Gay Spirit Visions

GSV 2026 Winter Meditation

January 16-18, 2026

The Mountain Retreat and Learning Center, Highlands NC

Keeping Our Joy (While the Dumpster Burns)

Convener: Snowdancer (Jim Becker)
SEE BELOW FOR REGISTRATION INFORMATION
Dear Brothers and Siblings,

Please join me for Gay Spirit Visions’ Winter Meditation gathering January 16-18, 2026, at The Mountain Retreat and Learning Center, Highlands, North Carolina. The Mountain is a magical place, and each season holds its own charms. For many, winter at The Mountain is about cozying up in The Lodge or in a cabin with our tribe and contemplating the stillness of the season.

For myself, since the 2024 election, I’ve been caught up in turmoil, confusion, anger, resentment, frustration, loathing, and any number of other emotions. There came a time when I had to change or I would go off the deep end.

For our 2026 Winter Meditation gathering, we will address the challenge of keeping our joy while all around us we find chaos or confusion. Thus, the title of our 2026 Winter Meditation gathering: Keeping Our Joy (While the Dumpster Burns)

There will be six sessions for the whole group interspersed with smaller breakout groups. The sessions will focus on:
Permission

Presence

Play

Pleasure

Power

Purpose

We will deepen into joy and pleasure for their own sake, but also because joy strengthens us for the generational work to liberate a society. And joy protects us from the slings and arrows of capitalism as it unleashes creative vision and problem-solving.

Won’t you join me and other seekers as we reconnect with our joy? I look forward to seeing you at The Mountain in January.

Warmly,
Snowdancer (Jim Becker)
GSV 2026 Winter Meditation Convener

3 Day/2 Night Package (Friday through Sunday)
All pricing is per person
Lodge or Duplex Cabin (double occupancy) $240 + tax
Single Occupancy (private room) $380 + tax
Bunkhouse $200 + tax
For All Rooms Add Required GSV Program Fee $35.00 per person

Scholarship Information and Application Deadline

Financial assistance in the form of scholarships is available. The financial assistance application submission deadline is Friday, January 2, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. ET. We hope that anyone who resonates with our mission and community, and who has the desire to attend, can join us at our gatherings. To that end we offer financial assistance through the Raven Wolfdancer Financial Assistance Fund. Please go to the Financial Assistance page on the Gay Spirit Visions website for more information and for a link to the GSV financial assistance application form. https://gayspiritvisions.org/financial_assistance/ Remember, the financial assistance application submission deadline is Friday, January 2, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. ET.

Registration

Registration for the GSV 2026 Winter Meditation gathering is now open. Please begin the registration process here: https://gayspiritvisions.org/.../winter.../winter-register/ All questions about registration should be directed to The Mountain – [email protected] – Phone: (828)-526-5838. Registration closes on Friday, January 2, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. ET.
Participants needing accessible accommodations are encouraged to register early.

Getting to The Mountain Retreat and Learning Center

The Mountain Retreat and Learning Center is located west of the town of Highlands, NC. For detailed driving information and transportation options, click here:
https://www.themountainrlc.org/directions/ Note: If your transportation plans include flying, the closest and easiest airport to fly in and out of is Asheville Regional Airport (AVL) located in Fletcher, NC, just south of Asheville, NC.

Please note that there are no public transportation options from AVL that service The Mountain Retreat and Learning Center. You may wish to consider rental car services at AVL. The drive from AVL to The Mountain is approximately 2 hours, or longer if you are not accustomed to mountain driving conditions.

Register Now!
https://gayspiritvisions.org/.../winter.../winter-register/