Someone the other day who lives in Seattle asked me….what’s Breiten-bosch?
I forget that even if you live here in the Pacific northwest, you may have no idea what Breitenbush is, or where.
And, you may even have heard a few things you aren’t so sure about. Like Clothing-Optional mineral soaking pools.
OMG, I’ll talk about that in a minute. (Yikes)!
Breitenbush HotSprings Resort and Conference Center is a place located deep in the heart of the Oregon Cascades where underground thermal springs have surfaced and provided heated pools for decades.
Last year, someone said “I can’t believe how beautiful this place is, I thought it would be two hot tubs at the end of a dusty road, with some tree-huggers living in a tent.”
LOL.
Far from it.
Breitenbush is a place with a grand lodge, perfectly kept grounds including gardens of flowers and edibles, pathways and trails, a hard-working staff, and an entire catalogue of retreats, workshops and health-related programs for anyone who is a guest.
You can get a massage, take a yoga class, visit the meditation quiet-zone sanctuary, hike into the old growth emerald forest, and enjoy a cozy cabin with comfortable beds, built in cabinets, beautiful hot radiators, a desk and lamp and electricity, and a short trip to the men’s or women’s bathhouse to enjoy naturally heated showers.
And yes, it’s true. There are all-gender clothing-optional soaking pools in their own private areas for those who wish to take in the hot healing waters.
But no one has to go naked, or even go in the hot pools at all. Swimsuits are worn by many. Old-timers and their families tend not to.
You get to choose what’s comfortable for you on your time off during our workshop when the natural sauna or hot pools beckon. Not everyone comes for the waters.
If you’re not really a hot-tub person (I’m not) then we might find you down by the rushing river sitting in Adirondack chairs in the sun, or journaling on dark green moss in the forest.
And oh the meals. So delicious.
Mostly organic, all vegetarian and such a wonderful variety: salads, soups, hot dishes, rice, fruits. Anyone with special diets are accommodated (you tell them when you sign up). You’ll need to bring your own caffeine (lots of french presses and bottles of cream are in the community kitchen station). But you need not be ashamed if you do.
Why we really come to Breitenbush in June, is for the mental health that happens along with the physical health.
We’re there to do the powerful process of self-inquiry known as The Work. It renews mind, feeling, body and spirit.
Now, remember when I said “YIKES!” when mentioning clothing-optional soaking pools?
Once upon a time, there was a scary story for me about those clothing-optional pools.
Six years ago, someone composed a letter that got sent to a few administrative powers-that-be claiming that counseling-in-the-nude was happening at Breitenbush.
Who was the “counselor” doing this? Me.
Oh my.
This caused fear-and-terror, then a little sadness, and eventually a giggle.
Just in case your imagination runs wild at the idea of mental health counseling happening in the nude, please know that the pools are for your private, personal time at Breitenbush. They always have been.
The Work of Byron Katie isn’t really “counseling”…although this isn’t the issue. No counseling or non-counseling, no “work” or program is done at the pools.
The Work is a profound way to identify and then question for yourself what you believe, particularly about stressful experiences in your life. It’s open-ended, contemplative, and allows wondering to occur, beyond fear and stress.
Just like it was for me when I did The Work on someone accusing me wrongly of counseling people in the nude!
Our work at Breitenbush doesn’t happen in the hot springs, unless it’s percolating within you quietly after our group sessions are over.
Our workshop retreat has its own beautiful space down near the rushing river…a truly lovely structure in-the-round that holds a large circle of people extremely well. We have our own private bathroom inside our round building and we gather in chairs or back jacks (you get to choose) with a comfortable carpeted floor, a white board, and a big projector for our movie night.
Our sessions are mornings 10 am to lunch, a 2.5 hour lunch break (time for a hike, massage, or a soak), 2 hours before dinner, and we only meet until 9 pm latest so in the summer dusk you can relax, soak again, share time with others, or head to an early bed.
But oh that accusation about naked counseling. Ugh.
It really did mention my name specifically.
And even as I remember it, I can still find the thought arising “that person shouldn’t have written that letter.”
Falsely accused! Ridiculous paranoid and jealous person! She was wrong!
Is it true?
So easy for me to see it’s not true, now. But I remember what it felt like when I believed it.
How did I react when I believed the letter-writer shouldn’t have accused me of doing mental health counseling naked in the hot springs pools at Breitenbush?
