2011-09 Seattle, WA: Lighthouse-keepers' retreat
Table of contents
Dear all,
Our starting points
In our explorations of the Nature of Reality, we will be assuming that each of our views is valuable and informing, and that our shared experiences inspire and deepen our individual and communal experiences. By paying attention to these internal and group processes, we hope to discover portals to yet deeper experiences and tools for further exploration. While flexibility will be very important we will offer some different exercises for individual and group exploration.
Retreat format
In addition to individual time and space, we will encourage small groups to work together, and there will be at least two full group gatherings each day to share and process our experiences.
We've planned a series of short daily meditations, including some PaB oriented exercises, and these will be led by Storm. We also hope to incorporate dream circles, using the Stone, as Luci has suggested. And we will have time and space for large group sharings, including the ongoing creation of a group montage.
Despite this, there will still be flexibility in our schedule for as yet unanticipated insights as we accrue depth and richness over the week.
The retreat site, the Point Robinson Light Station and Lighthouse Keepers' Quarters (which is a park on Vashon Island near Seattle) offers pebbled beaches, wooded areas, and rather incredible vistas of sky, sea and bits of city with Mt Rainier and the Cascade mountain range in the background -- all for inspiration and personal and group exploration.
Facilities
The Lighthouse Keepers’ Quarters (LKQ) at Pt Robinson, Vashon Island, will be our home base. Its kitchens, sleeping quarters, wifi and cellphone access should meet our needs. However, if the weather and our interests suit, we have access to 7 acres or more of deep woods, including several old growth cedars and Douglas firs, a 25 minute car ride from the LKQ. This woodsy location with a spacious cabin could accommodate our group gatherings including lunch for a day if we as a group so choose.
We will have 2 or possibly 3 cars available for off-site sojourns, ice cream emergencies and Vashon craft shopping as desired.
We will have catered lunches and dinners prepared by a local caterer who specializes in local, very fresh food (mainly vegetarian); we will also have plenty of breakfast fixings and Maxine also hopes to provide a couple of pre-prepared home made desserts such as berry crumble and cheesecake. In addition we will have at least one dinner out, including a ferry ride. We also have the possibility of exploring the small island community of Vashon.
Dress will be casual, with various layers as the days may be cool, though warm in the sun; evenings will be cooling off; Sept weather is generally clear and becoming crisp. Vashon is a very relaxed place. Footwear for the beach might be tennis shoes, and these will also do for any walking in the woods. Restaurant wear may also be very casual; not much formality in this part of the world.
Deadlines
Signup: Aug 31 (necessary for planning)
Payment: Sep 10th
~ Maxine and Storm
Current list of attendees:
Maxine
Storm
Aphrodite
Susan
Lucinda
Note: The quarters allow 9 maximum for comfort and privacy