Nurturing Spirit Retreat

Rooted – Connected - Growing  Feb 28- March 1, Samish Island
High winds and rain blew as we began our time of exploration on how we are connected, using the metaphor of trees.  A comforting dinner of burritos and vegan pea soup warmed us from the chill.  In the evening we greeted, shared expectations for the weekend, meditated and closed the evening watching ‘The Secret Life of Trees’ (available on youtube and vimeo).
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Mother Nature smiled on us Saturday, as we awoke to a glorious sunny day.  We meditated indoors and out, learned about the science of trees, sat with trees, talked with trees and learned how trees roots connect them as families beneath the earth.  We practiced four types of yoga.  Growing together as trees, Yoga Nidra, Hatha Yoga and Goat Yoga. Samish Island has four Nigerian pygmy goats who voraciously eat the invasive ivy.  Our meals were a sensory overload of tastes and textures.  Vespers quieted our souls and prepared us for tea and sharing in the evening.
Sunday morning brought with it the sad realization that our time together would soon come to an end.  We meditated, nourished ourselves with food and conversation, cleaned and then held our closing circle. 
With our roots watered and fed, and our hands outstretched to the world like leaves on branches, 34 of us returned home happy and fulfilled.
Below is a poem written by Lindsay Brown.

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