This retreat was led by Sarahjoy and Breitenbush luminary and Buddhist teacher, Robert Beatty, along with longtime emotional connection teacher Raphael Cushnir, and Ruth Willamson and irene kendall, facilitators of Daring Greatly.
We were also blessed with live music with Krishna Das, Colin Meloy of the Decemberists, and Shantala, Benjy and Heather Wertheimer!
This is a weekend retreat with practices and community conversations.
Peter Moore, Breitenbush's longest standing member, since the 70's, and Business Director for the last 15 years, shared the history and current situation of Breitenbush. Peter and the small crew that remains on staff are doggedly working to forge the path for Breitenbush going forward from the devastation of the fires in September 2020.
9:30 am - 10:15 am: A Visit with Peter Moore: Fire, Recovery, Future Plans 10:30 - 12 pm: The One Thing Holding You Back with Raphael Cushnir [lunch break]
2 - 3:30 pm: Rising Strong Session with Ruth and irene, based on the work of Brene Brown 3:45 - 4:45 pm: Breitenbush Storytelling 4:45 - 5:15 pm: Krishna Das Chanting Session [dinner break]
7 - 8 pm: Musical Evening with Colin Meloy from The Decemberists
11:30 am - 12:30 pm: Closing Session with all presenters
Yoga's Indigenous Wisdom with Sarahjoy Using the lens of yoga’s indigenous wisdom, this session with Sarahjoy will provide a framework for addressing the climate emergency based on the chakra system.
For example, at our root, we deeply know that we are both interconnected and interdependent. One of the imperatives at the root chakra is for us to commit to supporting the welfare of all beings. The act of living consciously with this imperative widens our hearts, our minds, and our actions to levels of consideration and intimacy that the pace of modern life oppresses.
Contemporary life activates and perpetuates the primal fears of the root chakra.
As a species, we are designed to seek safety via connection. Yet we are also susceptible to forgetting both our deepest indwelling nature and the indwelling nature of others. This leads to the sense of separateness from which suffering and disconnection arise. This disconnection is not only from each other but from our very selves and from the earth and the whole ecology.
While such a seemingly insurmountable undertaking as healing the levels of disconnection that have brought our world to this crisis can feel heavy upon us, not taking action, not waking up, not participating would be the greater heaviness. Healing begins with the deliberate actions that bring connection, awareness, empowerment, and courage. Ultimately, this responsibility for the welfare of all revives rather than burdens the spirit.
