Outer Darkness, Inner Radiance
Residential Retreat at Turtle Haven Sanctuary and the Forest Hermitage: November 1 through 3, 2019
In the gateway time into Autumn’s darker days, join with a small circle of seekers, with each person essentially guiding their own journey with silence, rest and reflection. Sauca, or cleanliness, which invites purification is the first of the Niyamas in the Yoga Sutras. The Niyamas offer “inner rules of self care,” in the words of Julia Shaida in her online Yoga Sutra text. In a beautiful place in nature, away from our usual environment and tasks, and in collectively held silence, we have a precious opportunity to listen to what Rohit Mehta terms the Voice of Silence. When the body is refreshed from quiet and rest, and the mind drinks in the peace of stillness, we may receive the gift of connecting once again with our ourselves, rediscovering our inner True North Star.
This invitation into Sabbath time at Turtle Haven Sanctuary has been a dream in the making for years, and this is our first foray into bringing the dream into embodied form! We plan to continue along these lines in some regular rhythm.
All structured elements during the weekend are optional! See the options further down in this blog entry. You will choose what is right for your time of inwardness and renewal. Please feel free to be completely independent during your stay. Elizabeth will offer specific periods of silent meditation during the weekend, and the studio will also be open for individual silent practices. Participants will share the Forest Hermitage, a 10 minute walk from Turtle Haven, and the lovely space that is an Airbnb on our adjoining neighbour’s land, a 2 minute walk from Turtle Haven. Both have kitchens, though the more fully equipped is at the forest hermitage; you will prepare your own food during the retreat, other than kitcharee an Indian spiced rice and mung bean healing food prepared by Laura Smith and offered freely as lunch on Saturday.
TO BOOK SPACE, PLEASE CONTACT ME WITH HOUSING PREFERENCES. LINKS BELOW ARE FOR THE FOREST HERMITAGE, OR THE RIVER RETREAT (SEE BELOW) AND IF YOU ARE WILLING OR WANTING TO SHARE A SPACE, OR DESIRE A PRIVATE ROOM. TO LOOK AT THE FOREST HERMITAGE VISIT OUR WEBSITE: Turtle Haven Sanctuary
TO VIEW THE AIR B AND B LISTED RIVER RETREAT SPACE A 2 MINUTE WALK THROUGH THE FOREST AT JENNY AND DAVIDS, VISIT HERE:https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/29390181?adults=1&source_impression_id=p3_1569782569_DkMS5N%2BO8AMAw19v
Our time together will begin with an opening orientation in the Sanctuary, folllowed by a simple guided ceremony for all who wish to partake. We will have a Día de los Muertos altar respectfully echoing those of Mexican culture; given this annual tradition commemorating those who have passed, we will have a candlelit space for placing photographs, flowers, and small objects of remembrance and offering.
On Saturday late morning, Elizabeth will offer a participatory philosophy reflection circle, and a Yoga Nidra class. Yoga Nidra is a deeply relaxing and inward reclined meditation accessible to anyone who can lie on the floor with support.
On Saturday and Sunday, Laura Smith from the Ayurvedic Center, and friend of Turtle Haven, will offer optional individual healing treatments/bodywork sessions in Ch The cost for this work is additional to the basic cost for the weekend, and will be limited to six sessions, and thus six individuals. To sign up for these sessions, contact Laura at: blissbody204@yahoo.com
Here is a description of Laura’s work:
Deepen your retreat experience with an Abhyanga Nourishing Oil Massage
75 minutes: $85.00
Invite your soul to blossom with soothing touch. This traditional Ayurvedic massage masterfully envelops you in attentive, gentle support for your continuous unfolding. Warm herb-infused oils are massaged throughout the body to disarm an overactive nervous system, nourish the tissues with vital fluids, remove obstructions in the channels, and flush wastes from the system. Marmas points (junctions in the energy system) are stimulated to help regain balanced energy flow in the body. And finally the body is wiped down with warm towels leaving you feeling calm and cleansed. Please contact Laura for scheduling, and any other questions: blissbody204@yahoo.com
On Sunday, we will close the retreat at noon in the Sanctuary. At 1 pm, and lasting for about one hour, those who wish to partake in a ceremony collaboratively offered with Stillpoint at Beckside Spirituality Center may join into this celebration of our communion with Life, the Earth and all her creatures, offered by Martha O’Hehir from Colorado, who will be teaching at Stillpoint as we partake in our retreat here at Turtle Haven. Her offering centers on the work of Joanna Macy and the restoration of our knowing earth’s sacredness while rekindling a deep honoring and stewardship of the planet. The broad sense of the Mass is inspired by Teilhard DeChardin’s Mass on the World.
Cost: Sliding Fee $145 to $195 for the full program. Only Ayurvedic treatment with Laura is additional. Donations for Turtle Haven Sanctuary, and scholarships for those in need for its retreats or programs, or for Maher Ashram always gratefully received. Please send registration and check to: Elizabeth Kerwin 6551 Rutsatz Road Deming, WA 98244
