June, l996 Volume VII, Number 6
For our June Retreat we have chosen the topic of 'Death and Dying'. While not the most popular on a list of subjects, in fact it is one that is often avoided, or postponed until it naturally arises and forces its consideration. One might say that it is always a timely topic for we are always faced with its certainty. Most of us are of an age that we have experienced the loss of persons close to us, have aging family and friends, and are more aware of our own mortality. It is a subject which influences our thought and poses questions which deserve conscious attention in a spiritual context. So at a time of year when we can lean on the abundance of the earth to uplift our spirits, we will explore the ways that death and dying weave themselves into our spiritual journey.
We will begin with discussion about what we think about death, where our vision has come from, and how it has helped us, or not, during encounters with death. We will look to our ancestors and how we place them in our view of reality. Whether familial or spiritual, they are our roots in tradition and spiritual endeavor, our teachers on the path. We will do a kithing meditation to see what we can learn from this resource. We will consider how our how our reflections on death empower us, returning us to our spiritual path when we stray and enlivening our decision to be awake in this wonderful mystery of life.
The Retreat is scheduled for June 21st, 22nd, and 23rd at Knobs Haven Retreat House. Please pre-register, sending your intentions and $5 of the fee to Barbara Ballard, 2961 Rio Rita Ave., Louisville, KY 40220, phone: 502-458-6022, by June 13th.
"Celebrating the Arts and the Many Faces of Spirit" will be a gathering featuring many of the diverse approaches to Spirit that exist now in the Lexington area. A multi-media concert/event is planned for Friday night, followed the next day by a keynote address from Wayne Teasdale, a prominent modern thinker on themes expressive of the universality and unity of all spirituality. Then 25 to 30 workshops will occur throughout the day. Topics of these offerings will be detailed in a fact sheet soon to be available. A final informal get together will conclude the experience. All of this will be free of charge at the Newman Center on Rose Lane near the UK campus on July 19th & 20th.
These are some of the poems that we read at the May Day of Recollection. To
approach them in the same frame of mind please walk barefoot up a shallow creek
seeing minnows, frogs, fossils, rocks and dancing sun light in the shade of the
woodland. Then find a place to meditate quietly for a time. Then read and
enjoy.
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STORY WATER
A story is like water
It takes messages between the fire
Very few can sit down
A feeling of fullness comes,
Beauty surrounds us,
The body itself is a screen
Water, stories, the body,
Study them,
and enjoy this being washed
Rumi, from The Essential Rumi
I go among trees and sit still.
Then what I am afraid of comes.
After days of labor,
Wendall Berry from Sabbaths
How does the mountain move?
And you!
You want to move the masses!
Patience ...
This work is nothing new
Then hand it down,
And feel the mountain move!
Stephen Frank Smith, from One Step In
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DAY OF RECOLLECTION
July 19th evening and July 20th all day Saturday
Celebrating the Arts and Many Faces of the Spirit
We will substitute this Lexington conference for our regular activity.
To be held at the Newman Center on Rose Lane, Lexington.
"Celebrating the Arts and the Many Faces of Spirit" will be a gathering featuring many of the diverse approaches to Spirit that exist now in the Lexington area. A multi-media concert/event is planned for Friday night, followed the next day by a keynote address from Wayne Teasdale, a prominent modern thinker on themes expressive of the universality and unity of all spirituality. Then 25 to 30 workshops will occur throughout the day. Topics of these offerings will be detailed in a fact sheet soon to be available. A final informal get together will conclude the experience. All of this will be free of charge at the Newman Center on Rose Lane near the UK campus on July 19th & 20th.