Spring/Summer 2007 Retreats
A Quiet Day in the Quiet Garden
This retreat will launch Healing Ground’s participation in the Quiet Garden movement, a ministry of hospitality and prayer begun in England by the Rev Philip Roderick in 1992. It has grown to a network of quiet gardens around the world that offer space for prayer, silence, reflection and the appreciation of beauty; for learning about Christian life and spirituality; and for experiencing creativity and healing in the context of God’s love. Join us for a day of mindfulness, prayer and reflection in the quiet garden. We will end with a blessing of the space dedicated as The Quiet Garden at Healing Ground.
Led by Pat Bailey and Dee Irwin, co-directors of Healing Ground. Saturday, March 24, 2007, 10am-3pm in the Quiet Garden (labyrinth area). $35, includes lunch.
The Phoenix Factor: Rising From the Ashes
All of us harbor some form of ungrieved loss. Over time the wounds and
emotional pains that we have suffered throughout life can become toxic and
many people enter a “dark night of the soul” that is often marked by
despair, depression or a general sense of hopelessness. Recently, world
events have plunged us into a collective dark night of the soul as
terrorism, global warming, the dangers of fundamentalism, widespread poverty
and our failure to truly become global citizens have threatened our sense of
security and survival magnifying the personal angst felt by many. Deep
within us, however, is the Divine Light that cannot be extinguished.
Merton, Rohr, Nouwen, Palmer, Noe, Harvey and others remind us that the
descent into the dark night of the soul is a birthing place for
transformation, for the resurrection of the Divine Self, and for receiving
God’s grace. Join us as we explore these themes and their relation to
sacred service that can transform not only ourselves, but also the world.
Led by Dee Irwin, co-director of Healing Ground, enneagram teacher and faculty member in the Servant Leadership School of Greensboro. Friday, April 13, 2007, 6-9pm and Saturday, April 14, 2007, 9am-5pm in the Studio. $120, includes lunch on Saturday.
A Song for The Earth
Indigenous peoples have long lived in harmony with nature and have been good
stewards of the earth. The rest of the world is slowly waking up to the
danger to the planet’s ecological system caused by the population explosion,
the technological revolution, and our careless use of nature’s resources for
our own profit. The current environmental crisis requires bold action and a
commitment to make the necessary changes in our personal, corporate and
cultural lifestyles that will assure eco- and social-justice for all of the
earth’s inhabitants. Join us as we explore the work that is required of us
in the healing of our world.
Led by Dee Irwin and Pat Bailey. Saturday, May 5, 2007, 9am-4pm at Healing Ground. $45 for those registered for the Environmental Pilgrimage to the Pacific Northwest (see below); and $85 for others; includes lunch.
The Rose Ceremony
A day of mindfulness and remembrance…
In most cultures and spiritual traditions, there is a time, usually in the Spring — the time of rebirth and renewal — set aside to honor the role of the Mother. We are, at this time, mindful of our own mother, who brings us physically to life, of the Great Mother which is the Earth, and the Divine Mother as that energy manifests in the spiritual ancestresses from the various traditions — Rachel and Sarah, Mary, Kwan Yin, Sarasvati, Kali, and so on.
On May 6, we will gather in community to offer mindful gratitude and remembrance to our own Mother, our Mother the Earth, and the matriarchs of our own spiritual root tradition.
We will begin the day with Mindfulness Practices to call us to the Present Moment. We will then practice deep listening and sharing in community. Then we will come together inthe Rose Ceremony.
The Rose Ceremony is a ceremony of mindfulness and remembrance first offered by Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh in gratitude to his own mother. This simple, beautiful, and non-denominational ceremony allows us to offer gratitude and remembrance in a meaningful way within the embrace of collective community.
Our day will loosely follow this schedule:
9:30 a.m. Calling ourselves present in Silence and Meditation
10:30 a.m. Walking Meditation Outdoors (weather permitting)
11:30 a.m. Sharing/Tea Ceremony
12:30 p.m. Pot Luck Lunch in silence
1:30 p.m. Rose Ceremony
Please wear loose, comfortable clothing. Please bring a picture of your own mother and whatever other sacred object (small) you would like to contribute in remembrance of your spiritual ancestresses. Each person will be invited to reclaim their object as part of the ceremony. You are invited to bring a vegetarian pot luck dish to share.
The day will be guided by Diana Hawes, a long time student of Thich Nhat Hanh and an ordained member of the Order of Interbeings, the core community of lay practitioners teaching and supporting the tradition of Thich Nhat Hanh.
Sunday, May 6, 2007, 9:30 am-3 pm
Cost: Love offering for ongoing work of Healing Ground.
The Power of Drumming
Experience the fun and power of hand drumming in a beautiful country setting overlooking gardens and water. Drumming is known for its uplifting, healing effect on mind, body, and soul. The Power of Drumming is an energizing workshop presenting djembe (African hand drum) technique and traditional ensemble pieces, as well as structures for exploration to create your own rhythms. This workshop is for adults at all levels of drumming experience. Join the fun! Drums are provided.
Fire Circle, 7:30–9 p.m. For all young and old to dance and drum. You are welcome to bring a dinner to eat on the grounds.
Facilitator Betsy Bevan, MM, is a dynamic, engaging teacher with a passion for piano, composition, drumming, and painting. She believes that music is a birthright to all people and has been a mentor to both young and old in creative process. She has worked closely with musician David Darling and his Music for People organization, fostering creative expression through music. An experienced music educator, she has played and taught djembe for 10 years in NY and NC.
Saturday, June 2, 2007, Workshop from 3–6 p.m. Cost: Workshop $35.00
Fire Circle from 7:30-9 pm Cost: $5.00.
Environmental Pilgrimage to the Pacific Northwest: A journey for your soul’s sake and for the sake of the earth
June 23 to July 9, 2007
This year’s pilgrimage will take us to the Pacific Northwest with a focus on
caring for the environment. It will begin with a four-day retreat on
Whidbey Island at the Whidbey Institute with Fritz and Vivienne Hull where
we will discuss Thomas Berry’s writings on the environment and begin our
exploration of the stories of the people of the Pacific Northwest and their
tradition of caring for the environment and how their work informs our own
stewardship. The remainder of the pilgrimage will be on Vancouver Island
visiting Victoria, Tofino, Mears Island, Cathedral Park, Bowens Island and
Vancouver.
Space
is limited to 18 pilgrims.
Double occupancy (all inclusive) $2895
Double occupancy (without air) $2495
Single occupancy, add $400
Registrations received after March 15,
2007, add $200. Full payment due by
April 1, 2007. Your registration must be
accompanied by a $500 non-refundable
deposit and a copy of your passport.
Click here to get pilgrimage details.
The Suggested Love Offerings are just that—suggestions. We welcome you at any retreat for any amount you may wish to give. Scholarships are always available and we welcome barters or work exchanges if you would like to trade your time and talent for a retreat offering or a personal retreat. If you are financially blessed, you may want to sponsor someone who is blessed in other ways.
