Oh yes, shivers and thrills and fist pumping (hey, retreats aren’t all about being serious and sedate, not at all).
We are on retreat!
The first call is with me Getting Centered and Flowing in your Retreat invocation at 7 am Pacific, 10 am Eastern.
I’m holding each of you in my heart’s mind, my mind’s heart, as you delve into this time for self-reflection, learning and self-loving.
May your retreat be exactly what you need.
I’m going to post a couple of times a day about what’s happening and check back in often to read your comments so please use this space to help you create your retreat container, to feel supported, to get feedback.
You could even comment as a way to come in and out of retreat space, if that appeals to you – just to be witnessed.
Now off you go!
If ANYONE has any trouble finding their retreat details – or if they haven’t received their confirmation - email support@comfortretreats.com.
========================= 3PM (PST) UPDATE =========================
I’m just back from a walk in my beloved woods and I sang and danced and changed at the top of my lungs and the dogs cavorted and we sent all that energy to YOU and to Steve Chandler 
for a truly mind shifting mini-retreat on Overcoming Money Fears.
Some of my take-aways:
Wanting to please others or impress others keeps me stuck in fear; asking, “What do I want to create?” and “How can I be of service?” frees me. I could feel the shift in my body when Steve talked about this.
Most of us are waiting for the grown-ups to come home; be a grown up but not a responsible one (or whatever word shuts you down); Be a creative conscious wide awake grown-up.
Why not bring art and poetry to your money making and saving system?
Oh and so much more! (Steve’s audio is waiting for you if you missed listening in live in the member area)
Next we will check in with and learn about
Emergency Calming Techniques and Dissolving Procrastination
with Havi Brooks
I’m feeling the love vibe already!
Segueing from Havi will be
Deepening the Retreat and Noticing how Being on Retreat can Teach you about Uncertainty
Come join us for some retreat delights at 5pm Pacific / 8pm Eastern
If you wish add your voice to the comments – you will be inspired and held by everyone’s presence – what a wondrous group!
32 responses so far ↓
1 Anne Jan 16, 2009
Ok. So I took Solitaire off the dock. It went POOF as it was removed, and I was shocked at how scary it was to say I was giving this TIME MONSTER up for the retreat. I did not realize how tied into being able to zone out with it I had become!
2 Lori Jan 16, 2009
I just participated in the first session. Very nice! I can not listen to the second session at the time it is offered, how can I listen to it after it has occurred?
3 Jennifer Jan 16, 2009
Hi Lori!
All the audio sessions will be available in the members area – where you downloaded the e-book and extra conversations – about an hour afterwards – sometimes it may take us a bit longer to get them posted but we will do our best!
Anne, yeah for you getting that Solitaire off the dock for a few days — sitting with that fear may be very productive and enlightening. We are with you!
4 Suzane Jan 16, 2009
So, what really resonated with me with the first session is finding the way my body moves in retreat space. I was so struck by throwing my arms and legs out and using my space in confidence and how I don’t do that in ordinary time. I seem to apologize for the space that I take in this world. Wow! Big insight and runs very deep for me. So, I had to journal some and have lots of questions for myself–live with the questions, right? Hard for me. I want answers and I want them yesterday! I will sit with these questions during my retreat times, and any other ones that arise. This is such a key to confidence for me. So, I am already stunned by what has arisen for me, and so quickly, and I also feel so nurtured by Jen’s voice and the feeling of the others who are on this journey with me. Blessings to all of you in this retreat space this weekend!
5 Jennifer Jan 16, 2009
Suzanne, I swear, the body is always the fastest, richest way into insights… keep taking up space! And yes, me too on the “want answers now” so I’m with you in not knowing, breathing, bringing our selves back to our bodies (there that body is again) moment by moment… blessings to you as you throw your arms open!
6 Kathy , Ghent NY Jan 16, 2009
Jen – a beautiful start to the retreat. Thank you so much for helping me center and forget about the work, the worries, the rest and focus on me. I am sitting on our beautiful Sticks bench looking out at the catskill mountain view from my bedroom and have lit one of my favorite candles with a cedar smell as “my retreat position.” I don’t know if you know Sticks furniture but it is made with love out of wood, very colorful and has amazing sayings etched on it. This bench says “Plant Flowers. Follow Your Dreams. Seek Peace.” How perfect for a retreat seat. What do I want to do next? Be. Be present. Stay Connected. Go snowshoeing. Breathe. Love. Take a hot bath. Appreciate trees. Enjoy the view. Release. After the phone session ended I sat here for awhile appreciating the view. I took that hot bath. I breathed. I released imagining that all the steam rising from the bath were my worries….up up and away. At the beginning of the retreat I was trying furiously to get a match to light. It wouldn’t so I lef tthe sapce and got another to light the candle. After the bath I saw that old match. I almost threw it out but decided it was a symbol of me. Not inspired. hard to light. So I lit the match from the candle and it fired right up! I’m keeping that old match for the duration of the retreat to remind me what I need out of it to move forward. Yum. Thanks. AThis is great!
