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The Gathering Inn
Women Helping Women January 24, 2012
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Happy Heart Month
February is traditionally "Heart Month", focusing on Valentine's Day, and romantic Love, Sweet Love. More lately, The American Heart Association has also rightly included a focus on physically taking care of our hearts through healthy living--especially we women who are at a much bigger risk of heart disease than anyone previously understood.
But what if this year, you focused on loving yourself? What if the heart disease you worked at preventing was truly heart "dis-ease"? What do you include in your day that brings ease to your heart? How do you take care of yourself--body, mind, and spirit? Are you your own best friend, or your own worst enemy?
This February, try this experiment. Write yourself a love letter! Actually put it on some pretty paper, put it in an envelope, and mail it to yourself. (Email doesn't count!) When it arrives, put it away unopened and wait until a day when you feel totally unlovable. We all have those days, you know. And when you do, get out your love letter and read it. It will remind you of just how wonderful you really are and it will bring joy to your heart. Then go out and bring joy to someone else's heart. "Be" the love you want to see in the world. |
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Merry's Musings
The Number One
Health Hazard of 2012
CHRONIC CONNECTIVITY!
Read this list of words and phrases and then check in with your body and see what's happening to your heart rate and your breathing. Constant computer connection - at work, at home, in the car, through your phone; Facebook messaging; posting on Twitter; texting; ring tones; Skype, racing against the clock; speeding off in the car again; fast food; coffee, family; deadlines; answer those emails; kids; family; stress; TV; noise; check your voice mail and email again; oh, no, I forgot my cell phone; hurry; what if they can't reach me? What if someone posts something and I don't see it right away? Being in a crowd of people and instead of engaging in conversation, you're in an isolated island of space searching your I-phone for messages, texts. You have more eye contact with your phone than the person across the table from you. How do you feel? Read the rest!
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Transformational Healing Weekend
January 27, 7:00PM - January 29, 4:00PM
with Anne Ciota and Pam Floyd-Ogawa.
POSTPONED - NEW DATE TO BE ANNOUNCED SOON
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Humble Heart
Yoga & Meditation Weekend
February 3-5, 2012
Offered by Sheri Rohr and Lily Sibley
The Humble Heart Yoga and Meditation Weekend will incorporate the practice of yoga and meditation interwoven with discussions about the true nature of authentic, healthy humility.
True humbleness is not about feeling lowly or unworthy; it is about knowing and loving ourselves just the way we are with all our strengths and all our places for growth, and loving others the same way.
We will focus on how--in this fast paced goal-driven society that encourages competition and individuality--we can serve ourselves and others from the strength of being humble. The spiritual practice of humility is not a thinking mind process, it is with the heart that we discover what it truly means to be humble.
Please join us for a weekend of quiet respite, nurturing, yoga, meditation, group discussions, outdoor (weather permitting) exploration, and delicious vegetarian meals.
The cost for the weekend retreat is $250 and includes 2 nights of lodging (shared rooms/bath), 6 meals and the weekend workshop/yoga.
Space is limited and filling up fast. Register today.
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Potluck Supper & Speaker Series
February 8, 2012 6:30PM
DISCERNMENT AS A SPIRITUAL PRACTICE -
When is a thought a "leading" and when is it just an idea?
Speaker: Jennie Isbell, Quaker Spiritual Director.
Spiritual Discernment is the practice of tending and attending the part of you that is most tuned in to God's purpose in your life. By examining your gifts, passions, life experiences, nudges, and even your frustrations, you may come to know what you are for.
Christian Spirituality offers many practices (accessible to persons along a broad spectrum of belief and practice) for deep listening for these divine nudges and also some tests to discern whether an idea is a leading (part of your larger calling) or just an idea. Often this is work is best done with compassionate companionship.
In addition to introducing some practices, our speaker will introduce her Ministry of Companionship and explore the possibility of starting Companion Groups for on-going discernment. We hope once you have met Jennie you will want to continue working with her here at The Gathering Inn in discerning your life's direction.
Please register by calling 978-820-1139 or emailing us at info@gatheringinn.org. Bring a friend and a healthy dish to share!
Read more about Spiritual Discernment and Ms. Isbell's extensive background, experience, and credentials.
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We Want More!
We have had some wonderful experiences with the recent presenters and participants in our Speaker Series and various Workshops and we want to give you an opportunity to tell us what you would like to bring back for another presentation.
On January 6th, we heard from Hannah May concerning colon health and she will be following up with a small support group which will meet once a week for information and encouragement as they complete a 21-day detox. The members of the group will also take part in meditation classes at the Inn to help detox their minds, and choose one of our Yoga classes to strengthen their bodies. If you are interested in learning more or being part of the next group, please let us know.
Then on January 11th, our potluck dinner speaker, Sandy Kahn, captivated us with her deep knowledge and her generous teaching style as she shared with us an overview of the three Wisdom Workshops she offers. We have invited her back to offer one or more of her workshops here - dates to be announced shortly. Check out her website and let us know which workshop is of interest to you.
On Saturday, January 14th, Dr. Esther Roy's fascinating workshop, 'You've Got Guts!' taught us the basics of how and what to eat to prevent or alleviate inflammation or disease of your intestinal tract. As a Naturopath, Dr. Roy combines knowledge of conventional medicine along with natural, holistic treatments AND she makes it fun and easy for a non-medical person to understand. The next workshop she will be offering here, Food as Medicine, is on the preventative or curative properties of nutrition.
Watch our Facebook page, our website, and our newsletter and calendar for information about each of these follow-up events.... you don't want to miss them.
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Soul Stories :
Writing Your Spiritual Autobiography
March 3, 2012 9:00AM - 4:00PM
Offered by Nancy Tusinski.
Since you are like no other being ever created since the beginning of time ~ Brenda Ueland
Autobiography is a powerful tool for personal and spiritual development. As you write your own story and share it in confidence with others, you will explore ways to sort out and discover who you were, who you are, and who you might. be. This process of honoring the truth of our own unique personal story is especially beneficial for anyone seeking new directions in life.
This day will include instruction on autobiography, some tools and perspective to help inspire your writing, and time to meet in small groups to share your writing.
Open to women of all ages and acknowledging that spirituality is defined individually.
If you wish to attend and are unable to pay the registration fee, some financial aid is available. Please call 978-820-1139 to inquire how to be considered for aid.
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| The Gathering Inn is available for retreat leaders and practitioners to offer their programs. And of course, don't forget that our primary mission is to provide individual women like YOU a place to retreat from the world, be in stillness and tranquility, and re-connect to your spiritual core.
We can't wait to see you at the Inn!
Sincerely,
The Gathering Inn
The Gathering Inn is a place to step out of the busyness and distractions of the world, to be in quiet and stillness, to be a bit pampered, and to reconnect to your spiritual center. |
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