To get to my studio where I am writing this, I walk out my back door and across a small deck, and into another small building.
I always pause and feel the fresh air on my face, look at the sky, notice the trees and the birds, and I am always, always buoyed with perspective, gratitude and love of the natural world.
Oh, it is so good to be alive.
Just a moment ago, walking across the deck, I was overcome with joy at the idea of hundreds of people preparing to retreat this weekend.
Maybe right at that very moment!
Jeweled souls in a connected heart web stretching around the globe – from Bainbridge Island to London to Little Rock to Israel curling around to New Zealand…
Oh, my heart beats faster just thinking about it!
(And if you are reading this and you are not partaking of the Virtual Retreat, I invite you to take a few minutes for a mini-retreat this weekend and tap into the love. You are part of the jeweled web, too. But of course!)
Some thoughts on what to do between Virtual Retreat Sessions:
I wrote about this a lot in the How to Retreat e-book that comes with the retreat (it’s in the members area – and your user name and password are in the confirmation email you received.)
And I wanted to add a few more things because I love to talk about this stuff (I wrote a book about it after all) and because I got this helpful email from Linda – whom I love (she’s attended several of my live retreats and gave me my favorite pair of earrings ever) and here it is:
I’m starting to get really excited about the virtual retreat! Mike’s being so supportive and encouraging: “Let’s get the house and your studio all organized and calmed so you can have a real retreat.” Gotta love that guy! So, I do have a few questions. (No surprise, I’m sure!)
For example, will you suggest ideas for possible activities that participants can to during the in-between-speakers time? Denise and I have talked about doing our vision (or dream) boards over some of the time.
And I have other thoughts such as working on writing projects–maybe even topic-related prompts–just to reinforce what we’re hearing. Another idea was to work on art projects just to stay in the zone rather than return to the mundane world during speaker-less times. Even a walk outside (for those of us without snow!) could serve to reinforce a thoughtful presence. You’ve probably already thought of all of this and covered it, but it’s been on my mind so I figured I’d share! Looking forward to spending time with you!
Thank you Linda for sharing a little bit about what you are up to and yes, I have some ideas in that e-book for what to do between sessions…
And the main thing I want to say about what to do between session is:
listen to and follow your healthy instincts, follow what you want
A retreat is about giving yourself the spaciousness to be, to check-in with you, to kindly find yourself where you are right now (my sessions throughout the retreat will help you do this) and that is true even if you simply listening into one session and taking an hour off for you afterward (and saving all the other sessions for some other retreat as you’ll have all those recordings and transcripts).
So yes, have lots of goodies and ideas on hand but know that you won’t get to many of them or you might dip into all of them, either way, it’s about listening. Being. Taking a finding yourself pause.
And here’s what I might to between session – just possibilities:
Ask myself often, “You are on retreat. What would you love to do now?”
Make notes after the sessions about my thoughts and insights
Move more slowly
Make a pot of soup slowly, smelling the aromas
A few restorative yoga poses – I like Yoga Nap as a guide
Art journaling – explore my intention question and holding the space for all of you in color and collage
Read Hafiz’s poetry slowly
Chant with iMantra my new I-phone App
Meditate for longer than usual
Listen to Amy Weintraub’s Yoga Nidra before bed
Put on wild music and dance, dance, dance
Sip tea and be
How are you going to weave and celebrate your retreat? Even if only a few moments here and there, a session or two?
We are all here to support each other on the blog all weekend!
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6 responses so far ↓
1 Diedra Jan 16, 2009
I’m so excited as I’m getting ready for tomorrow morning!
I just hope this lovely little winter storm moving towards Hawaii doesn’t knock our power out tonight! Even so, I’m prepared for it just in case. Lack of power isn’t going to make me miss this!!
I have everything from bubble baths, long naps, to a nice birthday dinner out Saturday evening with my husband. It’s going to be a great four days!
Thank you so much Jennifer for putting this together for us all. You’re amazing!!!
2 Rachel Jan 16, 2009
Jennifer, I love all those ideas! But most important, I like the idea of just going with intuition. I was thinking of making a plan of sorts for the calls I can attend, and then when I thought about it, I realized there was a high likely hood of me feeling guilty for not doing this or that, things that are meant to make me feel better, not worse!
So I think I will go with your method… to just see what I feel like doing in the moment.
I also wanted to say since I won’t get to listen in today, I listened to the comfort conversation with Oriah Mountain Dreamer, especially since in your combos you mentioned that was good for dealing with fear. I LOVED it, loved it. I got so much out of everything she said. Next time I listen, I think I will take notes on what she says. It was everything I needed to hear, both for my regular everyday fear-stuff, and even for my current, present-danger fears. Especially relevant, I felt, was what she said about our brains getting hijacked, w/ all the psychological war fare going on here. SO relevant and helpful.
I could gush here on and on about the things she said, so I’ll stop before I get carried away. But it was great. Loved it. Thank you.
3 Irmgard Jan 16, 2009
I intend to go with the flow. Lots of mini retreats. I started out with two hours walk in the countryside – snow, sun, silence and joy.
Now evening has fallen – I am looking forward to the first session – I am on a different time zone… in Europe.
4 Paula Jan 16, 2009
Loved the call this morning, even though I was overseeing some toddler stamping while I was on it. Now I have a rather inky child, but I will listen to the call again when I am on my own. I still got a lot out of being only partly focused on the call, especially to ask the question, “What do I really want?”
5 Sharon K. Moritz Jan 16, 2009
Woo hoo!! I am on RETREAT! I have been so looking forward to this. I have listened to your welcome to the retreat (after work today) and I feel so relaxed and welcomed by you Jen.
I have lit a chocolate candle to begin my retreat and now the scent is filling the room. Yum. I have an oversized chair here in my computer room and I am sitting in it as I listen to the recordings.
I am excited to listen to Steve Chandler next as I can use some money advice now with my finances the way they are after my husband has been laid off for 5 months during this last year.
Sharon
6 Andi Jan 31, 2009
Jen, I enjoyed being part of your inspirational virtual retreat. Appreciate all the thought and planning. I continue to be a big fan and enjoy your website. As I listened to Steve Chandler I was inspired to draw and create more Andi’s People designs. Please visit my website http://www.andispeople.com I would love to hear any comments from anyone! Namaste. Andi