GWV retreats 2014

[Jhanananda]

As long as I can transport myself there, I suspect I will be there.

I have had several requests for retreats this year, so this is where we will begin to plan one or more GWV retreats.  Transportation continues to be an issue for me, so I can most reliably join those interested in a retreat within a 100 mile radius of Sedona, AZ.  This gives us a remarkable range in elevation from about 1,000 feet above sea level to about 15,000 feet, with associated diversity of biological zones, and at least 4 national forests.  All we have to do is agree upon where and when.  So, please post your preferences here, and we will all discuss it as a community and come up with a plan that accommodates the majority.

[Jhanananda]

This is starting to look like my last year of leading retreats. I will be 62 in a year, and I plan to fully retire then.  Plus, while the health of this body is improving, it may not improve enough to continue to put out as much effort as I have in the last 10 years.  So, if you have been considering attending a GWV wilderness retreat, then this might be the summer to plan on making it.  If you are planning on attending the retreat, then let us know as soon as you think you can attend one, so that we can make arrangements.

[stugandolf]

As usual I will attend the retreats...  This is a golden opportunity for those of you who have not spent time with Jeffrey - if you do not spend time him you miss a  "I know not what" -  words can only point to whatever; they are not whatever... I will fit into whatever dates are offered.  Stu

[Jhanananda]

Thank-you Stu, I look forward to retreating with you again.  How about somewhere on the mesa near the last place we were on retreat near Flag Staff?  Spring water is near by, and so are grocery stores and the interstates are not far away either. 

We will be above 7000feet (2100meters) of elevation.  There is an airport not far away, if anyone wants to fly in, and there are airport shuttles that will take anyone who flies into Phoenix to Flag Staff, and we can pick you up there and take you out to the retreat site.

There is a camping limit of 2 weeks per month, so depending on how much work I have, and how many times people want, and how much time needed on retreat, we may have to move to one of 3 other national forests within a 50 mile radius.

[stugandolf]

Jeffrey,  Owing to jury duty I am not available until July...  Stu

[Jhanananda]

Thanks for the update, Stu.  Knowing your time limitations will help us narrow down a date.

[everybodyishome]

Adding to Stu's schedule,  my rhythm also would flow with a retreat happening July and after,
My grandparents happen to reside in Phoenix area and be fortunate to have the opportunity to host and assist transporting those arriving.
Though may not be in the states till july

[Jhanananda]

Good to hear from you, everybodyishome, and thanks for the offer to help transport people.  As the date gets closer, hopefully we will be able to nail down a firm date.

[Jhanananda]

We recently had an out of control forest fire here, which I believe may have burned through the area where we camped much of last year, so we may need to find another campsite; and the forest service has restricted campfires everywhere, as far as I know.  So, it will be best if we wait to retreat until after the monsoons start, which might be early or late, which means the earliest that we can camp will be mid-to-late July.

[stugandolf]

Jeffrey,    Having completed my jury duty,  I am more than ready to attend another retreat.  It would be really nice to have a great photo of you, me and the other participants in the outfits we tend to wear - I really like your new outfit.  You are on the scene and monsoon season would be really nice. The site near Payson was nice  -  anyplace above 7000 feet is good - Stu

[Jhanananda]

Thank-you, Stu, for giving us an update.  I was thinking, since July was coming up, that an update was in order.  I just heard yesterday that the road to Flag Staff from Sedona is open again, so I plan to drive to last summer's campsite there to see how is fared with the recent fire.  If there are good, unburned campsites there, and Fry Park is open, then that would be my first choice, as it is close to 2 interstates, there is spring water close by, it is above 7,000 ft, and supermarket where we can get ice, are not far away, but far enough that we will not have them, and their traffic in our face.

Otherwise, the site we camped at first near Payson would be my second choice.

The monsoons have not started yet, so until they do the forest service will maintain their fire restriction.  Also, with the Fourth of July weekend coming up, they will be on hyper vigilance, so I think it is best to wait until after the weekend of the 4th.

If anyone else is planning on joining us, then please let us know in advance.

[everybodyishome]

Yes,
Interested to attend and follow GWV retreat outfits and alike
Gear and supplies will be great opportunity if I may assist

[Jhanananda]

Thank-you, everybodyishome, for the offer of help, and the interest in attending the GWV summer wilderness retreat.  Help is always appreciated, and so is expressing interest in attending one of our retreats.

[Jhanananda]

I am glad to hear about various encounters with the dark night of the soul.  I have practiced being a contemplative mystic for 40 years, well that is what it is and now I have to sort out which which downturns, tangents, which events were deep or deeper dark nights.  I am getting more and more agoraphobic- even so it would be great to have the dark night as a topic to be considered at the next  retreat.  I am available after July 17 and onward.  So where do we stand on the next retreat?  My most recent, and on going DNS, has lasted about 8 months.  Stu   Thanks to all who have contributed to this topic.

Good to read from you Stu.  Yes, I agree, the spiritual crisis/dark night of the soul is an excellent topic for this summer's wilderness retreat.  The monsoons started a few days ago, and the ran has been falling daily, so the forest should be quite moist.  So, I plan to scout out possible campsites this week.  Sometime after the 17th of July sounds good to me.  I hope to camp near where we camped last year near Flag Staff, but it might be near the site we camped at near Payson.  I will keep you all posted. Anyone interested in attending the GWV summer wilderness retreat should let us know of your intentions as soon as possible.

[everybodyishome]

The update is applicable,
Once you are more aware and inclined please write the dates may be plausible

 I happen to be in New England and committed for employment for a couple weeks..

Thank you