7 Jennifer Jan 16, 2009
Well, Judy alerted me that I made a mistake on the audio, in that I misread David Waggoner’s poem.
Ah, self-forgiveness as my first act of retreating!
Here is the actual text:
Lost
By David Waggoner
Stand still. The trees and bushes beside you Are not lost. Wherever you are is called Here,
And you must treat it as a powerful stranger,
Must ask permission to know it and be known.
The forest breathes. Listen. It answers,
I have made this place around you.
If you leave it, you may come back again, saying Here.
No two trees are the same to Raven.
No two branches are the same to Wren.
If what a tree or a bush does is lost on you,
You are surely lost. Stand still. The forest knows
Where you are. You must let it find you.
8 Carol M Jan 16, 2009
Very very powerful first session. And the weirdest thing… there I was at work, plugged into my bluetooth and cell, just *knowing* I’d get interrupted… but miracles of miracles… not one phone call, not one visit to my cube. There were two fire drill test announcements… right at the beginning of the session “CODE RED CODE RED”… and then at the end of the session “CODE GREEN CODE GREEN” – that will now be my “into” and “out of” retreat mode… “OK, I’m going into retreat now CODE RED CODE RED….. and now I’m re-entering the world CODE GREEN CODE GREEN” heheh It felt like… I’m entering retreat with my heart (Red… get it?) and re-entering the world (Green… peace, calm, centered, connected) – it works for me
The call ends, and immediately my phone rang and when the person on the other end of the phone asked how I was, I said I was “doing very well” (and I *meant* it)… and I asked her how *she* was… and I sent out those heart vibes (did Jen say “donuts” or am I just hungry?) and listened to her response and was *there*… and still am. Thank you all for sharing that moment! Virtual Hugs all around for anyone who wants on!
9 Jennifer Jan 16, 2009
Carol, I did say donuts! The heart torus is a donut shape – donuts of the heart. I love your story and that you have found a coded way in and out of retreat! YEAH!
10 Jennifer Jan 16, 2009
Kathy, the scene you painted is lovely and I especially love the symbolism you bestowed on the match.. I can see you writing about or having a conversation with that match – what gifts does it have? what does it need from you? what are you willing to give it?
11 Julie Jordan Scott Jan 16, 2009
Ahhh. Two “leaving behinds”…… mindlessness… mindless activity, tickety tackety through mindless dribble of life, giving my power over to others (mindlessly) by tangling my energy up with their energy….and I am also devoted to leaving behind my attachment to cluttered counters and edges. Going to let go of that stuff in retreat containers within this retreat container.
I am devoted, devoted, devoted to the time at this retreat – even and especially as I am living a very full calendar this weekend…. I love that when I sat down to eat breakfast after the first session and then do a short bit of reading, these words from Mary Oliver rested on the page, waiting for my mindFULattention:
“In this universe we are given two gifts: the ability to love and the ability to ask questions.”
Thank you, Jen. Enjoyed hearing your voice this morning.
12 Gayatri Jan 16, 2009
Leaving behind… doubt, self-doubt, negative thinking… oh and it felt so good to clear the space… in a self-forgiving, compassionate way.
13 Kara Jan 16, 2009
Thank you Jennifer for the wonderful retreat opening. It was exactly what I needed. It allowed me to soften. I was feeling a little bummed that I won’t be able to be “live” for much of the next four days. Yet the opening gave me peace around that. I’ll piece together many mini retreats and it will be exactly what I need. Thank you for putting this together in a way that allows each of us to create retreat. I was surprised that so much of my “stuff” – i.e. – perfectionism, minimizing my needs, fear of being left out, etc…. began to come up last night. What happened for me this morning was a gift of spaciousness. And at the same time I feel more grounded in myself. The best insight I had this morning is that life doesn’t have to be an either/or. Okay, I cannot be in full four day retreat – but that doesn’t mean I have to abandon retreat altogether in the next 4 days. Already the weekend ahead is creatively ripe with the buds of little retreat blossoms.
14 Jennifer Jan 16, 2009
Kara, I love your perspective and “little retreat blossoms” so inspiring. I hear you about getting into my stuff on retreat – that’s what happens and that’s why retreats are challenging and so worthwhile.
Welcome in and out of the space!
15 carolyn Jan 16, 2009
Jen, Fabulous intro. I AM SO PUMPED to spend four days having a creativity jam with myself!!!!
I just chased a bird out of my house – a big old starling! It’s 3 degrees in Western New York so it must’ve wanted some warmth – it entered my yoga space where my retreat candles were burning brightly…was it from the forest finding me?
I send the bird into all of your hearts – where we reside in the forest’s spirit together – building a life on this planet that is truly joyful. Gratitude for all of you!
