For over 20 years the Sacred Path Men’s Retreats have endeavored to provide an opportunity for men of all ages to find the answers to the questions they are dealing with. Our returning Veterans that have been on the front lines in Iraq and Afghanistan are not the only ones that have been in need of a foxhole. If you’re feeling like you’ve been on the frontlines with little cover or support, consider joining the Vets that will be with us on retreat. Many men are seeking to put their lives back together and the Sacred Path men’s community is here to help.
Hundreds of men have passed through the portals of Sacred Path and a self-selected group of men will convene for our fall retreat (October 23-26) to lend support to each other on the quest for conscious manhood. Will you be one of them? A staff of 20 will host all the participants who will have signed-on for this special occasion.
This upcoming retreat will feature inspirational discourse, profound talking stick council gatherings, the intimacy of tribe meetings and the breadth and depth of the breakout sessions. The workshops will focus on men and their relationships including how to improve them or dissolve them with dignity. We’ll deal with issues surrounding recovery, not only involving sobriety but also recovery from life crises such as unhealthy dependencies, infidelity and divorce. We’ll discuss and seek strategies to improve career and financial opportunities as well as look at our health, vitality and longevity. Together we’ll meditate, do Yoga, sit in the stone people’s lodge and create spirited movement of our minds, bodies and souls. We’ll focus on issues surrounding frustration and disappointment as well as endeavor to understand what to do with our anger and longing while we learn from failure, loss and grief. And we’ll celebrate our accomplishments, successes and the Mindful connection to our inner joy
Ultimately, the community of men that will convene for this conference will gather to explore what it means to be a good man. Ample opportunities will be offered for participants to explore their psyches in large and small group formats. The workshops, featuring a wide range of experiential topics, will provide men with forums for self-encounter and offer the opportunity to engage with others for the purpose of productive and healthy self-development and personal expansion.
Last year our fee range went from $495 to $695. We requested that participants pay what they could toward their attendance within that range. This year, due to the tighter economy, we are lowering our fee structure to span $395 to $595 and once again men are invited to pay what they can afford. We are always grateful to the men that can afford to pay more and do so. I’m looking forward to meeting with you on the Sacred Path as we gather on the mountain in October.
And, on another note, I wanted to thank Rich Manners and Mitch Roth for their selfless assistance as well as the 22 men that registered for the last Mindfulness Practicum on the practice of Refraining. The July Practicum was the 4th in the series that began in January, and I’m facilitating one last Practicum for men on Saturday, September 20th focused on the practice of Discernment. Since this is the last one-day event for men before the October retreat and actually for the remainder of this year, it will likely draw attendance from those that have participated in the whole series, those that have had to miss one or more events, and those that are looking forward to participating in at least one of the Practicums before the series ends; therefore, if you plan to attend, please register early to reserve your spot (new registration flyer included with this newsletter).
I’ve had a number of women remind me that I haven’t done an event for women in several years and they’ve requested that I put on some events to include them. With that in mind, I’ve decided to facilitate a Mindfulness Practicum focused on the 5 practices to be held at Holy Spirit Retreat Center on Saturday, November 8th. This event will be a day just for women participants. Rich and Mitch will assist me as we hold the space for the women to convene for their own day of exploration into the training of Mindfulness. More information will be forthcoming; however, feel free to let that special woman in your life know about this event.
I have booked 6 more dates at Holy Spirit throughout 2009 commencing in January. My intention is to host a one-day event for couples as well as events to include men and women. I’ll be determining, along the way, how each event will be structured. I trust that you’re enjoying your summer and taking time to be Mindful along the way.
Namaste,
Stephen
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