New York ( USA ): “Celebrating Our Immortality,” a weekend retreat, was held at Peace Village Retreat Center, New York state. Facilitators were BK Chirya, BK Tammy Hinkel and family, BK Cicely Greaves and BK Mary Beth Richelo. Special music was provided throughout by Ed Nizalowski, playing meditative flute music and popular tunes on the soprano saxophone.
With powerpoint presentations, the 4 themes celebrated during the retreat were: The immortality of the Soul, God, matter and time.
To experience immortality, a special gateway of immortality was beautifully created for guests to enter and remain beneath in a soul-conscious state. As guests passed through the archway they were to remain in this eternal immortal consciousness whilst silently returning to their seat. To continue this soul consciousness, a planetary meditation involved guests experiencing themselves and others as perfect eternal worlds passing silently by the other perfect planets in “inner” space. This also involved guests receiving their special qualities acknowledged from the other “planets” by writing it on a note attached to their back. Guests enjoyed learning what special qualities were seen in them by others when the notes were removed and enjoyed.
BK Kala, Director of Peace Village, joined to enhance the topic of immortality and was honored by being the first participant to walk through the “whisper tunnel.” Blindfolded, she and each guest individually were carefully led through the tunnel as each guest in the line whispered their personal blessing or virtue, which was recorded on a flip chart for all to enjoy.
A former beloved retreat facilitator, Carrie Dugo, who left the body this year, was lovingly honored for her magical specialty of teaching and utilizing the spiritual lessons of walking the labyrinth. This was followed by guests enjoying the outdoor treasure hunt searching for hidden virtue rocks.
BK Ram, Senior Rajayoga Teacher, joined us with a loving presentation of Being in God’s Heart.
To conclude, BK Dorothy, Programs Director of Peace Village, joined to share and give blessings and toli (sweet) to each guest along with BK Chirya.
The understanding that “Death is not born and Life never dies” created in each guest a feeling of experiencing their original eternal and immortal self.
