Before inquiry, two things.
First, spring retreat has a nice little group of people ready to work together online May 14-17. You can sign up for parts, or all, of the retreat. Six segments in total. Come to one or all. Everyone will get the chance to do their own work in the supportive climate of being with others.
To look up spring retreat schedule and understand more about the daily program during May retreat, visit this page
HERE.
Second, I heard from the program director at Breitenbush. The June 2-7 Breitenbush Hotsprings Resort Retreat in Oregon that I’m co-facilitating with the good Tom Compton is (hooray) on the schedule for in-person retreat, inquiry and rest. Breitenbush is re-opening for business on May 8th. They’ll have plenty of time to prepare for us.
We already have a good sized group registered….but because it’s been so weird, I wasn’t sure what to say, do, or announce in advance on this one, you know? How bizarre.
Because of the strange uncertainty, we’re extending our early bird sign-up to May 7th and letting you know right now “Wow! This is probably happening!”
This may be the first time some of us leave the house since the covid descended. That will be true for me, most likely. Here where I live in the state next door to where Breitenbush is located, Washington state, they’ve just announced we’re moving out of lockdown on May 18th.
The good news is, full refunds will be given with no hidden fees of any kind if there is any cancellation or extension of the current facility closure to protect from the virus.
NOTE: We may have a separate online version of the retreat if anything happens with the covid thing and we’re not meeting in person. ALSO, we’ll be teaching in early December 3-6, 2020 again at Breitenbush and that retreat is already taking reservations. Basically, any changes, there will be no penalty, and you can even switch your participation to the December event instead.
Come one, come all, for an amazing adventure of this in-person retreat where Tom and I co-pilot a deep dive into self-inquiry with The Work.
I’m looking forward to the deep breath of pristine, clean, glorious air at Breitenbush….and knowing ultimately it will happen when reality decides.
I’m planning on being there June 2nd.
If you’re drawn to participate, we hope knowing the full refund offered if it’s cancelled will make you feel comfortable calling Breitenbush now and signing up to get a good spot for lodging.
Reality will show us the way of the future. Exciting!
To read more about the retreat, visit
here. It is best to call Breitenbush at 503-854-3320 to choose your lodging and confirm your stay. They’ll help you get your questions answered.
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So. I’ve heard from many people in this time of togetherness all-the-time for quite a few folks that some of their family members are driving them bonkers.
Another friend shared with me the domestic violence cases have risen fairly dramatically.
Yikes.
Lots of time together in each other’s space without lots of distance can make whatever was there already bloom a bit.
Or OK, explode.
If you’ve had the belief “they should be different!!!” you’ll know what I mean.
In the past few months, I’ve learned some things from one of my young adult children that was totally unexpected.
This child of mine, no longer a child because age 25 is an adult, wants to be called by pronouns they/them.
I had heard of this, been aware of the transgender movement, known young people going by they/them who were friends of my kids.
But once it was up front and close, it felt so personal.
Such odd thoughts came to mind, they seemed so dramatic. I surprised myself in my own reactions.
- this is tragic
- my child is destroying their future
- I can’t do it
- it’s so sad
- I didn’t do a good job as a parent instilling confidence in what you’re born with
- my child won’t get a job
- why would anyone do this?
Sigh.
It felt almost heart-breaking to hear all these thoughts and have all the images of the future, and sadness for the “easier” past.
What did I know to do, when I woke up in the middle of the night thinking “OMG! I have to write a letter immediately!!”
Then I knew….it’s not a letter I ‘have to’ write….as if my words sent to my child will change their mind forever and make it all go away.
[Thanks for explaining it all to me, mom, you’ve nailed it, filled in the blanks, told me the truth, and now I am no longer depressed or upset–LOL].
No, not a letter.
A worksheet.
Always start with a worksheet.
I am upset with my child because…..
Is it true?
Can I absolutely know this being is ruining his/her/their life? Making it harder?
Can I know it’s really “sad”?
Who would I be without my story?
Wow.
Can I actually turn this around and sit with the idea and awareness that this is revolutionary in a brilliant way?
Yes, I could.
Without my story of this as a tragedy, I see my child is alive, contemplative, seeking, reporting having a bit of an existential crisis, concerned about humanity, gender roles, sexism, violence and the earth getting destroyed.
The person they’re becoming is unexpected, fascinating, and very thoughtful. Fluid.
If this is FOR me rather than AGAINST me….I noticed it has little to do with me.
I remember well my own life at 25. Crushing depression, also angry at gender and other societal expectations and roles. Going through a horrible eating disorder (thinking disorder).
Learning. Getting pushed into realization, despite or because of my extreme thinking.
Turning my story around:
- this is incredible
- my child is creating their future
- I can do it
- it’s so exciting
- I didn’t do a good job parenting myself by instilling confidence in what I was born with–especially at age 25!
- my child has a job–to be free in this world
- Why would I do this (think of this situation as horrible)?
It only took about 48 hours and then returning to some new stressful thoughts to find peace, and even….joy and extreme curiosity (and there still may be more thoughts, and that’s OK).
My thinking should be different, not my child. My child should be exactly the way they are.
This being is “my” child.
Who would I be without this story?
Much love,
Grace
P.S. It really will be fun to see you and look at our very painful frightening thinking…like the kind that kept me up at night…either online in May, or in person in June. Who knows what fun horizons we can head into. The Great Unknown.
Spring Online Retreat info
here.
June Breitenbush Retreat info
here.
