Campus description

A bit of the Himalayas in the Blue Ridge Mountains

Set in the majestic Blue Ridge Mountains, the Center offers an experience of meditation and natural beauty coupled with comfortable lodging and facilities. It is located just three miles from the scenic Blue Ridge Parkway and a short distance from Boone, North Carolina, home to Appalachian State University. The ICMWB covers 381 acres of forested mountains, with the main retreat facility set on the mountaintop.

            The halls display architecture designed to uplift the spirit and turn it towards reflection. The main meditation hall holds up to 3,000 people for large events and retreats. The smaller, hillside meditation hall accommodates smaller groups, and three other halls and a yoga studio also host workshops and gatherings.

            The main dining hall measures 41,000 sq. ft and is built to offer superb views of the mountains and sunrise. Seventeen residential buildings house course participants and permanent residents. The residences feature everything from simple rooms to apartments with kitchenettes. The only common factor is the view and the silence.

            Nature grows abundant on this mountain, so each outdoor walk gives a chance to experience the natural environment. The center is also home to many types of creatures, including deer and varieties of birds.