Retreat Treats

If I only had the time and/or money, I know where I'd like to go.

Shambhala (2 miles from Denver)

New Camaldoli Hermitage (Big Surrr)

Spirit Rock (Marin County)

Ranch at Live Oak Malibu

Glen Ivy Hot Springs (Riverside County)

Red Mountain (St. George, Utah)

Esalen (Big Sur)

Ten Thousand Waves (outside Santa Fe)

Rancho La Puerta (just over the border from San Diego)

Hawaii Island Retreat (northern tip of the Big Island)

Breitenbush Hot Springs (Oregon Cascades)

Jade Buddha in Huntington Beach

The Jade Buddha for Universal Peace, the largest jem quality jade statue in the world, is on display in Huntington Beach at 7641 Talbert Avenue through November 15. The statue is on tour throughout major cities in North America, Asia and Australia before being set up at the Great Stupa of Universal Compassion in Bendigo, Australia. The exhibitors hope that all people who come to see the inspiring statue will take a moment to reflect upon peace.

Coffee, tea and Me-ditation

Bogart's Coffee House is getting together a morning meditation group for 3 Saturdays in the month of September, beginning September 4 at 7 am. It begins with a yoga stretch that leads into a guided meditation led by Victor Byrd of Long Beach Meditation right on the beach. Jackets, towels and chairs or pads are recommended to guard against chilly breezes and wet sand. The sessions will end at 8:30 am at Bogarts

Say AAAAH, Say OMMMMMM

Just read through the Yoga World newletter and discovered that there's a meditation community in Long Beach called quite simply Long Beach Meditation. Regular meditation sessions called sits are held at different locations in the city. Beginner's sits are held on the first and third Sundays of each month from 1:30 to 2:30 pm at the Unity Church of Long Beach at Broadway and Alamitos. Guiding teacher Victor Byrd discusses the fundamentals of Vipassana (Insight) Meditation followed by a 20 minute sit and time for discussion. Beginning classes are free, but donations are welcomed. You can come early and help set up as a way to meet and talk with members of the group.

On June 12, Yoga World founder Gabriel Hall and Victor Byrd will hold an all day meditation retreat in Palos Verdes, incorporating sitting meditation, walking meditation, and yoga asanas. The retreat costs $60. Spaces are limited so sign up at the Long Beach Meditation website as soon as possible.

Interesting Retreat Possibility

I've seen ads for the Sunburst Sanctuary before, but I finally took the time to check out the website. It was founded by a student of Paramahansa Yogananda, and sponsors guest weekends to meditate, practice yoga, and dine with the residents. It's not clear what sort of donation is expected or if there's much proselytizing, but the pictures of the grounds near Lompoc look very refreshing. The website offers a free how to meditate ecourse.

A Peace at the Heart of a Hectic Holiday

Yoga World Studio is offering an interesting meditation workshop called Healing the Heart conducted by Susan Toro. The program runs from 1:30 pm to 4:30 pm at the Los Altos studio and uses meditation, visualization, and emotional release techniques to release pain and anger caused by past hurtful experiences. Pre-registration costs $30.

Healing weekend at Yoga World

Saul David Raye will present several classes for students of all levels on yoga teachings for the mind, body, and spirit at Yoga World. Starting Friday evening, November 20, and continuing through Sunday, November 22, the classes will focus on meditation and yoga to heal the individual and transform a troubled world. It's not clear whether the classes will be held at the Los Altos or downtown studio.

Make Merry at Merry's

Merry's, a dress shop at 2747 Broadway with men's and women's clothing from around the world, got a great write-up in the Grunion Gazette this week. Besides a great selection of hip scarves, harem pants, kurtas and sarongs, Merry's has programs to heighten cultural awareness and support humanitarian causes. There's a regular belly dance class called the Sunday Shimmy and products which benefit workers in Tibet, India, Egypt, and other countries. I'm working on July 25th so I won't be able to go to the third anniversary celebration, but I'm going to check out the meditation for peace guided by Irene on Sundays at 11 am.

Phone for information 987-4363.

Being Mindful

I'm now into my second week of using Guided Mindfulness Meditiation CDs by Jon Kabat-Zinn. I got Series 1 (there appears to be a Series 2 and 3 also, but they're not readily available) as a Christmas present a couple of years ago and I've listened to each of the 4 CDs sporadically. Now I've listened and practices each one twice. I particularly like the Body Scan Meditation and the two Mindful Yoga routines use very simple and restful stretches. The most challenging for me is the Sitting Meditation which starts by focusing on the breath and then expands consciousness to awareness of touch, hearing, thoughts, and then . . . being fully in the present. Well, I'll get back to you in a couple of weeks with a mindfulness progress report

Just found this website with reading suggestions to go along with the CDs plus ordering information for Series 2 and 3.