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Annual New Year's Retreat
December 28, 2010 to
January 2, 2011
Sunrise Springs Resort
Santa Fe, New Mexico
2 spaces left
Through celebration, ceremony, reflection, and play, we will support each other in rejuvenating our lives with new energy and new vision. We will also be assisted in these acts of love by the beauty, power, and healing of Northern New Mexico's dramatic landscape and the traditional dances of the indigenous Pueblo cultures. |
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The Winter Soulfest Retreat
February 5 to
February 12, 2011
Sayulita, Mexico
(north of Puerto Vallarta)
3 spots remain open
The Winter Soulfest is much more than a winter vacation as we share together activities that will restore your body and soul back to life thus providing a greater sense of well being and vigor. From the moment you touch down in sunny Mexico, you will be physically, emotionally and spiritually transported from the hustle and bustle of daily living.
This special retreat is held at the Haramara Retreat Center in Sayulita, Mexico, just 45 minutes north of Puerto Vallarta. Haramara, a sacred Huichol word for "Mother Sea," offers seclusion, quietness and extraordinary beauty to create a spectacular setting for the inner and outer work of this week. |
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The Erotic Body
Of Christ - Part One
March 17 to
March 20, 2011
Kirkridge Retreat Center
New on the calendar
Join our tribe of queer spirits for a radical, playful and passionate exploration of the deep erotic wisdom at the heart of the Christian mystical tradition. In this four-day experiential workshop, we will free the teaching of Jesus from millennia of distortion, begin to heal our own shame and fear, re-awaken our erotic spirits, and celebrate ecstatic Christian ceremonies which unite us with the divine.
This is a workshop for spiritual and erotic adventurers: gay and bi men who are willing to question their beliefs, feel their wounds, and explore their own erotic edges - a workshop for men who are willing to risk joy. |
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The Wonders of Egypt
April 26 to
May 11, 2011
Egypt, The Nile and Beyond
Still 3 spaces left
A private visit to the King's Chamber inside the Great Pyramid...
A private visit to the Sphinx to stand between its paws, to place your hands upon it...
A private visit to the Isle of Philae and the Temple of Isis at sunrise...
Seven nights/eight days sailing the Nile on our own private dahabiya (a luxury sailing yacht)...(click here to see a video about life on the Afandina, our private dahabiya)
Five nights/six days at the world famous Mena House Hotel at the foot of the Pyramids...
An intimate group of fellow journeyers (a max of 16)...
There is no place on our planet like Egypt, and no better doorway into her mysteries than a Spirit Journey. |
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Power, Pleasure & Play
April 28 to
May 1, 2011
Kirkridge Retreat Center
Don't we all want to feel powerful? Enjoy pleasure? Be playful? Join Kevin Kortan, Kai Ehrhardt and a community of fellow explorers, where you will have the chance to explore how the dynamics of Power, Pleasure, and Play shape and influence your body-mind-spirit, career, and relationships.
Under the experienced and attentive guidance of Kai & Kevin, a safe, supportive environment will be created so that you can explore, and uncover, your strengths, challenge your unproductive habits, and help you open to new ways of being.
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Dear Spirit Journeyers,
With Christmas just around the corner, I've found myself thinking about gifts; thoughts of the gifts I want to give and wondering what gifts I'm going to receive. I'm still a little boy when it comes to Christmas and I love giving and getting presents!
The phrase "life is a gift" may be a cliché but the attitude conveyed in this simple statement is one that I've chosen to put into practice in my life. But to make it work for me I've had to go deeper than just viewing life itself as a gift. I've needed to learn that everything that makes up my life and all the things, big and small, that happen along the way are gifts too. I can't pick and choose what I value as a gift.
Normally we think of gifts as things we want or things that bring us pleasure in some way. It is easy to view life itself, and all the things that make up life, as gifts when we get we want or when things are "going our way". But when we don't get what we want or we get painful things, are these gifts as well? I believe so.
I'm not talking about having a "What doesn't kill you makes you stronger" attitude. Although this cliché can be true, I think this attitude leaves too much room for resentments or self-pity to grow. What I'm really speaking of here is having a deep and genuine feeling of gratitude for all that life brings my way, the good and the so called "bad" (I choose not to label things as "bad", but that's a topic for another time).
I have found tremendous joy, peace and freedom in living a grateful life. Grateful living has brought me joy by making every day filled with countless gifts; brought me peace by allowing me not to have so much fear about what may come my way; brought me freedom from needless, self-imposed suffering.
It may take me a little time to recognize something as a gift, especially if it is something that hurts or scares me in some way. But, with practice, I'm now able to see these things as gifts much sooner, and the sooner I see these unpleasant or painful things as gifts, the sooner I am freed from the suffering of worry, fear, self-pity or regret.
