About the Journey
Growing Roots in Shifting Soil: Grounding the
Feminine Divine in Our Everyday Lives
October 1 to 5, 2009
What You Need to Know:
The Setting: This annual Everyday
Medicine Woman gathering will be held at the Shambhala
Mountain Center in Red Feather Lakes, Colorado, located
approximately 2 1/2 hours outside of Denver. Set on
600 acres of pristine natural beauty, the Shambhala
Mountain Center is an ideal setting for performing earth-honoring
ceremonies and grounding ourselves in the strong mountain
energy. In addition, because Shambhala is a Buddhist
retreat, we also will have access to collective energy
of this spiritual community, which supports the cultivation
of fearless, gentle and intelligent action in the world.
On the property is The Great Stupa of Dharmakaya, which
has been blessed by the Dalai Lama and called one of
the most magnificent examples of Buddhist architecture
outside of Asia. It is said that those who gaze at The
Great Stupa see the body of Buddha and at that moment
of direct insight, no matter how brief, is the gateway
of enlightenment
Accommodations: There are a variety
of rooms at different price points available—from
dorm-style with communal bath to single and double rooms
with shared or private baths. Visit the Shambhala website
to view accommodations and sign up for your room. Please
note that you must sign up and pay for your room through
the Shambhala
website (www.shambhalamountain.org/programs/1161).
This is different than previous Everyday Medicine Woman
gatherings in which the program fee and accommodations
were combined. On the room sign-up form, there is a
place where you can request a roommate. If you ask for
a double room but do not request a roommate, we will
assign one to you.
If you would like to stay for extra days following
the program, Shambhala has offered a discounted rate.
Again, you may sign up for this on the Shambhala site.
Weather: It will be October in the
mountains, so snow is possible! Expected temperatures
are generally in the 60s during the day and in the 30s
at night. The best advice is to dress in layers, ensuring
that you have a sturdy pair of walking/hiking shoes
and a warm outer jacket. Because of the elevation, you
will need sun protection (sunscreen, hat) during the
day. A more detailed packing list will be available
on this website as we get closer to the trip date.
Altitude. Shambhala is located at
8,000 feet above sea level so altitude will be a factor.
In general, for people who have no underlying health
conditions that could be exacerbated by altitude, staying
hydrated and taking supplements such as Emergen-C, should
be sufficient. We will have plenty of both available.
However, if you know you have problems with altitude
or have health issues that could be affected by altitude,
talk with your doctor about how you can best handle
it. One suggestion is to arrive a day early to acclimate
yourself before the program starts. Note that altitude
sickness can be serious, so it is important for you
to take this into consideration when planning this trip.
Activities: During the week, we will
participate in many ceremonies, tapping into the earth-honoring
traditions and the energies of the land. This includes
a community healing ceremony, a trance dance and a Buddhist
walking meditation. Also on the agenda: talking circles
so that you can share your experiences with your sisters;
drumming circles to connect us with our heart and womb
rhythms; and optional yoga classes with Corinne Peterson
to reinforce the vibrational intention of our work,
as well as to support those with a daily yoga practice
.
Food: The retreat’s food is
clean, healthy and simple—ideal for supporting
the transformation processes we will be undergoing during
our time at Shambhala. The kitchen is vegan friendly
and able to accommodate dietary restrictions and food
allergies if given advance notice. There also will be
a refrigerator available to us if anyone needs to bring
supplements. Note that the largest meal of the day will
be lunch. Snacks are available at the gift shop, but
you also are welcome to bring your own. No alcohol is
served (or available) at Shambhala.
Airlines: Airfare is not included
in the trip. We strongly suggest that you fly direct
to Denver International Airport to eliminate possible
delays. You will need to arrive at Shambhala Mountain
Center by 4 pm on Thursday, October 1, 2009, so be sure
to schedule your flight for an early arrival time (before
1 pm) on that day. Programming concludes by 10:30 am
on October 5, so please schedule your return after 3
pm. There are many options for getting from the airport
to Shambhala. Click here (link) to view them.
A Note about Costs: Your program fee
covers all ceremonies and activities for the five days
you will be at Shambhala. (This fee is paid to Everyday
Medicine Woman.) Your room fee covers lodging and three
meals a day. (This fee is paid directly to Shambhala.)
Not covered is airfare and transport from the airport
to Shambhala. Program fees are non-refundable.
Orientation. As the trip date draws
nearer, trip coordinator Robin Varnado will hold an
orientation session to answer any questions you may
have. Once you have registered and signed the waiver
form, you will be notified via email as to the date
of the session.
|
