Sunday, November 25, 2018

Grace Arrives On A Cloud

These last few months have been a whirlwind. First, we had a ringside seat at the third largest fire in Colorado history, nearby mountains ablaze, emergency personnel on the ground, helicopters whirring overhead. A few weeks later, a hailstorm swept through our town, totaling cars, smashing glass, and pummeling enough homes to keep roofers and siding companies busy for months.

Then came very sweet visits with 15 family members in under three weeks, followed by a Sufi retreat. And I now move through the myriad planning details for a women’s winter solstice event I’ll be facilitating at a nearby hot springs. And all of this amid an already full life…and while humankind’s shadow side is being displayed all around us.

Yes, it has been a whirlwind, indeed. Fear, delight, anguish, love, despair, awe, angst, excitement, weariness, satisfaction. Each day finds me swept up by one of these emotions, often to be deposited soon into another. 

My task, of course, is to live it all while never losing that still point in the center. Or at least not losing it for long. Spiritual practice is not about sitting on a pew or meditation cushion. It is about living from that still point when all swirls rapidly, beautifully, or crazily within and around us. Because we’re all learning here, we do structure times to come back to center. We welcome, too, those moments when grace comes unbidden.

Such was the cloud I walked through this morning. It hadn’t been my plan to do so. It had seemed ages since I’d seen the vivid colors of dawn, and I had hoped to catch them today. As I dressed, though, it seemed darker outside than the clock said it should be. Sure enough, as I stepped off the porch, rime coated the bare branches of trees and the sky was leaden, only slightly lighter in the east than to the west.

As I reached the lake, all was shades of gray, and I could see only a few yards ahead of me. The rest was lost to cloud, a dense, gift~giving cloud. The hush was palpable, muffling by its presence the internal chatter that so often claims me. I walked forward nearly blind and, with vision and sound altered so, time stood still, if it existed at all. And I discovered anew and in a deeper way, that when we can’t see where we’re going, we can more fully be where we are. 

A dear friend recently shared a quote from author Gunilla Norris: “In the end, where we are going is where we already are—deep in the Heart that holds everything.” Yes. That was the experience given me by whirlwind and cloud. We ARE held deep in the Heart that holds everything. And that is something to give thanks for on this holiday weekend, one devoted to gratitude.

With gratitude overflowing,

Leia

If you'd like to learn more about the Winter Solstice Women's Retreat, click here.



                        

Thursday, November 15, 2018

Women's Retreat, Part II

Darkness & Light
A Winter Solstice Women's Retreat
at 
Joyful Journey Hot Springs
December 20th~~December 22nd

I'm so glad you've made it to this page, because it means you're considering attending the Solstice Retreat. I hope what you read here will grow your interest further and, if it feels right, lead you to take the leap to register. 

About the Retreat...While the schedule for Retreat events is still being finalized, the Retreat will begin at 5 p.m. Thursday, December 20th and end by 1:00 p.m. Saturday, December 22nd. The Winter Solstice occurs on Friday, the 21st just before 3:30 p.m., and the Moon will be at peak fullness on Saturday, the 22nd just before 11 a.m. Retreat activities will work with the combined power of these energies to assist you in clarifying where you've been, support you to release whatever has served its function, and ready you to leap into the future that awaits you, the one you will take an active part in creating. You'll receive additional Retreat details in early December.

About me...I am in my early sixties and have been a life~long seeker and spiritual traveler. I am fascinated by all things transformative, and my work as a group facilitator, spiritual mentor, psychotherapist and reiki master has enriched me in so very many ways. I maintain a vibrant spiritual practice and am committed to doing my own personal work, so that I can continue to grow into the fullness of my own being and authentically assist others in doing the same. In this retreat, it is my heartfelt intention to honor the unique beauty of each one of the dear souls who chooses to attend, and to offer steady support as you use the Retreat's offerings to continue the exquisite soulwork of moving forward on your own path to wholeness and a rich experience of living. 

