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Retreat
Nov 29, 2009 12:26:35 GMT -5
Post by Michael Hawkins on Nov 29, 2009 12:26:35 GMT -5
A quick note to say that I miss you all. It's been a rich and rewarding first several days in Pahoa, Hawaii, at the Ramashala Retreat Center, where I'm doing Tarot readings and a some meditation instruction for Maurice Fernandez' retreat. We've done a lot of kundalini yoga, some Qigong, some astro-drama, and there is a wonderful massage therapist who worked on me last night -- nice! I've been doing two or three readings every day, but the group is such a good one that I'm not even feeling drained. In any case, this is a good opportunity to recharge, get centered and push ahead for the next phase of development, which I'm looking forward to. I hope you are all are filled with bliss, joy and ecstasy every moment of every day....
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Retreat
Nov 29, 2009 18:58:03 GMT -5
Post by jhananda on Nov 29, 2009 18:58:03 GMT -5
It is good to hear from you Michael and to know that you, and your work, are being well received.
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Retreat
Nov 30, 2009 9:54:12 GMT -5
Post by Michael Hawkins on Nov 30, 2009 9:54:12 GMT -5
Thank you, Jeffrey -- it was a wonderful day and it was good to be with other meditators, some of whom reported signs of absorption. We'll see what happens with the next sit!
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Retreat
Nov 30, 2009 10:30:51 GMT -5
Post by jhananda on Nov 30, 2009 10:30:51 GMT -5
Good to know that some of the contemplatives at your retreat are experiencing charisms. It is not surprising. It is good to know that they have you there to help them understand those charisms. It is so sad that so few meditation teachers understand or value the charisms.
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Post by Michael Hawkins on Dec 3, 2009 3:11:04 GMT -5
Friends, the retreat is over for me (although it continues through two more segments for two other groups), and as I sit waiting for my flight in Honolulu, I just can't get over the power and grace that I've experienced over the past week.
The Hilo/Pahoa area of the Big Island is a lush, green paradise on Earth, the perfect environment for spiritual retreat. I find myself dreaming of spending half the year in that spot, the other half in beautiful Colorado. It definitely feels like the horizons of my life have expanded, and that there is no going back. It will be interesting to see how things unfold, but I can tell you that I am wide, WIDE open to further travel in the interest of lending love and support to fellow travelers... and this feels pretty darned close to a Calling.
We shall see!
And now... seven more hours in the air, followed by an hour (or more) on a bus in single-digit temperatures, snow falling on the Denver/Boulder area.
Perfect!!!!!
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Retreat
Dec 3, 2009 23:09:35 GMT -5
Post by jhananda on Dec 3, 2009 23:09:35 GMT -5
Michael, may your calling manifest in all of the best ways possible
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Retreat
Dec 4, 2009 23:38:08 GMT -5
Post by juliemarie on Dec 4, 2009 23:38:08 GMT -5
Wow sounds wonderful.
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Retreat
Dec 5, 2009 10:38:09 GMT -5
Post by roamer on Dec 5, 2009 10:38:09 GMT -5
Congratulations on the retreat successes! Its funny that you enjoy coming home to single digit temps and snow. I'm actually the same way, I just got done with a job in Wyoming working in single digit ground blizzard and I found it very invigorating! How would a cold weather retreat sound? Cross country ski during the day, meditate by fire morning and night, now that is my dream lifestyle!
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Retreat
Dec 5, 2009 13:32:30 GMT -5
Post by Michael Hawkins on Dec 5, 2009 13:32:30 GMT -5
You know, Nick, that's a great idea about a winter retreat. I've been wanting to become a cross-country skier for years now, but have not found the right motivation to actually get up into the woods with sticks on my feet.
But wouldn't it be great to do a hut-hopping journey with a small group of ecstatic contemplatives? The skiing itself would be a form of "walking meditation" and "nature gazing," and our bodies would be ripe for deep absorption during our time in the huts. Now you've got me thinking, brother!
Much love, Michael
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Retreat
Dec 5, 2009 22:32:49 GMT -5
Post by jhananda on Dec 5, 2009 22:32:49 GMT -5
A winter cross country skiing retreat sounds like a great idea. The last time I was cross country skiing was on the north rim of the Grand Canyon about 20 years ago. So, is it skiing to cozy cabins, or camping in tents? If we tent it, then we could build a sweat lodge to bath, meditate and warm up in.
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