Voluntary Simplicity

Voluntary Simplicity focuses upon our stewardship of the life-giving elements of Nature
-- their purity and our conservation of them.

SESSIONS:

Evaluation of our life-style choices in terms of fulfillment and responsibility: Writing sessions; sharing;
Three Voices; needs and skills; symbols.
Our integrity as consumers, humans and parents: Statistics & images of natural resource use & reuse; Vision Wheel and video.
Contributory roles in Eco-advocacy (high efficiency products, careers) and Deep Ecology (healing modalities).

THE FIELD OF POTENTIAL:

There is a great desire for a paradigm shift from the egocentric, artificial and self-sabotaging behavior of modern mankind to an egalitarian, compassionate, regenerative behavior---that honors all living communities of the Earth. This shift is already taking place within the heart and mind of the individual. An ecological empathy is evolving in its quiet way in business, politics, civic and residential development, agriculture, literature, art and health care. It is still in its embryonic stage. Thousands of innovations and investments are needed. The lessons of greed, selfishness and carelessness confront us, everyday. We know we must live interdependently---with all living communities.

The power of the consumer in the economic world of supply-and-demand is a great factor in the emergence toward sustainability. Through writing, poetry, art and meditative imaging this retreat allows our guests the opportunity to explore issues that are blocking a genuine desire to integrate being with doing and merging responsibility with fulfillment . Earthawake retreats explore various modes of coping with lifestyle patterns and present options in workability, as well as, ethical resolve. Investing in a healthy local and global environment completes the Circle Of Life.

The remote beaches of Cambria easily persuade one to expand and embrace nature. Our "earth-friendly" meals deepen that integration.

Learn ways to help restore our land and waters for future generations -- bring your heart to our Voluntary Simplicity Retreat -- and blossom!

"To see a world in a grain of sand
and heaven in a wild flower...
Hold infinity in the palm of your hand
and eternity in an hour..."

William Blake

Overviews of ecological issues, examples of environmental work being forged and areas needing attention will be presented. Discussion and freedom of expression are encouraged.

The innate oneness with Nature is respectfully cultivated in a pragmatic and intuitive way.

ACTIVITIES:

Exploratory writing or poetry (identifying inner voices/conditioning impasses; odes and winnowing toward your niche).
Meditation Imaging of desired reality (holistic Vision); transmuting issues and nurturing virtues
Deep Ecology presentation; Tai-walking; animal/plant postures; breath-work and mental release; heart-felt perception
Living Healthy (kitchen, sundries, laundry, yard); Earth-friendly shopping/ products; value systems (using "green" manuals)
Mandala or Medicine Shield image of one's life, with oneself at center (clarity of purpose & expression of self-in-the-world)
Entrepreneur work options and pet projects (with the Earth & species in mind)
[An Eco Tour of Straw Bale, bermed homes and sustainable farm/retreat is an optional break activity]

Retreat format: Presentations, discussions, focused activities and meditations are rougly ninety minutes each with approximately sixty minutes between sessions that are set aside for assimilation, rest, meals and exploration. Outdoor meditation and a field guide are optional.