11-17-2010, 12:00 AM
My trip to Seven Oaks
was wonderful! Check-in was between 3-6 on Friday. We all ate dinner
together from 6-6:45. The food was all homemade and fresh and delicious.
Much of the fruits and vegetables came from the huge garden they had
growing on the property. Then we had the opening circle from 7:45-9:30
where we did meditation, yoga and opened our heart chakra in this
beautiful circular room.
On Sat. we had breakfast
from 8:45. From 9:30-11:30 we "awakened our hearts" through various
poses and meditations. from 11:30-1:00 was quiet meditative time where
we spent time in silence. From 1-1:30 we had a silent lunch. That was
challenging but I enjoyed it. From 2-4 we worked on "restoring our
hearts" using various poses and meditation. From 4-6 more quiet
meditative time. 6-6:45 dinner. From 7:30 -9:30 we "joyfully let go
around the fire." There was a big bonfire and we were all encouraged to
make a list or have an object that represented things in our lives that
were holding us back from moving forward in our spiritual journey. It
could be anything like releasing guilt, or resentments from childhood,
releasing people who brought us harm or pain. Then we had the chance to
share about it if we chose to but that was optional. We opened the
circle by being "cleansed" with a smudge stick, then called upon the
powers of the earth by inviting the four directions into the circle. I
was in the north quarter and this is what I read out loud, "We call upon
the powers of the earth, and our Higher Power and welcome you to this
circle. May the fertile soil of the land bring us prosperity, abundance,
and the bounty of the land in this time of harvest." Then we all said a
prayer together. "We gather tonight by the start of the new moon, to
celebrate ourselves and our joyful release. May the next turn of the
Wheel bring us love and compassion, abundance and prosperity, fertility
and life." It was a very powerful evening.
On Sunday we had
breakfast then from 9:30-11:30 we gathered for "celebrating our open
hearts" and the closing ceremony. We formed two lines where we faced
each other and put our palms together London bridge style. For about 30
seconds we looked deeply into each others eyes then we would move down
one step to the next person until we had a chance to look everyone in
the eyes. By the end everyone was crying. Tears of joy! I'll tell you
Tiff, it was a life changing experience. Very powerful! I am so glad I
went. I didn't want to leave. I just wanted to live there!
was wonderful! Check-in was between 3-6 on Friday. We all ate dinner
together from 6-6:45. The food was all homemade and fresh and delicious.
Much of the fruits and vegetables came from the huge garden they had
growing on the property. Then we had the opening circle from 7:45-9:30
where we did meditation, yoga and opened our heart chakra in this
beautiful circular room.
On Sat. we had breakfast
from 8:45. From 9:30-11:30 we "awakened our hearts" through various
poses and meditations. from 11:30-1:00 was quiet meditative time where
we spent time in silence. From 1-1:30 we had a silent lunch. That was
challenging but I enjoyed it. From 2-4 we worked on "restoring our
hearts" using various poses and meditation. From 4-6 more quiet
meditative time. 6-6:45 dinner. From 7:30 -9:30 we "joyfully let go
around the fire." There was a big bonfire and we were all encouraged to
make a list or have an object that represented things in our lives that
were holding us back from moving forward in our spiritual journey. It
could be anything like releasing guilt, or resentments from childhood,
releasing people who brought us harm or pain. Then we had the chance to
share about it if we chose to but that was optional. We opened the
circle by being "cleansed" with a smudge stick, then called upon the
powers of the earth by inviting the four directions into the circle. I
was in the north quarter and this is what I read out loud, "We call upon
the powers of the earth, and our Higher Power and welcome you to this
circle. May the fertile soil of the land bring us prosperity, abundance,
and the bounty of the land in this time of harvest." Then we all said a
prayer together. "We gather tonight by the start of the new moon, to
celebrate ourselves and our joyful release. May the next turn of the
Wheel bring us love and compassion, abundance and prosperity, fertility
and life." It was a very powerful evening.
On Sunday we had
breakfast then from 9:30-11:30 we gathered for "celebrating our open
hearts" and the closing ceremony. We formed two lines where we faced
each other and put our palms together London bridge style. For about 30
seconds we looked deeply into each others eyes then we would move down
one step to the next person until we had a chance to look everyone in
the eyes. By the end everyone was crying. Tears of joy! I'll tell you
Tiff, it was a life changing experience. Very powerful! I am so glad I
went. I didn't want to leave. I just wanted to live there!