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Coming Soon Events
Due to popular demand, we have added an extra day to this year's New Year's Retreat. Now you will have six days and five nights to rejuvenate for the year ahead.
Thatch Caye, Belize
April 24, 2010 to
May 01, 2010
Register by November 1 and Save $100
Our first retreat dedicated to couples! We take over an entire island off the coast of Belize for eight days of celebrating our togetherness. There are only enough rooms on the island for ten couples, so register early.
Egypt and a Nile Cruise
May 2, 2010 to
May 15, 2010
Come experience Egypt as few people ever will as we make special arrangements to be allowed inside the Great Pyramid and to get up close and personal with the Sphinx, things that are off limits to the public and have been for many years. These are just two of the many opportunities that wait for you on this deluxe five star journey.
We also spend seven full days sailing the Nile on a private dahabiya. A dahabiya is river-going sailboat, much like what we would call a sailing yacht these days. They were common in Egypt in the days of the monarchy (1920s-40s) when aristocrats and sophisticated travelers loved to cruise the Nile in style. With no motor (and the associated noise and fumes), this is a wonderful way to enjoy Egypt at a leisurely pace, to drink in the landscapes, and peruse the monuments and villages on the riverbanks. | |
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Dear Spirit Journeyers,
Thank you so much for all your thoughtful responses to the recent survey I sent out. I was deeply touched by the number and quality of your replies. I learned a great deal and have begun working towards implementing many of your suggestions.
As expected, many of your responses to the survey centered on the cost of our events.
I do want you all to know that I do everything I possibly can to keep the cost of our events as low as possible and still maintain a high level of quality. I want as many people as possible to be able to benefit from what we offer. Unfortunately, the very nature of what we do costs money. Our facilitators and guides are skilled professionals. They are not volunteers. Our journeys offer a chance to see and do things typical tourists will never experience. These privileges frequently cost a lot of money. Retreat center facility rental fees and meals are not as cheap as you may think.
That being said, thanks to your feedback, I am planning to increase the number of our weekend Workshops and to host these Workshops at several retreat centers throughout the United States. I will also be looking at doing more of our traveling journeys in North America. This will bring down the cost of the events and also reduce your travel related expenses. These events should start to appear on our calendar in the next 60 to 90 days.
What Spirit Journeys Means To Me
I certainly did not take on the work of Spirit Journeys with any grandiose ideas about financial gains. Spirit Journeys is my vocation and my passion. I have another full time "day job" in addition to Spirit Journeys that pays the bills.
With the economic downturn, I have used the income from my other job and my savings to keep Spirit Journeys going. I have had to cancel several of our journeys due to lack of registrations. Each time an event is cancelled, it can cost thousands of dollars in lost deposits to hotels, retreat centers, outfitters, etc.
So I am reaching out to each of you to ask for your help in keeping Spirit Journeys and what we offer alive. You can help by:
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Telling your friends about Spirit Journeys
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If you're planning on joining us for an event, please register (or at least contact me to let me know you are interested) as far in advance as possible. I usually have to cancel events around 60 days before departure. Knowing that there is interest will help me not cancel events.
Thanks for your patience in reading this and please except my heartfelt gratitude for your continued support.
Much Love and Many Hugs to all of you,
Calendar Updates
The 18th Annual Summer Retreat has been scheduled for August 2010 and we are repeating the very successful Tantric Tribes Naked Yoga workshop in June of 2010.
I have been working with our contacts in Egypt and have been able to reduce some of our costs. As a result, I have been able to lower the cost of the The Wonders of Egypt - 2010 journey by $400. This is a very special Egypt journey and is limited to 16 participants.
This Month's Special Focus
This month we look at medical tourism with an article by SoulDancer.
SpiritFund Information
No matter how you choose to support SpiritFund, with either direct donations or by buying items at SpiritWear, know that your donations and efforts are making a difference in people's lives.
Here is a comment from one SpiritFund Scholarship recipient:
"The scholarship that I received allowing me to attend gave me the opportunity to experience a truly wonderful, spiritual event that has left its mark on my heart, where it will remain for years. Attending this workshop has given me the opportunity to follow through on a goal that I've had for a long time, and has given me the courage to pursue other dreams and goals."
Donations and applications for scholarships can be made online at the SpiritFund page. On the SpiritFund page you will also find a list of Frequently Asked Questions that should explain everything about the scholarship program.
Total Donations Last Month: $335.00
Profits from SpiritWear Sales Last Month: $0
Total Income to Date: $2387.00
Total Expenses to Date: -$93.00
Total Net SpiritFund Income to Date: $2294.00
Number of Scholarship Applications: 24
Total Number of Scholarships Excepted: 5
Total Amount Awarded: $1950.00
SpiritFund Balance: $344.00
Medical Tourism
Did you know since 2003, the Medical Tourism industry is booming unlike ever before. According to patientsbeyondborders.com FAQ page, "the Medical Tourism market is currently valued at $20 billion annually. These numbers are expected to double by 2010." Ironically, as the United States crawls into the reality that it's citizens need cradle to grave medical coverage (currently enjoyed by our Canadian neighbors and most of central Europe), those who seek less expensive or elective treatments (or medicines) travel to other countries for their health care. True, electives are generally non-critical procedures in most people's minds. How do you judge what's critical? If you're suffering from poor health related to less than healthy habits, what may be an elective to some is critical to you. I know how gay men suffer from the effects of obesity. As a former obese (still gay ;) man who retired over 115 pounds years ago, I support men who are ready to retire unhealthy habits, weight and related stress with a form of medical tourism. I offer a powerful 11 night 12 day nutritional cleansing program on Hawaii's Big Island. Click for more details.
For example, how's your weight? Are you happy with how you look and feel? Do you carry a few extra pounds? Given our obesogenic nature, too many carry too much around these days. What about our tribe? Did you know gay and bi men are more risk of eating disorders than most! Click for more details.
Obesity is now a global pandemic. I know what obesity is from first hand experience. At 33, 5'7" I almost achieved 300 pounds. Now, one year away from 50 (weighing in at 165) I look back on those days to count my blessings. Blessings that I didn't suffer from a stroke, heart attack, accidents from sleep apnea or similar obesity related health risks. My journey inspired me to create and guide a life-changing program known as Release & Renew. This program, based on my masters in social work and over two decades of shamanism studies (and now - teaching) is my form of medical tourism. Join us to enjoy a life-changing tropical vacation. Retire unhealthy habits, weight and stress. It's hard to have any stress on Hawaii's Big Island. I sense Pele doesn't allow stress on the islands. Stress burns you faster than lava!
Click on over to the upcoming Valentines 2010 retreat. Explore how our work begins the moment you register for this event. Also note, mention this article when you register. When you do, you're registration means a $100.00 donation to Spirit Journeys SpiritFund page. If everyone books from this article, SpiritFund will be at least $2,000. healthier. (Based on demand, we have other dates available. Click to email us what dates work for you.)
Because our work starts the moment you register, by the time we all meet in person, it'll be like attending a reunion you've always dreamed of! Imagine a bunch of great guys just BEAMING smiles and running to hug and share smooches upon arrival! Between now and the time we connect, imagine a 49 year old gay shaman bowing in gratitude for any step you take to take good care of yourself! If you need help with retiring unhealthy weight, and can't afford a Hawaiian retreat, no worries. Call me toll free 888-332-2976 to explore an affordable in-home program backed by a money-back guarantee.
Safe travels!
Namaste
Soul |
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