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f.y.i.
August Book Discussion date change!
Aug. 15th
followed by a painting party at noon.
No Body Connection Yoga August 11th Save the date: Sept. 19th Native American Day Book Discussion: Crossing to AvalonSept. 26th
Save the date:
Oct. 22 - 23rd
Moon Circle
Hiking Adventure
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Please be patient, we are in the process of transferring our website to a new host and some of the calendar info is outdated or incorrect. If you have any questions about our calendar, please either call the Inn or go to our Google calendar.
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This book is rich with ritual and prayer practice to fit any of the
"cups" of your life... the broken cup, the open cup, the cup of
sadness, the empty cup, the cup of compassion, the cup full to
overflowing. Joyce Rupp is a favorite author at The Gathering Inn.
Other books by Rupp include: Prayers to Sophia, The Star in My Heart (both
books about her connection to the Divine Feminine), Praying our Goodbyes.. a book about grief, and two books we use often in retreat
planning... The Circle of Life and The Cosmic Dance. Everyone will find a nugget of light
and truth in her writing that speaks directly to your heart.
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The Gathering Inn
Women Helping Women
August 2, 2010
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Coincidence
by Deb Tambeau
Back in the 1990's the movie, My Big Fat Greek Wedding, came out and was a huge hit. For those of you
who saw it you may remember that the father was always giving the
definitions of words, in which he would invariably trace the root
back to Greek origins. With this in mind I would like to expound upon
the definition of the word "coincidence," which is in fact
derived from the Greek language.
According to Webster's Dictionary
coincidence is defined as being in the same place, or happening at
the same time. In everyday vernacular we tend to use word to
describe an unexplainable event with random overtones. However, the
true meaning of the word implies that the events were intended to
occur as opposed to occurring by chance. Given that definition,
which I adhere to, I'd like to share a true coincidence that recently
occurred in my life involving my dog Buddy.
Buddy is a 6 year old Lab/Border
Collie mix that we got as a rescue dog. He has a very sweet nature
but has some behaviors that have led me to believe that he may have
been abused or neglected in his life. One particular behavior
involves his inability to let people leave the house. During the 5
years he has been with us we have tried to break him of the habit of
chasing people out the door. It wasn't until about a month ago, when
he nipped a friend as he was leaving, that I really became concerned
to the point as to whether or not we could keep him. Being an animal
lover, a decision of this magnitude was overwhelming. I knew that my
children would be devastated as well. But something had to be done
and fast. After consulting with several friends I decided the best
decision was to spend some one on one time with Buddy away from all
distractions to meditate and pray for direction.
So, off we went for a weekend to
my house in Maine. As I was driving along I began putting my
thoughts, fears and concerns out into the universe, and then I
remember entering into a time of silence. It was during this time
that the thought came to me that I should do Reiki on Buddy. Reiki,
is an ancient Eastern practice, involving the release of negative
energy by opening the chakras. I have both been a recipient and a
practitioner of this healing modality so I know that it works, but
would it work on a dog? I have to say that I felt some skepticism
and doubt, but decided that when we got to Maine I would set the
stage for a Buddy's first session. However, before I even got to my
house, all doubts were vanquished. You see, as I was driving and
deep in thought, I was "cut-off," in traffic by someone
driving a small black pickup truck, with a bumper stick which read
"has your companion asked you for Reiki yet?" and on it was
a picture of a Labrador retriever.
Coincidence? You bet!! The
universe heard and responded. Buddy is still with us and and no
longer holds our guests hostage.
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Music of the Spirit
OPEN MIC
Sunday, August 22, 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM-ish
Music is indeed the language of the Spirit, so following a wonderful
Solstice Sing for Peace on June 21st, our musicians, drummers, and
singers wanted MORE! There is something about making music together
that powerfully connects our souls to Divine Spirit. So, we are going to
gather every few months with a definite start time and a little bit of a
loose end time, start making music and just let it flow until we're
done.
Everyone can feel free to come when they can and leave
when they must. There will be no formal program, more like an open mic
event, giving everyone a chance to offer their musical gifts. Just let
us know if you want to offer something so that we can plan a little
bit. If you decide at the last minute, come anyway.
There will
be no cost for these Music of the Spirit events but an offering will be
appreciated to cover expenses (heat, lights, etc.)
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Yentl
Movie Night, August 6th at 7pm
 Barbra Streisand made her directorial debut with this 1983 adaptation of the Isaac Bashevis Singer story about a young Eastern European woman (Streisand) who disguises herself as a male at the turn of the century in order to get an education. Great acting, sweet story, lots of culture and absolutely fabulous music! Buy the movie and support the Inn!
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Potluck and Meditation
August 11th at 6:30PM
Please join us at the Inn Wednesday evening and unwind from the busyness of life with some good food and good conversation.
Following dinner we will transition to the Gathering Room for a thirty minute guided meditation.
