We are thrilled to announce that in December 2021, the Hoffman Institute acquired a remarkable new retreat site and home for the Process in northern California. Located high on a ridge overlooking the northern end of the San Francisco Bay, just a few miles south of Petaluma, this 193-acre scenic property is truly amazing.
Background
Originally developed in the 1980s by World College West as its campus, the property was acquired some 20 years ago by the Institute of Noetic Sciences (IONS) and operated as its campus and retreat center. Shortly after losing our 45-acre Napa Valley retreat site (White Sulphur Springs) to wildfire on September 27, 2020, we were able to begin renting this retreat center from IONS, where we have conducted the Process continuously since mid-February 2021.
In the spring of 2022, IONS decided to focus more fully on its research mission and decided it no longer needed the retreat site that had been so lovingly stewarded for over two decades. Meanwhile, Hoffman’s mission absolutely requires a highly functioning retreat site. It seemed that fate brought us together. In the spirit of mutual empowerment, we were able to negotiate an agreeable price.
Owing to the generous donations of several Hoffman graduates, plus a bank loan, we were able to fund this acquisition. Rather than rebuilding at White Sulphur Springs in Napa, which would take 4 to 5 years, we will sell that property to help pay down the bank loan.
An important aspect of our new location will be for Hoffman to carry on IONS’ exemplary stewardship of the land, which is home to families of California mule deer, flocks of wild turkeys, and groves of Coastal Oaks.
The Hoffman Institute continues to operate uninterrupted, with expanded facilities to serve more and more people.
For the past year, Hoffman has been growing strongly. In 2022 we will present 48 Hoffman Processes! Future planning for our new home will focus on remodeling some dormitories and constructing new ones so we can eventually conduct two Hoffman Processes simultaneously at this site.
We thank all Hoffman graduates and participants for your incredible participation, sharing, and support. You are the Silver Lining!