Check the Schedule
for upcoming sessions of this workshop
Spiritual
Retreat for Animal Lovers:
Celebration &
Rejuvenation for People Who Love Animals
Who Should Attend:
Everyone who loves
animals, or devotes significant amounts of time and energy to their care.
Content and Purpose:
Something magical
happens when people who deeply love animals come together. I have often
thought that when I look into the eyes of an animal I see God, and when
I am I the presence of others who share this experience I am in heaven!
This retreat is a little bit of heaven! People who love animals and devote
significant life energy toward their welfare coming together in two of
the most magnificent places of natural beauty and wildlife habitat in
the continental United States: Cape Cod, Massachusetts and Big Sur, CA.
The purpose of the
retreat is to:
Joyously
celebrate both our spiritual and earthly connection with animals Share
the special stories and experiences of our unique relationships with them Acknowledge
the mutual gifts of healing and wholeness we exchange Provide
a sacred space to heal from the pressure and pain we often feel from our
work as advocates, activists, and stewards for the animals Clarify
and recommit to our personal and professional missions to help them Leave
with an expanded heart, an uplifted spirit, and a larger support system!
This is
a great opportunity for us to share and build bonds with others
who love animals as much as we do, to rejuvenate ourselves in
the splendor of beautiful natural surroundings, and to commune
with companion animals, wildlife and nature. Both retreats offer
opportunities for solitude in nature, healing massage, therapeutic
art, storytelling, music and vegetarian meals.
The
Cape Cod Retreat will be held at the Provincetown Inn, situated
at the very tip of the Cape, surrounded on three sides by water.
It includes an out-to-sea excursion to visit and communicate with
humpback whales in the Stellwagon Bank National Marine Sanctuary.
copyright
K. A. Zirkle ~ used with permission
The
Big Sur Retreat will be held at Big Sur Lodge, located in the midst
of Pfeiffer Big Sur Sate Park, and surrounded by 90 miles of Pacific
coastline. It includes hiking and meditation excursions to the forests
and breathtaking ocean vistas — often called "the most magnificent
meeting of land and sea in the world."
Highlights of Content
& Schedule:
The retreat is designed
to provide a balance of group time with others and private time for reflection
and processing. The activities and experiences planned range from light
and fun to profound, intense and life changing. We've created a schedule
to give you ample time each day to do your processing in ways that are
most supportive to you.
Private Time Options:
Simply
being alone to think and be Hiking
in the nearby sacred forests Walking
on serene beaches Meditating Journaling Sessions
with massage or healing practitioners Shop
till you drop! (We will provide recommendations for hiking trails, practitioners,
and great stores with animal items!)
Planned Group Activities:
Opening Ritual:
Who we are, who we love, and where we have come from. We will begin
to know each other by speaking of the animals we love and live with, the
grasses, trees and flowers that grow near where we live on the earth,
and by exchanging gifts of nature.
"The story of
my connection with Animals": We will use journaling, art work, guided
visualization and actual storytelling to document and share our deep and
profound relationships with these magnificent beings called animals. We
will refer to and work with our "stories" throughout the retreat. Upon
registering for the retreat, you will receive your first journaling pages
by mail (private pages, for your eyes only, to complete and bring
to the workshop) with statements to trigger the full picture of your story.
Sample statements:
The way I first
connected with animals was...
The significant
animals in my life have been... these are the gifts I have received,
given... what I have learned from them is... this is how my life is
different because of them...
What brings
me the greatest joy about being with animals on the earth is that...
What saddens/frustrates
me most about how animals are treated in our culture is that... If
I could wave a magic wand to change this I would...
I know animals
have helped me heal because...
There are times
I know I wouldn't have gotten through without my animal(s). I remember...
When I first
felt the spiritual connection between animals and people was when...
I feel it now when...
For me, loving
and be loved by animals is different than loving humans in that...
My role (or
roles) with animals has been to...
When I think
about what my role and purpose with animals could be I think...
Out-to-Sea Excursion
to visit and communicate with the humpback whales (Cape
Cod)
Animal Communication:
Using the universal language of telepathy, we'll communicate with both
our animal companions and the whales and other wildlife of the area.
Honoring the
gifts our animals have given us: We will create a special altar with
photos, momentos, candles and other sacred items.
Preventing and
healing compassion fatigue: We'll look at how to nurture and love
ourselves, as well as we do the animals.
Networking:
Sharing and learning about each others' practices, roles, causes, and
businesses, and special passions regarding animals.
Closing Circle:
Blessing of the Animals, Our Work and Ourselves.
Registration:
Tuition
for this workshop is $345.00 for three and one-half days.
Fees
can be paid by check or credit card. A $100.00 deposit will hold
your space.
This Retreat
includes a wealth of workshop materials, including the creation
of your personal storybook documenting your unique connection
to animals. If you want to be notified when dates are set, or
have more questions about the retreats, please e-mail
us.
For scheduled
workshop dates, check our Calendar.
For interest in future dates, e-mail
us.
Joyously
celebrate both our spiritual and earthly connection with animals
