Well, we needed a long title to encompass all that unfolded in the beautiful meadow beneath 14,000 ft Angel of Shavano and Tabeguache Peaks.
One truth about presence is its unpredictability. From the moose that visited us at the breakfast table to the ants in our pants throughout the three afternoon Yoga Nidra sessions….from the 1,188 smoky Om’s to Urgent Care and expensive Auto Repair…..from a flood of tears that began the week of vulnerability to the flood of tears that sent our worn-out habits down the South Fork of the Arkansas River….this year’s retreat was filled with surprises.
We found Shangri-La in a small stream. We unearthed fears from the beaver ponds. We found caring, loving mothers in each other’s faces…the teacher in ourselves. Everybody who tried out made the cheerleading squad! And you wouldn’t believe the choir that formed under the shelter in an evening rain. Chris led us in a call-and-response German lullaby inspired by Sky’s campfire songs and the ever songbird melodies of Arielle. Every surprise brought another opportunity to elevate and connect.
Lou, Daryl, Chris, Michael, and Sky joined us for the very first time; but I hope not the last. Daryl says she would come back just for the food “even though there was so much more”! Joan led us in The Grace of God meditation—her first teaching gig for us—helping us to birth a new sin culpa.
Bernadette guided the yogis through some Jin Shin Jyutsu holds that you will be experiencing at future retreats.
Lou’s agile mind, lively spirit, and 50-year Buddhist practice provided a continuous reminder of presence and knowledge.
Arielle sent us wandering toward one of the four directions to engage our destiny and allow our stories to rewrite themselves with the wise pen of the elements! QiGong in the meadow with Libby under welcome clouds brought earth to our heaven and heaven to our earth.
Kundalini Yoga Morning sadhana with Arielle, Libby, and me, starring the early-rising sun, the trickling creek, our prayers and practice—ahhh, I will always come back for that!
Thank you to my emotional support angels, Kelly and Joan. To Libby and Bernadette for landing the plane on all of the details that go into our retreats. Thanks to all of us participants for changing each other’s lives!
Sant Saroop Barb
