Jordan's Blog - USA Retreat

Hi All,

It's been very busy here as of late, so I haven't been able to keep up with the blog as much as I'd like to. Well then again, maybe we all need a rest from 'important' updates on the Centre such as the instillation of the new shoe rack!

One thing is that I've been working closely with a team of people re-translating and editing the English edition of The Flight of the Feathered Serpent. In looking at it so closely as of late, I've re-discovered how much of an amazing book it really is. The Berkeley Centre made a large poster out of a particularly inspiring passage from the book a little while ago, which we got at the US retreat in the summer, and we have just had it mounted and then we put it up at the Centre here. I'll try and get a picture of that for you by next blog.

Also, while we're on the subject of the US retreat, that was one of the best and strongest I've ever been to. I found that particularly the awareness walks in such an ancient forest, as well as doing the mantras together in a big group really gave me a spiritual boost. I felt drawn to attend it and after having gone, I realized exactly why I had that feeling that I should be there. Anyhow, I figured since an official page hasn't been made about the retreat as of yet, I'd put up a couple pictures I took there for you to take a look at. Hope you enjoy them.

Jordan

Andy guiding a practice of the yoga asanas. Besides the extra-early optional meditation practices, there were also optional yoga asana exercises at 8am every morning during the retreat

A chat before taking off on an awareness walk

Look at those giant Redwoods...

A nice clearing in the middle of the woods where we'd stop to have chats and do some meditation exercises

Here we are kicking around a soccer ball, investigating how to practise awareness - to feel ourselves in the present moment, and to watch our thoughts, emotions, etc. etc. while playing around.

And here we are walking in the woods

An outside lunch just seconds from the beach. Here's Ruben and Alejandro (not really seen in pic) holding the menu and explaining what to expect on the buffet table.

And now we eat...

A bird flies over us.

Vadim takes a moment to admire the (Pacific Ocean?)

An indoor meal in the lunchroom...

Here's the famous Golden Gate Bridge seen from the extended van...

The sunburned trio: me, Ruben, and Alejandro back at one of the cabins after the day at the beach.

That's me standing on top of a fallen Redwood. I had a pretty hard time getting it to fall down for the shot, but if you are persistent, you can achieve anything.

Group shot at the beach