We humans were made for relationship, for intimate connection with mountain and meadow, with raven and ruby-throated hummingbird, with every part of the animate world.
In our time these relationships are breaking down, unraveling. As a result we are losing both the outer world, with its beauty and rich diversity, and the inner world of mystery and soul. We feel tired and empty, casting about for a happiness that ever eludes us, hardly aware of the deep grief that lies buried, unacknowledged, in our souls.
In this retreat ...
We will welcome
our ungrieved losses
and begin to take time to express and grieve them.
We will listen
to the longings that rise up
as we wander alone
in the forest, on the mountain ridge, along the river.
And we will gather together
creating a sacred place and time for ritual and story,
for sharing dreams and dancing,
for music, poetry, and sacred symbol.
Together we will tend the soul of the world.
In this retreat, through our grief and longing, we
will return home to the world of nature and soul
that has been waiting, all along, for our return.
Leaders: Jim Hall and Cheryl Hellner, longtime members of Rolling Ridge Study Retreat have apprenticed nature-based soulwork through numerous programs with the Animas Valley Institute. They live and work at Dayspring, a 200 acre retreat center in Germantown, MD.
This retreat will be held at Rolling Ridge Study Retreat House, a six bedroom cabin in a wilderness setting near Harpers Ferry, WV. The retreat begins with supper at 7 pm on Friday and concludes with lunch on Sunday. Fee for the retreat (includes lodging, meals and program) is $220 (lodging inside, double occupancy) or $240 (single room) and $190 (camping, bring your own tent, access to all facilities, indoor bathrooms). Registration is limited to 16 people. To reserve your place, email lindsay.rollingridge@gmail.com and request an application to be returned with a $50 deposit made out to RRSRC and mailed to: Rolling Ridge Study Retreat Community, 120 Jubilee Lane, Harpers Ferry WV 25425.