Defensive. Frightened. Freaking out with the need to make sure everyone knew how WRONG this letter was. That it was some kind of bizarre misunderstanding. That the person who wrote it was a weirdo.
But who would I be, who am I now, without the belief that this person (I since found out who it was, but didn’t know at the time)….falsely accused me?
I notice how clear and safe it was to be “accused” because it was all revealed very smoothly, caused no harm to anyone at all, and showed me who wasn’t supposed to be my friend or colleague.
It also showed me how deeply uncomfortable some people are with nudity, and how OK that is. It showed me how when I joke around, I can be misinterpreted.
Without the belief she shouldn’t have written the letter, I notice how words were read on a piece of paper, a few required steps were taken to respond, and it was over. I learned sooooo much.
And I still find the turnarounds for how it’s truer that she should have written that letter:
I learned how my credentials and my master’s degree were of greater importance than I knew. I could offer CEUs to other mental health professionals (26 for every retreat). I was completely up-to-date on all requirements for my degree and service. I met a fabulous lawyer who was so good to give me really incredible advice.
I felt more confident than ever, after that whole ordeal (which maybe couldn’t be called an ordeal anymore) was over. I felt the power of standing up for myself confidently, without shame. Steady on.
That experience was better than any personal coaching I could have received for feeling confident about my business.
And now, the Breitenbush retreat will happen for the 8th time. This time I’ll be accompanied by the absolutely lovely Todd Smith, who is so kind and grounded in his own work. I love his experience he shares with the world, and his knowledge and love for self-inquiry.
If you sign up soon, the tuition is still at the “early bird” rate, and I’ve heard while cabins are going quick they’re holding a few for our group.
If you fly from afar, don’t worry about having to bring a lot of gear. They supply sheets, blankets, pillows, pillow cases, towels and wash cloth. Bring shampoo and soap and your toothpaste. The little store has any necessities you might forget. The weather is a bit unpredictable (isn’t this the case everywhere now) so a jacket plus summer shorts or sundress. We were really hot one year. We were really cold another.
And one thing: you’ll be off the grid, outside of cell phone service (!) and no wi-fi. This is a time to unplug from the outside world, and plug into your inner life. Many people like to bring their journals, but we’ll have all the materials you need for The Work.
Who would you be without your stressful stories?
For me, without my story of false-accusation, I’m filled with gratitude. I’m clear as a bell. I’m open. I’m understanding. I’m trusting reality. I know who shows up are the right people and I can’t wait to spend time with you, opening our minds and hearts to the friendliness of life.
Without my story of someone freaking out about naked counseling being done at Breitenbush….
….I have a special deep appreciation for all the lessons, all the support this place called Breitenbush has given me.
Even when letters or words get written than don’t seem so friendly on the first read-through.
Learn even more about Breitenbush (and get their phone number) right HERE. Join the inner peace movement.
Much love,
Grace
P.S. If you have a fearful thought about what someone did, said about you, or wrote about you….you can question it! It might not be as bad as you *think*! It may be giving you some awareness you didn’t realize you had.
HI Grace,
I’ve not worked with you but I’ve enjoyed your notes and point of view a lot over the past month. I feel like I’ve benefited and I am grateful and keep looking at my calendar for when I might be able to dive deeper with you and the group.
For me I see the possibility that this person was expressing their love for the Work and wanted to protect it. Many of us have been hurt by ‘helpers, counselors, therapists” gone astray. The stories of even sexual use of others is large.
So for me I see it as someone being willing to stick their neck out to protect something they loved. They were willing to stand up and say no no more.
I know this may not fit with the work you are doing as I can’t say I fully understand it and yet I wanted to encourage you to see even more of what might have been happening for the tattler.
gratefully,
Maya
Beautifully said, Maya, and yes–while this person didn’t know what The Work was, she DID know about counselors and therapists going astray, which is so important to recognize. I’ve felt so much compassion and deep appreciation for her willingness to risk a close friendship in order to speak out the best way she knew how. Thanks for sharing this, you speak to a powerful example that’s very important. It’s so good that we have voices, and so important to write and take action if we feel something’s off or frightening. Much love and appreciation, Grace
Dear, Beautiful Grace,
I just love reading your Grace Notes, the most recent was one of my favorites. You are so generous in sharing your humanness and vulnerabilities and how any life experience can be altered by observing that experience through the lens of The Work. Love you dear one.
How very very sweet to receive your note. Thank you so much, loving you too. –Grace