GWV winter retreat 2015

[Jhanananda]

The start and end of the retreat is somewhat up to those attending it.  I plan to be available for roughly a 2 week period that overlaps on each side of the retreat, so people are welcome to come early, and/or leave late from it.  So, it is up to when you want to come.

[follinge@gmail.com]

I'd like to overlap with winter break and new years. That way, I could use my vacation time as well.

So Dec 24, 2015 to Jan 2, 2016.

I think it would be wonderful to bring in the New Year with meditation.

Frederick

[Jhanananda]

Hi Frederick, yes, Dec 24, 2015 to Jan 2, 2016 is fine.  As I said above those who wish to turn it into a 2-week retreat are welcome to do so; however, the early birds will have to realize that there might be some preparation time, and shut down time at the beginning and end of the retreat.

[Jhanananda]

The weather where I have been street-camping has been unusually warm and pleasant with the low in the 30s and the high in the 60s (0-20c); and the last 2 winters have also been warm and pleasant here, so I am considering just staying where I am for the retreat, and just camping a few miles out of town for the retreat.  We can always go down hill if a storm is predicted.  We need only drive south 50 miles to drop our elevation by 3,000ft (914m), which would result in a pleasant abiding during a winter storm.

There are additional advantages in remaining in this area, as most of the common box stores and camping equipment sources are here, as well as several grocery store options.  Whereas, the other town I have been considering camping near happens to only have two grocery stores and no box stores.

Another advantage of camping near this town is there are so many food banks, and free kitchens here that anyone on a budget, who is attending this retreat, like myself, can actually acquire all of their food, and even a sleeping bag, tent, warm clothes, etc. for free, by going to the local services for the poor to get equipped.  We could make it something like the daily begging rounds that Buddhist monks are known for.

So, let us know what your preferences are.

[follinge@gmail.com]

Sounds good to me. My wife would appreciate being near a town. I'm all in so this is fine for me. I'd be interested in more details of exactly where we're going to be do I can start to plan on when to leave, etc.

[Jhanananda]

There are 2 sites being considered, and they depend upon the weather report, so the site selection may change at the last moment if weather is heading our way.  We will plan to be within about 5 miles of a grocery store.

I forgot to mention that in this town there are also free-showers available 6 days a week at three local shelters, and free-kitchens.

[Zack]

This sounds good to me. I have been a bit stiff and sore lately so probably will not want to push myself too hard, so simple and accessible sounds good.

[Jhanananda]

Friday I left the mountain town, where I had been camped for the last few months, just before a snow storm struck.  Today they had another one, and, since this is the southwest's winter rain season, then we can expect about 2 snow storms a week in the mountains.  The weather report there is for highs in the mid 30s-40s and lows in the mid teens (degrees F).

After three days of scouting I found some serviceable campsites, that should suit us well for this retreat.  They are near a small desert town, where the whether for the next few weeks is predicted to be highs in the mid 50s-60s and lows in the mid 30s - 40s (degrees F).

The first sites are just 3 miles off a paved two lane state high way.  The road there is mostly paved with just a few sections of well maintained dirt road.  These campsites have no trees, but they are on the bank of a river, which does not normally run, but by the time the retreat is happening it might be.  There is also cell phone service there.

The second series of possible campsites are 5 miles further down that road.  From the point of the first campsites the road is graded dirt, but well maintained by the county.  These possible campsites are quite remote.  They are on the bank of the same river that appears to run year round there.  There are also stands of large willow and cottonwood trees there.  We are not likely to have any disturbance at these campsites. However, there is no cell phone service there.

So, please express your interest in either campsite, and we can plan further.

[stugandolf]

Jeffrey,  Both areas are at the same elevation I assume.  My truck and I like both - trees would be nice.  It all depends on what the others need...Stu

[Jhanananda]

Yes, the elevation should be close to about 2,000ft (600m) of elevation.

I look forward to retreating with you again, my friend.

Everyone who has expressed an interest in attending this retreat has been sent a PM, so check your messages here.  The PM should provide you with all of the information that you need to get there. 

Please feel free to ask any questions.  And, please let me know if you are sill planning on coming.

Some of you have said you might be flying, if so, then feel free to network with the others who are doing so, because you may all be able to connect along the way, and help each other negotiate the terrain.

[Zack]

Either location is fine with me. It sounds like the first one might be easier though, especially with cell service if people are arriving at staggered times and need to contact each other. We could even move sites maybe, if that ends up sounding like a good idea. Anyway, I will continue this in PMs.

[follinge@gmail.com]

The plan solidifies. I sent the info to my wife who's driving me and will sit with us for much of the retreat.

Otherwise, nobody knows the exact location and I won't make it public.

My friends all know I'm "meditating with a great teacher in AZ this winter."

So looking forward to this.

[stugandolf]

Jeff,  Received message...  Stu

[Jhanananda]

Good to hear that some of you are coming.  I have 3 tents and three sleeping bags to lend.  Everyone should have a mess kit of some kind, but I have some I can lend.

Those who are flying, Alexander, Zack and whomever else might wish to network, and either take the same shuttle, or rent a cab.

Note on health:

One of the consequences of diabetes is rapid organ decay all around, so those who have met me before are likely to see me noticeably older than the last time you saw me. 

It also so happens that limb pain, and skin pain are common for diabetics, and one of its manifestations is pain under pressure, and repetition, which means sitting for long periods of time in meditation has been impossible for me ever since I was diagnosed with diabetes.  So, while I plan to join you all in meditation, I am not likely to be able to sit longer than 15-30 minutes at each session.

[Jhanananda]

Good to hear that some of you are coming.  I have 3 tents and three sleeping bags to lend.  Everyone should have a mess kit of some kind, but I have some I can lend.

Those who are flying, Alexander, Zack and whomever else might wish to network, and either take the same shuttle, or rent a cab.

Note on health:

One of the consequences of diabetes is rapid organ decay all around, so those who have met me before are likely to see me noticeably older than the last time you saw me. 

It also so happens that limb pain, and skin pain are common for diabetics, and one of its manifestations is pain under pressure, and repetition, which means sitting for long periods of time in meditation has been impossible for me ever since I was diagnosed with diabetes.  So, while I plan to join you all in meditation, I am not likely to be able to sit longer than 15-30 minutes at each session.

I have camped in the area for a week, have left it for more resources, and will return in a few days.  Do not expect me to be on the internet daily until a few days before people start to arrive.

Each of you please let me know your arrival and departure estimates so that I can plan.

People are welcome to arrive early, and/or leave late, as I plan to camp in the area for the rest of the winter, with short trips back to my resource base.