I invite you to try living a grateful life... after all, who doesn't like getting gifts?
Much Love and Many Hugs,
Howie
PS. There's a little Christmas gift at the end of this newsletter in the form of a discount coupon that can be used for any three future Spirit Journeys events! |
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Calendar Updates
So many of you requested an event designed just for single gay men that we had to listen. There is now a brand new workshop entitled Looking For Love on the calendar. Here we will explore those things that keep us from having a fulfilling, lasting relationship with another man and with the support of brothers, we will fearlessly dive headfirst into unlocking our minds and hearts so that we may begin to allow ourselves to love and to be loved.
The response to Hunter Flournoy's "The Erotic Body of Christ" Workshop was fantastic and left many participants wanting more! We are repeating The Erotic Body of Christ - Part One in March (this time on the East Coast) and in September we are offering The Erotic Body of Christ - Part Two, where we will kick it up a few notches and go even deeper into the Christian Mystic traditions. Details on Part Two will be on the website soon.
Looking for something special to ring in the New Year? There are still 2 spaces available at our New Year's Retreat in Santa Fe. Come release what has been holding you back and welcome a new future!
Our Winter Soulfest Retreat in Sayulita, Mexico (just 45 minutes north of Puerto Vallarta) is the perfect chance to break up the gray skies of winter. Through powerful restorative practices such as movement, breath-work and meditation, we will unwind the stresses and strains of winter and bring the juices of life back into our bodies and do it while basking in the healing energy of a spectacular natural setting. (3 spots still open)
Our second Wonders of Egypt Journey is from April 26 to May 11, 2011. The weather is still not too hot in early May, but a lot of the tourists are gone, so it is a great time to be in Egypt! If you're interested in exploring Egypt on those dates, register soon, there are only 3 spaces left!
Check out our Calendar of All Events for other upcoming workshops, retreats and journeys. |
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This Month's Special Focus
With some hesitation, I share something very personal with you. "Two Little Boys" is a story I wrote on my husband's Christmas card in 2007 (I have his permission to share it here with you). It may be a little "corny", but it expresses my love for Christopher and how much I appreciate the gift of the life we share together. I hope you like it.
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SpiritFund Information
As you can see, our scholarship fund is pretty low. Anything you can donate would be greatly appreciated by those needing our help financially. You can support SpiritFund with direct donations or by buying items at SpiritWear. To date seven people have benefited from your generosity.
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: $0.00
Profits from SpiritWear Sales Last Month: $10.00
Total Income to Date: $2567.00
Total Expenses to Date: -$110.00
Total Net SpiritFund Income to Date: $2457.00
Number of Scholarships Offered: 35
Total Number of Scholarships Accepted: 7
Total Amount Awarded: $2425.00
SpiritFund Balance: $32.00
"The scholarship that I received 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." - A comment from one of our scholarship recipients. |
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 Special Focus
Two Little Boys
by Howie Holben
Written for my husband, Christopher,
on his Christmas card in 2007
Once upon a time there were two little boys. When seeing these two boys, The Stars said to The Universe, "Let us put these two together. We know that they will laugh and love much together."
The Universe, in all its wisdom, agreed, but with one condition: "These two must first experience life apart before you bring them together. This way, when they are brought together, they may truly appreciate what they have found", The Universe declared.
The Stars were not without their own wisdom and knew the boys might need some inspiration during their days apart. So, without telling The Universe what they were doing, The Stars planted the Flower of Searching in each boy's heart to help insure that neither boy gave up before they found one another.
The Stars also knew that planting the Flower of Searching in a heart carried risks. Once planted, The Flower never stops growing, and endless Searching can eventually exhaust the human heart. But all The Stars agreed that this was a risk worth taking.
And so it came to pass that the boys lived many days not knowing of the other's existence. Some of these days were filled with challenges, some were filled with joys. But all along, both boys had a vague sense that something, somewhere, was waiting for them; that there was more "out there" than what they currently knew. So they kept on Searching.
Finally, the day came when The Universe said to The Stars, "These two are ready to meet. Make it so."
So The Stars got busy and, after several unsuccessful attempts, the boys' first meeting was set. The Stars and The Universe gathered around to watch what would happen.
When the boys saw each other for the first time, The Universe and The Stars recognized the shine in the boys' eyes... "Yes, indeed, these two will laugh and love much together" said The Universe to The Stars. "Oh, and by the way, thank you for planting the Flower of Searching in their hearts", The Universe said, with a smile.
Now, each boy's Flower of Searching grows alongside the other's. Having become entwined together, the Flowers support and strengthen each other. Instead of exhausting the boys' hearts, the Searching only serves to energize each heartbeat with a sense of wonder and excitement about what may lie ahead.
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