GWV winter retreat 2015

[follinge@gmail.com]

We're leaving early on the 24th and we hope to get there before nightfall. Leaving after New Year's on the Second.

[Jhanananda]

Thank-you, follinge, for letting me know your plans.  I am still in the mountains acquiring resources and expect to head back to camp by tomorrow the 22nd, ahead of 4 days of rain and snow here.

Everyone should check in daily here for any last minute changes.  And, if you all are traveling with a way to connect with the internet, then please do check in here upon your arrival.

[Cal]

It does not seem I will be able to attend the retreat. But, if you have any sort of itinerary laid out Jeff, could you share it? If not, i'll plan for a minimum of 3 sits a day/hour per sit, for the duration of the retreat.

[follinge@gmail.com]

Cal, nice to have you with us in spirit. One day, I hope we can meet in person.

[Jhanananda]

Hi Cal, sorry that you will not be able to make it.  Yes, for those who wish to join us in spirit, we will have 3-6 sits a day of an hour-2 hours, depending upon the needs of others.

Stu just arrived.  He is looking for me, while I am in town sending this message, but I am sure we will meet up shortly.

Also, those who are flying may need to take a taxi to the little town near the retreat, then get off at either the local McDonald's, or the local Bashas grocery store, then give me a call, and either Stu or I will come and pick you up.

[Alexander]

I am going to miss the retreat as well, as I need to use Christmas to work/prepare for a new job. I planned to come down just the 25th-28th, but given the cost of the trip I'd rather take a full week to meet Jeffrey. I will be meditating throughout the week, so I hope to be there in spirit.

[follinge@gmail.com]

Leaving in an hour or so. I hope to see you tonight.

[follinge@gmail.com]

We're going to go by the grocery store before we come. Should we bring anything in particular?

[follinge@gmail.com]

I wanted to thank all those who were there for a successful retreat.

It was wonderful to meet everyone there and to ask the few questions, I had, in person regarding meditation.

Like on the forums, Jeffrey's answers were clear and specific to whatever was asked.

Jeffrey ensured that we all got enough to eat and were secure in every way.

We had one day with a wind storm and Jeffrey and Stu both helped to repair it.

I don't want to speak much more about the particulars to keep the privacy of the retreat.

But I do recommend that if you can make it, come out to a retreat.

My meditation improved and is continuing to improve at home.

Much gratitude to all that attended. Each person contributed a great deal which made my retreat perfect.

I'm going to start another thread to list the things that we need for a retreat.

[Jhanananda]

I am so glad, follinge, that you found the retreat beneficial.  If my health continues to improve, then I can see the possibility of leading a future retreat.  Perhaps as soon as this summer.

[lucidtrip]

Hello all. While I had every intention of participating in the retreat, circumstances prevented me from doing so. But I was still lucky to meet with the crew that did the retreat, that included my husband (follinge).

I feel extremely fortunate that I was able to meet with Jhanananda and ask a question that's been a huge block in my practice. I experience this very intense visuals that can be best described as something akin to an acid trip (as I've read about it), and it was too intense and would arrive quickly when I would sit. Jhanananda, being as well read as he is in was able to break down and explain what I was going through, and how it allowed me to be extremely lucid even in my dreams. This has been bugging me for a few years and made me nervous about sitting. But I can now and embrace the experience of the visuals and then all the other sensory experience more fully.

It was a great group and I hope to join everyone at the next retreat.

[Jhanananda]

Welcome, lucidtrip, to this forum, where you will find you are in good company with people who have similar experiences to your when they meditate.  I truly hope that you participate in this forum, as you see fit, and I look forward to your presence at a future GWV retreat.

[Zack]

Sorry I haven't checked back in yet -- it was a hard, convoluted trip back home and I've been tired, back on the work grind, and my computer was acting up and mentally I didn't feel like dealing with it.

But the retreat was definitely a good time. I enjoyed meeting everyone and experiencing the Arizona landscape, and like I was hoping I came home with some inspiration for my meditation practice. There's not much I want to do now but meditate (and try to recreate the coconut custard!), and I'm also interested in building lucidity in the sleep state, as I had some very interesting dreams out there in the desert.

I think the next retreat will only be more enjoyable, and I'm interested in doing one this summer, so I will post in that thread.

[follinge@gmail.com]

I felt the same way when I got back.

I wanted to write a long post summarizing our retreat and letting everyone know I got back safe and that things went well.

But I, too, didn't really want to do it, but I had to force myself.

I figured you felt the same, Zach. Glad to have met you and glad to know that things are going well for you.

[Jhanananda]

...the retreat was definitely a good time. I enjoyed meeting everyone and experiencing the Arizona landscape, and like I was hoping I came home with some inspiration for my meditation practice. There's not much I want to do now but meditate (and try to recreate the coconut custard!), and I'm also interested in building lucidity in the sleep state, as I had some very interesting dreams out there in the desert.

I think the next retreat will only be more enjoyable, and I'm interested in doing one this summer, so I will post in that thread.

Inspiring others to lead a more rigorous contemplative life is one of the goals of the GWV, so I am glad you, Zack, and follinge, found the retreat inspiring you.  Now the challenge is to keep it up.