GWV winter retreat 2015

[Jhanananda]

Due to progressively improving health, a decline in the threat-level, and a recent request I am currently entertaining the idea of a winter retreat between Dec 25th and January 1st.  So, if you are interested in attending one, then please voice that either here, or in a PM.

However, my age and health has declined so much in the last 5 years that I have been unable to sit in meditation for long periods of time since the last summer retreat we had a few years ago.

My health has steadily improved in the last year and half, and since last May's health crisis, but the current batch of solar storms has increased joint inflammation.  I am dealing with it effectively by resorting to the daily dose level of anti-inflammatories and rest. 

There were 2 x-ray bursts in the past 48 hours, which suggests another solar wind impact to earth.  We will see if my health remains or declines.

Also, the National Weather Service has reported conditions for the strongest el Niño in 65 years, which could translate into a winter flood in the southwest USA.

Neither I nor either of my vehicles, nor my finances, are likely to be up for a long drive, so I propose the location be on the Arizona side of the Colorado River and at an elevation below 1,000ft.  It should be relatively dry and warm in the area, but with strong winds.

The winter rains tend to start here in the first week of December.  Weather can be warm and pleasant up to December 25th, then be quite cold until March first.

During winter flood years it can rain nonstop for days at a time, several times a week, as it did last winter. If it is going to be a flood-year, then winter floods will begin after the first of the year.

I do not have a large tent for a group to meditate in, which would be useful for a rainy season.

So, I am not sure if a retreat is a good idea, but we can tentatively plan one.

[stugandolf]

Jeffrey,  I like the idea...  Stu

[Alexander]

I would be glad to join you on retreat, Stu and Jeffrey, if you don't mind being joined by someone in his 20s. I will need to buy a plane trip to Arizona, though, so I will need to plan that out.

[stugandolf]

Alexander, No problem.  For those of you who have never met Jeffrey,  this is a wonderful chance... Stu

[Cal]

I've never been on a retreat, but if you'd allow me to come, id like to. Id be coming from washington, so id most likely drive. I suppose id need to know what id need to bring with me.

[Jhanananda]

Jeffrey,  I like the idea...  Stu

Thanks, Stu. Does that mean you might come?  It would be good for all if you could make it, because I would like to retreat with you again, and some elders in the community are always welcome.

I would be glad to join you on retreat, Stu and Jeffrey, if you don't mind being joined by someone in his 20s. I will need to buy a plane trip to Arizona, though, so I will need to plan that out.

It would be excellent if you came, Alexander.  I thought you were much older.  I look forward to meeting you.

My guess is the best place for you to fly to is Phoenix or LA, then take a shuttle or bus to Yuma, then one of us will pick you up there and take you to the retreat site, which might be a  campground with showers, water, toilets, etc., but there is likely to be a charge for the campsite.  There is also a BLM hot spring not far away, so we could plan the occasional trip to the hot spring for a deep soak.

I've never been on a retreat, but if you'd allow me to come, id like to. Id be coming from washington, so id most likely drive. I suppose id need to know what id need to bring with me.

Good to know that you are planning on coming, Cal. 

I would really like to meet all of you.  Of course, Stu and I have been on retreat together several times now.

What to brings?

Bring whatever you need to be comfortable in low altitude desert winter weather, which for most of the winter will be quite mild, but this will be the rainy season, and it is expected to be a wet-flood winter.  So, campers, if you have them, otherwise tents, sleeping bags, cookware, etc.  If you do not have camping gear, or cannot bring it on the plane, then let me know, because I have some loaner gear to offer.

Please do not expect much, because I am old, with lots of health problems.  It is the community that we are building together, which is more important; plus some core retreat time, which each of you will be working together to manifest.  I expect that this may be my last retreat, so come if you can make it.

[stugandolf]

Jeffrey, I plan to go to the retreat... Stu

[Zack]

Hi - I will most likely try to be there. I suddenly put in notice at my job to quit today, having had a few horrible nights recently that let me know I need a change -- I also hadn't signed on here recently, but did just now to this pleasant surprise! I will probably be spending autumn in Alabama/Georgia on friends' farms, but I would love to come out there if I can find the gas money.

[Jhanananda]

Good to know that you plan to come Stu.  I am also glad to know Zack is planning on coming.  I look forward to meeting you, Zak; and meditating with you both.

[Zack]

I had to take another job because of too many outstanding bills to pay off, and my plans to drive west and possibly stay somewhere out there post-retreat have evaporated. There are a few different reasons for this, one of them simply being depression, along with knowing all of my past attempts at "hitting the road" have been disastrous failures. I still plan to make the retreat if it's happening, but will probably have to get there via bus, plane, train, or something.

[Jhanananda]

I too took a job to pay for some needed repairs to the van.  It is minimum wage, and while I swept the floor before leaving today I had to laugh at the contrast between having owned my own business with someone else to sweep the floor, and now.  Oh well, such is the life of a mystic.

Well, don't kill yourself getting there, but flying is probably cheaper these days than driving.  The bus should get you right to Yuma.  Just let us know when and where to pick you up, if you make it, Zak.

[Alexander]

You are the trope of a spiritual master now, an enlightened being mopping floors.

[Jhanananda]

Yes, Alexander.  As is said in Zen Buddhism, "Carry water, chop wood, enlightenment."

[follinge@gmail.com]

I'm so loving seeing all the people sign up to go to this.

This should be so great.

Every time I read about this or think about this, it supports my practice so much.

Just the _idea_ of the retreat has been so helpful.

My wish is, in the future, to pass this blessing off to the next generation. I guess I'd have to attain something first. Haha.

I was thinking of the knowledge that Jeffrey has put together and how great of an aid that is.

Personal meditation experiences of all the jhanas that we can interact with in real time!

A synthesis of all the world's available mystic traditions.

This is great stuff.

Much love and gratitude.

I'm going to practice now.

[Jhanananda]

Thank-you, follinge, for posting your kind words.  I have been meaning to post here that none of those who come should expect to see anything special.  As Stu knows, I am just a warn-out, old, homeless man, who does no tricks. 

The only miracle that I can manifest these days is getting out of bed one more time.  Stu will find me older, and sicker.  My health goes up and down like a yoyo.  So, when you come to the retreat I might appear like the decrepit, old, homeless man that I am, or I might even seem quite youthful.  I may not even be able to get out of bed, let alone meditate much.  So, we will just have to see how the health of this body is from day-to-day.

In fact to keep this body moving from day to day I have to feed it some wine or beer every few hours. I do not drink to get drunk, but to reduce inflammation, so I am not likely to exhibit drunkenness. Everyone who can drink responsibly is welcome to drink beer or wine moderately.  Those who cannot drink with discipline will be asked to be sober for the duration of the retreat.