Take some time this month just for you and reconnect to yourself and your spiritual center. |
Moon Circle Adventure #3
"Connect with Creation"
Kayaking Retreat
August 14th at 7:00am - 5pm
We have again teamed up with Active By Nature to provide this unique way to rejuvenate ourselves and connect with the natural world, while enjoying the wonder of using our bodies to be active.
Often we are so busy thinking or talking while being in nature that we fail to appreciate the subtlety, mystery and beauty of the natural world that surrounds us. This kayak journey is designed to offer a full immersion in nature that supports our inner journey so that we can see more clearly who we are, and listen to the deeper calling of our heart.
It is a simple way to get out of the daily routine of life, turn into ourselves, into our spirits and into the beauty of this natural world. It is a way to relax the mind, re-energize the body, and nourish the spirit. A true time of re-creation.
The day begins at The Gathering Inn with a 7:00 AM Yoga class to stretch and warm up the body, followed by a yummy breakfast and safety information. We will then transport everyone to Tully Dam in Royalston, MA, have a time of instruction for first time kayakers, spend some time on the lake, stop for lunch, hike up to Spirit Falls (optional), paddle back to the launch area and return to The Gathering Inn for a group discussion of the experience.
Cost: $65: includes yoga, breakfast (bring your own lunch), guided trip, transportation to and from destination. For rental of kayak and gear, please add $20. You can make it a real weekend get-away and stay overnight at The Gathering Inn Friday night, Saturday night, or both. Please add $65 for one night (includes meals) or $100 for both nights.
Registration deadline extended to Aug. 6th.
Space limited, register early.
NOTE: We are offering a second identical trip on Sept. 11th. (Friday night overnight not available on 9/10.) Registration deadline Sept. 1st. |
Ahab's Wife:
Or, The Star-Gazer: A Novel
August 15th at 9:30am
Please join us Sunday, August 8th for the conclusion of our discussion of Ahab's Wife: Or, The Star-gazer: A Novel by Sena Jeter Naslund. We will be reading from the beginning of Chapter 79 until the end of the book. "As Ina was watching raindrops fall into the sea, she thought: 'So some mystics say it is with the soul: we are the individual drops; at death, our boundaries all dissolved, we join the oneness. Salvation, home, is universal; as natural as rain joining the ocean.'"Buy the book from Amazon.com and support the Inn. Looking Ahead: September's Book ~ Crossing to Avalon the autobiography of Jean Shinoda Bolen's search for the Divine Feminine. 9/26/10 9:30am |
The Faith Club
August 26th at 7:00pm
Our second recent discussion of The Faith Club book Cover of the Faith Club  | was lively and
intense. Deep matters of beliefs, questions, traditions, doubts, and
understandings were explored. This is a group where it is okay to
disagree in love, challenge our own long-held beliefs, seek common
Truth, and discover what that might mean to YOU, ask the questions you
can't ask anywhere else. What is YOUR current understanding of
Truth? What tenets or doctrines are foundational for you and what
ones can be open? Have those things been changing over the last few
years? If so, this might be the group for you.
While we are
using The Faith Club book as a jumping off
place, it is only that. We hope to have members of many faith
communities join us from time to time, new books suggested, free flowing
conversation. Be a part of this lively group of seekers.
Since we are using The Faith Club only as our starting inspiration, we are looking to rename our discussion group and are asking for your help. Please email us with your suggestions!
Buy the book from Amazon.com and support the Inn!
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Tend and Befriend
Breast Cancer Circle October 21, 7 PM
We are beginning a new
monthly sacred circle for any woman who has been touched by breast
cancer. We will be meeting on Thursday, October 21st, at 7:00 PM and
from there, by general consensus, decide the time and day of the
on-going meetings. We hope to offer empathetic support,
encouragement, and laughter along with speakers, information about
local resources, and best of all, information from those of us who
have "been there-done that!" What to eat when you want to
throw up! How to be beautiful and bald! How to forgive your body!
Exploring the changes to your soul as well as your body.
Celebrate what cancer can NOT take from us!
We would appreciate a
$5.00 donation for this meeting if possible to offset the costs, but
don't stay away if you can't afford that, come anyway and bring a
friend.
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Our Affiliates
Each of these affiliated businesses are independent
of The Gathering Inn, however they also offer their practices and
programs at and through the Inn. Their missions and purposes are in
alignment with the mission and purpose of The Gathering Inn, to promote
total health and wellness through various modalities, particularly for
women.
Anne Goewey,
Registered
Yoga Teacher, JumpStart!
js2health@gmail.com
978-928-4844
Anne M. Porcella
RMT, IARP,
Reiki Practitioner, The Reiki Room
anneporcella@gmail.com
508-615-3149
Expressions UnlimitedPhyllis Pomerleau, Chris Bergquist
Therapeutic Yoga; Grief
Recovery; Wholistic Health Coaching; Stress Reduction; Prepare for
Surgery, Heal Faster(c); Private Voice, Piano and Guitar Instruction;
and much more! 978-464-2433
www.expressionsunlimited.org |
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The Gathering Inn is a place for women to step out of the busyness of life and connect to their spiritual center.
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