Joyful living retreat weekend
gREETINGS!
Having traveled my own spiritual/personal growth journey for over 30 years, I have had the opportunity to work with many teachers. When I met Gregg Gonzales, with Joyful Living, I knew he was the real deal. I was sitting across from him, at one of his inspirational Joy Supper Clubs, sharing about my recent experience traveling to Australia and New Zealand on my own. I must have shared something worthwhile because Gregg leaned across the table and asked me whether I would ever consider leading a workshop with him. As you can see my answer was a resounding yes. (And in case you are wondering what I was sharing you may want to join us for the weekend as I will be sharing some of my story. I will give you a little hint though. I traveled half way around the world to study the most heart-centered approach to Tantra I could find. Along the way, I had some life changing realizations.)
I have two dear friends, Gary Myers and Arie Atlas, who have an amazing house just outside of Santa Fe. We have been brainstorming about doing workshops together for a while. Once I introduced them to Gregg, we knew our combined skills, energy, and desire to assist others on their own journeys, would create a weekend worth sharing. We invite you to join us in Santa Fe July 26th to the 29th and find out for yourself. If you live near Santa Fe we also have room for a few of you to join us for the workshop portion of the weekend on Saturday, July 27th. (I will let you in on a secret. We are offering this weekend at a low introductory rate. Our future retreat weekends will never be this reasonably priced again.)
So why should you join us? The focus for the weekend will be Joy. Who could not use a little more joy in their lives? Gregg will be sharing the 8 Pillars of Joy as outlined by the Dalai Lama and Desmond Tutu in The Book of Joy. Gregg has eloquently written an explanation below that summarizes the focus for the weekend and what you will take home.
Arie, a successful realtor, who spent years of his life as a chef, has generously agreed to lead us in preparing a meal together on Friday evening upon our arrival. When I look back on the most joyful and happy moments in my life, many of them have taken place with family and friends in a kitchen. We thought there was no better way to get to know each other and begin our joyful journey than by creating a meal together. Arie will also be treating us by preparing our breakfasts on Saturday and Sunday, along with our Saturday lunch.
The workshop day on Saturday will begin with Gregg sharing the concept of Shinrin-Yoku (Forest Bathing). We will then incorporate the concepts in a mindfulness hike through the beautiful area surrounding Santa Fe.
Throughout the day, I will be leading discussions and exercises that incorporate understandings of how energy flows through our physical, emotional, and energetic bodies. We will practice grounding and being present in our bodies, finding where our joy resides, and learning to call upon it whenever needed.
Gary, a retired art teacher and amazing Santa Fe artist, has graciously agreed to lead us through creating a piece of our own art. If you think back to your childhood, weren’t some of your most happy moments spent creating? It truly did not matter whether your painting, drawing, or clay creation was a masterpiece, only that you had fun in the process. We will explore together how the artistic process of creation can help us tap into our inner joy.
Lastly, the featured highlight of the weekend will be Gregg leading us through a series of questions he has created to help us find the “keys” to the doors of our minds, hearts, and souls to unlock our inner joy. (I have included his explanation below.)
We would be doing you an injustice if we did not provide you the opportunity to explore all Santa Fe has to offer, so Saturday evening we will be dining out at one of the favorite local restaurants. Then on Sunday, you may want to explore the annual Traditional Spanish Market held in the famous Santa Fe town square. Those interested in continuing discussions are welcome to join us back at the house Sunday evening for a cozy fireside chat (being July in the desert we may forego the fire).
More details will be provided upon registration.
I will leave you with this thought. My inner and outer travels have provided me a wider PERSPECTIVE into what really matters in my own life. Along the way I have learned keys to managing my ego and the value of living with HUMILITY. I have found out that even when life seems to be incredibly tough there is value in finding the HUMOR in it and ultimately ACCEPTANCE. FORGIVENESS needs to begin with myself and can then be extended to others. When I live my life from a place of GRATITUDE it seems to flow a little smoother. In doing so, I am also learning to be more loving, COMPASSIONate, and kind to myself and others and from this place of GENEROCITY I experience the truest JOY.
I look forward to spending time with you in Santa Fe!
Namaste,