Welcome to Return to the
Center, exploring your unique "medicine" for the planet.
We will be at Vajrapani
Retreat Center (http://vajrapani.org)
in Boulder Creek, a 1½ hour drive from SF. I will email
driving directions from San Francisco, San Jose (the closest
airport), and the East Bay (Oakland, etc.). We encourage
you to carpool (some participants will need a ride) and will
be in touch about that.
Please arrive Friday between
10 and 11am, to allow time to settle in. Lunch will be at noon.
We will end at 3pm on Sunday. Meals will be vegetarian (or vegan
if you let us know in advance).
Here is a list of what to
bring for the retreat:
- Clothing (dress in
layers).
Fall can be
rainy here. Bring rainwear for walks.
- Comfortable walking shoes
(The terrain to the dormitory is uneven. Also, it is
possible to hike directly up into Castle Rock State Park.)
- Slippers or heavy socks
(no shoes in the meeting room)
- Sleeping bag or bedding,
a pillow, washcloth, hand and bath towel; toiletries
- Blindfold, flashlight,
journal and pens, and a meditation cushion if you’d like
- You might want ear plugs.
You’ll be sleeping in bunk beds in one big room (like camp!)
- A sacred object for a
group altar
- Photographs of ancestors,
inspirational figures, mentors, spiritual teachers…you wish
to honor in a special ceremony
- An altar or shrine (a
box, cloth, vase, pictures and sacred objects (We’ll provide
flowers. Because of fire hazard, Vajrapani asks that you not
use candles or incense in the dorm. There are candles and
incense in the Gompa, where we will be meeting.)
- You will be doing a short
skit that pokes fun at or illustrates your "red wagon".
Please prepare your skit and bring any costume and props
you'll need. If you'd like additional characters in your
skit, you'll have time to meet with others who can take
part.
Vajrapani asks that we take
part in “work meditation”. We’ll have a sign-up sheet.
As this is a retreat, we ask
that you arrange not to need to make or receive calls. In an
emergency, someone may leave you a message at 831.338.6654,
which will be delivered as quickly as possible. There is a pay
phone if you need to make a call.
Looking forward to being with
you soon,
Spirit of Life Institute Staff
