Date: Aug 3 -Aug 8, 2012
Facility: 766
Register: Click here to Register
With friends you grow wings.
Alone,
you are a single feather in disgrace.
With them you master the wind,
but alone,
you’re blown in all directions
—Rumi-
Mutual Evolution is an opportunity for anyone who is drawn to a way of being that is transparent, open, and authentic. A way of being in relationship, based on non-separation. This is much more than a practice. It is a discovery, an adventure and a love affair. It is also a profound letting go of our need to get somewhere, to know what is going to happen.
It begins with our natural state, our natural state of presence, the openness of our true nature. We learn to recognize presence, to rest in it, to experience for ourselves what happens when we let ourselves be, just as we are. We leave behind, bit by bit, the impulse to control ourselves, to manipulate, to interfere with what is arising.
‘If we could really listen, there would be no suffering in the world.’ Byron Katie
We engage in this practice together, and learn to trust in this presence. We cannot see it or grasp it, but it holds us and nourishes us deeply. There is a radical intimacy here: we do not stand back from others or from ourselves. We enter into each moment from inside, without knowing anything. Untamed feelings may arise, deep wisdom may emerge-we are not in control.
In this new world, we trust in the intelligence of presence, the integrity of the heart, this awakeness that lives in everything.
We are willing to be with the rawness, the tenderness, the anxiety that arises when we are no longer protected or defended. We can say to our most difficult feelings, “Show me how to be with you.” We can listen to everything, without pushing anything away, without needing to defend our self-image.
‘Each friend and lover represents a world in us, a world not born until they arrive. It is only in this meeting that a whole new way of being presents itself to us.’ Anais Nin
Our capacity to stay consciously connected during each contact increases. We realize that we can let go of our own points of view and enter into the reality of each being we meet. When we are no longer afraid of ourselves and our own thoughts and feelings, we don’t need to keep interfering with the people in our lives. We can remain non-reactive when suffering and turbulence arise in the people we love. We can offer them instead, a basic trust in their inborn capacity to find their own way.
Meeting in this way, we are totally available to the wisdom, the clarity and the beauty that lives in each being. When the struggles and the misery that happen in our relationships fall away, we are finally available to a bigger field. We can make a natural contribution to our world, as self-preoccupation falls away.
How does this transformation, this awakening, happen?
There are three streams in Mutual Evolution. Learning to rest, to be where we are, to be fully present, to allow others to be as they are, is the first stream. It happens in the realm of Being, and it calls us into a deep place of allowing, opening, settling into ourselves. Discovering that we can meet, in this space of presence, and recognize that we are whole and complete as we are.
The second stream is what I call the practice of ‘penetrating inquiry. ‘ This is inquiry that goes deep, that allows us to work with the undeveloped and hidden parts of ourselves. When we are willing, these aspects of ourselves begin to emerge. We can listen to them fully, and explore the beliefs and stories they are carrying. Opening up these stories gives us a radically new perspective on life, even on our whole personal history.
The third stream is about integration and embodiment. We can bring this way of being right into the heart of our everyday life. An organic and powerful evolution starts to happen when we do this kind of work. We are not in charge of this evolution, but we can learn to support and nurture it. And we can do this for each other, by creating certain structures in our lives, in our days, that make space for a whole new way of being with ourselves, with each other, and with life.
In the space of ‘Mutual Evolution’ we step out of a solitary, individual kind of practice, into a much bigger view. We realize that we are all participating in collective assumptions and agreements, and that we can wake up together. We don’t have to believe any of the fearful stories we have been telling ourselves about who we are, or what life is.
When we join together, when we are really here for each other, everything is so much easier. We can stop postponing the authentic life that wants to be lived, now. This intensive is simply a place to open, with your whole being, to this precious opportunity. This is the time when you can awaken to a clear, loving, and natural way of being. At home with yourself, at home in the universe.
For more information about Shayla and her work, visit her profile on this website.
Structure of the Retreat
This retreat is being offered as a three day or a five day retreat. All participants arrive on Friday afternoon, August 3. The three day retreat ends on Monday Aug. 6, at lunch time. The five day retreat ends on Wednesday Aug. 8, after breakfast.
The work we will be doing in this retreat includes a dynamic balance between work that is structured and radically unstructured. Sessions include guided meditation and contemplation, dialogue, and inquiry, and talks by Shayla, Some of the practices are done in solitude, and the rest happen with partners and small groups.
This does not include the ongoing, organic practices that become part of your everyday life, that infiltrate themselves into your meditation, your work, your sexual life, your relationship with food, with money, and all of your interactions, and conversations.
There are 2 follow up telecalls after the retreat.
The basic cost for food and lodging varies quite a lot. Information about this is below and is available when you contact the retreat centre.
To register, email: info@JohnsonsLandingRetreat.bc.ca or phone toll free 1.877.366.4402
Retreat Schedule
Fri. afternoon and evening
Welcome session 4-5:30pm
Dinner 5:30pm-6:30pm
Evening session 7-9pm
Sat. Sun. Mon. and Tues.
Optional Morning Chi-Gung and Pilates: 7am-7:45am
Morning session 7:45-9am
Breakfast 9-10am
Main session 10-12:30pm
Lunch 12:30-1:30pm
Afternoon break 1:30-4pm
Afternoon sitting 4-5:30pm
Dinner 5:30-6:30pm
Evening Session 7-8:30pm
Monday Aug. 6
Three day retreat ends after lunch.
Wednesday August 8
Morning session and closing: 7:30-10am
Breakfast 10am-11am
Departure 11am
Participants are welcome to stay and have lunch before they leave.
Johnson’s Landing Retreat Centre fees
All accommodations at the retreat centre include meals
Administration fee for the retreat is $140.
If folks register BEFORE June 29th it is only $115.
A Private cabin for five day is $120 a day (+ Tax)
Deluxe option for five days: $600 for a private cabin with all your meals, plus the administration fee of $115 (if youregister BEFORE June 29th).
This equates to $715 plus tax plus Shayla’s tuition, which is a fantastic price
The least expensive option: $375 (camping which includes all your meals)
plus an administration feeof $115 (if you register BEFORE June 29th).
This equates to $485 plus tax, plus Shayla’s tuition,which is also a fantastic price.
There are lots of other choices between these two sample options.
Call the retreat centre for more information at 1 (877) 366-4402.
When people sign up they only pay the Administration Fee of $115 or $140. That holds their space in your Retreat. The balance is due upon arrival.
Private
Cabin (private outhouse) $ 119.95
Tree House (private outhouse) $ 114.95
Room in the Lodge (shared bathroom) $ 104.95
Tipi (private outhouse) $ 104.95
Tent Cabin $ 84.95
Campground (Bring your tent, bed and linen) $ 64.95
(NO cooking is permitted in the campground, meals are included in the price)
Shared (most have 2 singles or a double bed)
Cabin (has private outhouse) $ 94.95 ea.
Tree House (has private outhouse) $ 89.95 ea.
Room in the Lodge (shared bathroom) $ 84.95 ea.
Bunk House sleeps four (has private bathroom) $84.95 ea
Tipi (private outhouse). $ 84.95 ea.
Group use (3 people in single beds )
Bunk House (own bathroom) . $84.95 ea.
Tipi (private outhouse) $74.95 ea.
We have two showers outside on the deck for people
who stay in the Cabins, Tree Houses or are Camping.
There is also a Solar Shower in the campground.
Click here for more information about 'Mutual Evolution-Waking Up Together'Click here for more information about A 3 to 5 day retreat
