March 2 update: Today’s Sylva Herald newspaper reports that road construction has been pushed back a year because of the length of time it’s taking to complete property appraisals. Though this news does not affect us directly, it could also mean a delay in the displacement process, which could be days, weeks or even months away, depending on where we are in the state’s property acquisition queue that continues to progress in the background. Ultimately, we won’t know until we get official notification from the Department of Transportation. With this in mind, we are patiently awaiting news, and continuing our classes on our current schedule until we find out otherwise. Thanks for your patience!
February 3 update: Honestly, this update is pretty frank. And frankly, we have to be honest about our situation. There’s still no word from the state or when we’ll have to leave, but when it happens, it will happen quickly. But where do we go? We are still working hard to find another location for our center, but the challenges are significant.
We’ve been fortunate the past seven years. Our space is available to us at a very low cost, but the donations we receive are only a fraction of what it costs to rent a commercial property in western North Carolina, or just about anywhere else. We are not alone in this challenge. Other spiritual groups have faded away for this very reason.
Our center exists because of the generosity of people like you – those who make donations to help us meet our expenses, and those who have been kind enough to minimize our obligations so we can continue operating within our current means. The future of The Meditation Center is in your hands. The current available options are not ideal, but we’ll find a way to make it work, even if it means cutting back our schedule to an occasional basis.
We appreciate your help in manifesting the perfect space – not for The Meditation Center, but for you. How can you do this? (1) Send good energy to the situation, (2) Make donations on a regular basis, (3) Be creative in sharing your ideas for where to take this, and (4) Help us keep an eye out for dedicated space for us to meet – temporarily or permanently. Thank you for your support.
December 15 update: We are still awaiting notification from the NC Department of Transportation to find out when we will be expected to vacate our building. They must give us 30 days notice. Until they do, we will continue to announce our activities one month at a time, with the understanding that things could change quickly at any time. It’s coming – we just don’t know when. We’ll keep you posted on our progress!
Original post October 2: We have gotten a lot of questions lately about the status of the building where we hold our classes and activities. As you know by now, the forthcoming road project will affect the property where The Meditation Center is located. Right now, it looks like we will be vacating the building by the end of the year. Wait! Don’t fret! This doesn’t mean the end of The Meditation Center. It’s just a doorway that is opening up to show us where our path will lead next.
As we walk through this door, we have an opportunity to find a new space that will better meet our needs. When will this happen? We still don’t know, but we’ll keep you posted. More importantly, this is an opportunity for you. What does that mean? Well, there are a number of answers:
- It’s an opportunity for you to help us find an ideal location (temporary or permanent). We appreciate your eyes and ears to help explore possibilities that we might not find on our own.
- It’s an opportunity for you to put into practice all of the things you have learned on your journey with us over the last seven years. Yes, it is change. Yes, it is uncertain. Yes, it is good, no matter where the journey leads!
- We can’t do this without you. Unless we find donated space for us to meet, a new location will likely mean higher expenses, which depends on your donations. Without your financial support, there is no Center.
Finally, this is a perfect time to express your ideas! What do you want The Meditation Center to be? The possibilities are endless if we work together as a community to make it happen!
Meanwhile, nothing is changing yet. We’re still here, and classes continue as normal until you hear otherwise. The items in our bookstore are on final clearance, so you still have an opportunity to get that special item you’ve had your eye on. All is well on East Main Street! Thanks for being part of our spiritual family!
Many blessings,
Randy and Mark