About costs...The prices below cover: 
  • All Retreat activities, lovingly crafted to assist you in moving forward into all you can be; 
  • Lodging Thursday and Friday nights in lovely hotel rooms, yurts or your own RV, with robes and towels provided;
  • Breakfasts Friday and Saturday mornings, dinners Thursday and Friday nights, and snacks throughout. To keep costs as low as possible, I'm suggesting that we each bring something to contribute for Friday's lunch;
  • Use of a spacious and beautiful meeting room, outdoor labyrinth and fire pit throughout our Retreat;
  • Access to those magnificent hot pools for three full days~~all day Thursday, Friday and Saturday;
  • Breathtaking views of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, and access to the healing and rejuvenating magic of this sacred place.
The fees below do not cover optional spa treatments, which you would arrange with Joyful Journey directly. I've provided their website link below, but please wait to book treatments until you receive the final Retreat schedule. 

About accommodations...Joyful Journey has given us some great discounts for this Retreat. The eight options are:
  • Sweet and comfortable hotel room, single occupancy; 
  • Sweet and comfortable hotel room, double occupancy; 
  • A uniquely lovely yurt, single occupancy...a bit more cozily rustic, with a shared bathhouse and walks to and fro perfect for moongazing; 
  • A uniquely lovely yurt, double occupancy...cozily rustic also, and ditto on the shared bathhouse and those moonlit walks; 
  • A uniquely lovely yurt, triple occupancy...ditto on above;
  • A uniquely lovely yurt, quad occupancy...ditto;
  • RV with electric hookup, single occupancy
  • RV with electric hookup, double occupancy
Photos of hotel rooms and yurts can be found on the website linked below. Please note: While you're free to use the pools from open to close all three days, hotel and yurt check~in is at 4p.m., with check~out at 11 a.m.

Pricing inclusive of all Retreat activities, except Friday lunch and any spa treatments you choose to book on your own, is as follows:
  • Hotel, Single Occupancy: $501.30
  • Hotel, Double Occupancy: 421.77
  • Yurt, Single Occupancy: $472.90
  • Yurt, Double Occupancy: $392.35
  • Yurt, Triple Occupancy: $366.92
  • Yurt, Quad Occupancy: $354.21
  • RV with electric hookup, single occupancy: $370.00
  • RV with electric hookup, double occupancy: $337.87
Here is a link to Joyful Journey's website for additional info and to get a feel for what awaits you during Darkness & Light, A Winter Solstice Women's Retreat~~

Wow! That last line makes it sound like you've already signed up! Please ask your intuition to weigh in on the decision and, if it feels right, take the leap to register. If you choose to attend, I will do whatever I can to make it a safe, transformative and delightful experience.

To register, please email me at silvermountain@mac.com with your accommodation preference, and I will send you a payment link. Email me, too, if you would like further info. And please remember that REGISTRATION CLOSES ON DECEMBER 3RD, with space limited to 10~12 women, so don't delay!!!

Blessings!

Leia Marie
silvermountain@mac.com 

Wednesday, November 14, 2018

Women's Retreat, Part I


Darkness & Light
A Winter Solstice Women's Retreat
at 
Joyful Journey Hot Springs
December 20th~~December 22nd

The longest night of the year will be accompanied this time 'round by the moon in all the glory of her fullness. A perfect time for journeying, healing and deep transformation, with the experience gently enhanced by the magic of the Colorado's San Luis Valley and its sacred thermal springs.

Join us as we tap into the energies of this time and place. Together we will weave a vibrant and safe circle of support to integrate the gifts of what has been, surrender that which has served its purpose, and welcome all that longs to move through us and out into the world. Through guided meditation, cathartic sound and movement, individual reflection and group sharing, collage and, of course, moongazing and soaking in those magnificent healing waters, we will journey inward and come back to the world refreshed and renewed.

Please consider giving yourself the gift of this deeply transformative experience during this time of darkness and light. For more information, including pricing and accommodation options, click here: Women's Retreat, Part II

Registration closes on December 3rd. Space is limited, so take the leap soon! Contact Leia at silvermountain@mac.com to register and for additional information.

Blessings!

Leia Marie