16 Diedra Jan 16, 2009
As hard as it was for me to be awake at 5am (Hawaii time) for the first call, it has been a beautiful experience to be conscious to the slow beginning of a new day.
Watching the sun rise through the swiftly blowing clouds and being thankful we still have power despite the storms winds seems to be the perfect setting to begin this retreat.
Holding on to my peaceful centered self and staying grounded in the safe cozy sanctuary of our home while the winds howl outside is exactly what my intention is for this retreat. To live in the calm center no matter what else swirls around me.
17 jennifer Jan 16, 2009
I was so inspired by the exercises this morning that my whole outlook has shifted. I wrote about it here http://nyjlm.blogspot.com/2009/01/showing-up.html
18 Kathy , Ghent NY Jan 16, 2009
I must say that I am feeling very connected to you all and your birds and your releases and your hearts! It is great to see you, feel you all on retreat!
19 Jenn Givler Jan 16, 2009
My gosh – what a powerful first session. When we did the exercise where we brought our energy back to us – I was moved to tears.
I can see how powerful retreat is. It made me realize how much I’m always putting out – in all directions… and how little I really just sink into myself. Sure, I do morning meditation and yoga – but that goes by so darn fast.
I’ve set the intention that every year, I’m going to GO AWAY on retreat… just me. So that I can really immerse myself in me – sink into myself.
This was such a powerful way to open the retreat, Jen!
I’m like Julie – my big leave-behind is mindlessness… and mind-chatter.
20 Kerri Jan 16, 2009
I just listened to the conversation with Molly and Molly talked about her birthday gift to herself was not to eat wheat or sugar!!! and how that really and truly is self-kindness.
I have a huge problem with both wheat and sugar but had never thought that I would be being kind to myself by abstaining and filling my food choices with healthier choices.
Thank you for that conversation.
21 Jennifer Jan 16, 2009
Yummy Diedra on the sunrise.. and you can always take a nap!
Kerri, I’ll be sure to tell Molly!
Jenn, yeah for bringing that energy home, that’s about my full time work!
22 Jennifer Jan 16, 2009
I am abuzz with creative energy after the call with Steve, hope you all can listen in. Both sessions are now available in the members area!
23 Anne Kaplan Jan 16, 2009
If I get nothing else from this retreat (tho’ I anticipate many aha!s and aaahhhhha’s), it will be worth the price of admission for this one phrase:
self-honoring
It’s exactly what I’ve been looking for. “Self-accepting” is not positive enough, implies making do, putting up with. “Self-loving” sounds narcissistic, too close to the yukky meaning of selfish.
“Self-honoring” is exactly the journey I am on, and which I wish to share with my audience.
What a beautiful phrase, what a beautiful concept.
Expect to see it all over my soon-to-be-launched website.
AmpleThanks & AmpleHugs, Jen.
-Anne
24 Diedra Jan 16, 2009
What part of the members area are the calls going to be saved in?
I did nap, though I’m mortified to say it was during the last couple minutes of Steve’s call. Guess I got myself a little bit TOO snuggly and comfy!
25 Diedra Jan 16, 2009
Well shoot! I went back into the area again and now there showing up! Thanks for posting them so quickly after each call today!!
26 Jennifer Jan 16, 2009
Anne – self-honoring, that is a good term, love that. It is so more active and creative.
Diedra, most days the calls will be up within an hour, some days it may take us a tad longer only because I can’t do the final part myself – involves HTML and Deb won’t let me near that
27 Sharon K. Moritz Jan 16, 2009
I have decided for the retreat time to leave behind worry, my perfectionism, and my negativity.
I have listened to both you and Steve now. I feel very ushered into the retreat by you Jen.
Steve really got me thinking about the present moment and how the things that happen are not what causes fear. What causes fear is the thoughts that I have. I appplaud you Jen for telling the woman in the bank that the worst is not yet to come. How comforting that must have been for her, to hear the Comfort Queen herself, say that. Yes, the news is quite scary and try not to watch it much.
I really feel lacking in the creativity department and yet I feel inspired to try and create as my new approach towards life.
Sharon
28 Jennifer Jan 16, 2009
Sharon, i often feel very lacking in creativity too – most days! I believe that’s why I love the word and the idea with all my being : because it’s what I am at my core and I just keep not seeing it.
29 Angela Jan 16, 2009
I am feeling so connected to all who are retreating. The first session was fabulous! My Sister in Issaquah talked me into this retreat (I live in Ohio) and I feel my connection to her on this first day of retreat to be even stronger than usual.
Looking out on the snow and my woods today as I took this very rare time for myself was so wonderful and so very much needed. Thank you Jen.
30 Carol M Jan 16, 2009
simply… thank you. thank you.
31 Jennifer Jan 16, 2009
Angela, hug your sister for all of us!
Carol, I will carry your thank you with me in my heart tonight!
32 Jennifer Jan 16, 2009
Good night dear retreating souls!