Conversations:
Among 70 secluded historic acres of forest on Whidbey Island, The Whidbey Institute at Chinook facilitates programs and events that inspire practical and lasting changes in the areas of:
The Whidbey Institute is a place where people connect deeply to the natural world and to each other, renew their life energy, and engage in deep conversation and learning to imagine and create an abundant, sustainable and life-affirming future.
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Forming the Life You Want:
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The Open PathAwakened Presence, Effortless Action
A Nine-Month Training in Nondual Awareness with Pir Elias Amidon Beginning July 25, 2013 More Information & Registration Session I: July 25—July 28, 2013 The Open Path is a non-sectarian approach to spiritual realization. It is a path dedicated to the direct experience of our natural state — a state known as Pure Awareness, Selflessness, Nonduality, Oneness, Original Spirit, and by many other names. It is a process of natural enlightenment that belongs to everyone. To travel the open path does not require following a belief system or a specific set of esoteric practices or ritual forms. What is required is that we relax into the awake openness of our original nature, free from assumptions about who we are or conclusions about what is real. What is required is that we relax from compulsive doing and mental commenting and recognize the immanence of the here-and-now for what it naturally is. With this unadorned recognition we experience release from our insecurities, self-doubt, and judgments of others. As a result we are able to respond spontaneously to whatever comes up for us with equanimity, creativity, and with a kind heart. For more information and to register, click here. |
The Wild DepthsContours of Contact with Earth and Other
A Weekend Retreat with Thomas Arthur and Christian Swenson August 23 - 25, 2013 More Information & Registration This program is devoted to opening our creativity to the emergent depths of the more-than-human world, and increasing our capacity to "participate creatively in the wildness about us." This is a partnership of Thomas Arthur (Earthanima) and Christian Swanson (Human Jazz). "This we need to know: how to participate creatively in the wildness of the world about us. For it is in the wild depths of the universe and our own being that the greater visions must come." - Thomas Berry Many of us long to participate creatively in the wildness of the world about us. We sense a lack of vitality in our cultural disconnect from the rhythms, beauty and healing wisdom of our natural heritage. The Wild Depths retreat opens space for playful, intimate encounters with the organic and archetypal energies of our breathing planet. In a spirit of curiosity, reverence and mischief, we will descend into the spontaneous heart of Nature to practice ways of giving voice and creative expression to the hidden intelligence at the very roots of our being. We invite you to join us the weekend of August 23–25 for an adventure into the expressive aliveness of the Chinook landscape full of birds, animals, trees, plants, stones, wind, water and light. Together, and in moments of contemplative solitude, we will work with images, metaphors, sounds, songs, gestures and poems to bring forth the subtle presence of unseen Others carrying the wild wisdom of the living earth. How might the soul of Place speak to and through our creative human artistry? For more information and to register, click here. |
