ShasTao Philosophical Hermitage

The Hermitage: Home of THE GOOD LIFE PROJECT

2010-10-04T21:52:00.000-07:00

THE GOOD LIFE PROJECT is the heart and soul of Shastao Philosophical Hermitage. THE GOOD LIFE PROJECT promotes a lifestyle that practices unplugging from The Man and achieving a radically sustainable, independent Good Life. THE GOOD LIFE PROJECT offers refuge for conscious seekers with a sincere interest in learning more about spirituality and sustainability.

THE GOOD LIFE PROJECT teaches skills to people who want to live ECO-LIVES--people that recognize that the relationship between ECOLOGY and ECONOMICS is the life-force of sustainability--and a way to achieve personal freedom.

Integrating the ancient Platonic ideal of The Good Life with contemporary sustainability, THE GOOD LIFE PROJECT seeks solutions to contemporary problems through offering hands-on experience in sustainable lifestyle practices in a conscious, spiritually enlivened environment.

Come Participate In:
* Organic Gardening
* Wildcrafting
* Composting
* Mindfulness Meditation
* Petro-free Transportation
* Kombucha Brewing
* Trash Reduction
* Sundrying
* Yoga
* Water Conservation Practices
* Raw Veganism
* Vegan Artisan Cheese and Yogurt Making
* Equine Care and Management
* Meditation
* Heating with Wood
* Community Sustainable Permaculture

"If you have a garden and a library, you have everything you need."
-Marcus Tullius Cicero

Staying at The Hermitage is a living experience of Cicero's ideal. The Hermitage Library contains literally thousands of titles in Eastern and Western philosophy, spirituality, self-help, transpersonal psychology and art. And, there are no shortage of opportunities for visitors to get their hands dirty helping in The Hermitage’s large, organic vegetable gardens or with the horses.

"The Good Life Project illuminates a path heretofore unrevealed leading us from the edge of oblivion to a sustainable life. Most fundamentally, it identifies concepts that can transform our dead consumer culture into a living post-consumer society."

- Carol Holst, editor of Get Satisfied: How Twenty People Like You Found the Satisfaction of Enough

The Hermitage: An Overview

2009-11-27T11:31:00.000-08:00

Thanks so much for your interest in ShasTao Philosophical Hermitage in Mount Shasta, CA. ShasTao is quite distinctive, specializing in serving conscious travelers with an interest in spirituality and sustainability. Home of THE GOOD LIFE PROJECT, The Hermitage offers an experience of staying in a large Library, surrounded by organic gardens and sustainable living practices. The Hermitage is particularly well suited to persons seeking quiet, reflective space. The proprietors both have Ph.D.s in Philosophy and are Integralists, interested in the fusion of Eastern and Western thought. The Hermitage is their home where, like contemporary mountain rishis, they practice hospitality to like-minded guests.

Guests are surrounded by books, musical instruments and an Old World ambiance that is softly blended with New Age sensibilities. All accommodations are by pre-arrangement and no walk-ins or same-day reservations are accepted. Likewise, the Hermitage does not accommodate children, pets and/or single-night reservations. We are, of course, a smoke-free environment. High speed internet cable connection is available for your laptop, if your needs require staying in touch. The Hermitage is open for reservations from March 1st through January 1st each year, reserving January and February exclusively for guests wishing to book a Residential Studio Retreat.

The Hermitage is highly committed to sustainable lifestyle. This being so, we ask our guests to be respectful of the environment and eco-system. We ask guests to be mindful of limiting water use and using only environmentally-friendly soaps and shampoos. We suggest that each guest enjoy brief showers in our pure Mount Shasta water. Further, we suggest that guests who are unaccustomed to Mount Shasta’s alpine climate bring a sweater and/or sweatshirt. We encourage guests to turn off lights and heat when leaving their rooms, in order to conserve global resources and practice social responsibility. You will feel as if you have stepped back in time as you snuggle into bed-sheets that have been line-dried in Summer’s fresh mountain air and sunshine...or sit by the wood-stove and read on a long Winter’s night!

The Hermitage's interest in new science positions it on the frontier of new paradigm technologies. Utilizing tachyon infra-systems to create the safe and peaceful space that our guests enjoy, the entire facility is protected by tachyon technologies that safeguard against noxious contemporary EMF/ELF frequencies. To directly experience tachyon, ask to take a test-ride on the tachyon cocoon while you are at the Hermitage!

We are pleased to announce that Melody Perdekis, LMT is currently offering massage at the Hermitage. If you would like to schedule a massage, let us know in advance so that we can make the arrangements. Massages are $90/hour...and Melody is truly phenomenal! The Hermitage also offers complimentary use of bicycles, massage tables, snowshoes, far infra-red sauna and/or yoga mats/equipment to our guests.

Breakfast consists of 100% organic, natural whole/living, vegetarian/vegan fare. Coffees and teas, as well, are organic, shade-grown and fair trade. We serve an evening living foods dessert...with engaging philosophical conversation...in the dining room area around 9:00 PM on most evenings.

The rate for single accommodation is $115./night, which includes breakfast and the evening living foods dessert. Double accommodations are $175./night, with the same provisions. Since the Hermitage only offers three guest-rooms, our cancellation policy is quite firm. Guests are responsible for all nights booked. We do not offer refunds due to weather.

If you feel that the Hermitage offers the kind of space that you are looking for, we are prepared to secure your reservation. We are not inclined to solicit “just anyone” as a potential guest for the Hermitage, but are more interested in “finding our tribe” and having them come home! 530-918-8420

"I’ve lived in this Hermitage
How long I don’t know
Deep and secret and
Without obstructions
Heaven and earth meet
Like box and cover."
--T’aego (1301-1382)

Xenophon Room

2009-11-27T11:18:00.000-08:00

Xenophon, a student of Socrates, is often cited as being the original horse whisperer, having advocated compassion for horses in his pivotal text, On Horsemanship. The Xenophon's library includes books for the equestrian and dressage enthusiast, as well as those focused on ancient Greek philosophy. This room has an intimate meditation corner and is decorated in a Taoist motif. It is upstairs with a private side-hall entrance and private bathroom.

2010 guests who chose the Xenophon room wrote:

"Thank you really doesn't cover the appreciation that we have for you and this special place! We look forward to spending more time with you here--learning and laughing, and sharing our legacies of Love."

Radhakhrishna Room

2009-11-27T10:15:00.001-08:00

Light, bright and cheerful describes this room! It is playfully decorated in a romantic, mythic decor. Oh so feminine! It's large tantric library makes it perfect for couples exploring new ideas about relationship. It's also the perfect haven for women traveling alone.

A beautiful Lipizzaner is right outside your window, reminiscent of the mythic unicorn. Bring her a carrot and she'll be your friend forever! This room is in a suite of rooms, on the downstairs level, with a private entrance, sauna, shared bathroom and art studio.

A 2010 guest commented on her stay in the Radhakhrishna Room:

"I want to thank you for providing such a warm and loving Bed and Breakfast which allows and encourages such deep spiritual growth."

The Bodhidharma Room

2009-11-26T23:46:00.000-08:00

This room is the essence of yin energies. It has a large transpersonal and spirituality library. The Zen motif is perfect for inner reflection, introspection and/or meditation. If you are looking for a quiet, inward seeking stay, this is your room.

The room is part of a suite of rooms, including an art studio, far infrared sauna, shared bathroom and private entrance. And, the horses are just outside your window!

A 2010 guest had this to say about her stay in the Bodhidharma Room:

"I'll be back! And, I'll send my friends, too. The Hermitage is a very, very special place."

And, she has been back...several times!