowered Karen to teach it.  

Karen’s previous meditation teachers include Gurumayi Chidvilasandanda (for over 20 years), Adyashanti, and Insight Meditation teachers including Rodney Smith, Larry Rosenberg, and Spring Washam. Karen came out as a lesbian at age 19 and served as Senior Pastor of Metropolitan Community Church of New York (an LGBTQ church) from 1978-1988. She worked as a full-time AIDS activist for several years before moving to North Carolina in 1994. Since retiring from a second career as a nurse practitioner she has returned to activism and has been Lead Organizer for Democracy Out Loud since 2017.

Karen holds a Master of Divinity degree from Union Theological Seminary; a Doctor of Ministry degree from New York Theological Seminary, and; a Masters of Science in Nursing from Duke University School of Nursing.