June 20-26

early summer campfire

The week began with the first full day of the Continuing Explorations in Therapeutic Touch program. Many of the participants in this week have been coming to Indralaya for years. Throughout the week there was a shared sense of gratitude and appreciation for the place and the presence of the subtle healing energies that have been cultivated here over time.

healing conversations

good friends meet again

The last evening of Therapeutic Touch is traditionally known as “Id Night” and one never knows what might happen when the id is unleashed!

Here are some scenes from this year's program:

Julie as a stylin’ red wiggler

Cordy shares the many ways to wear a sarong

a rousing chorus

As Lin looks on, Helen and Justin sing a mournful ‘Barbara Ann’

And so, with a short pause to appreciate the good memories ~

(pause)

~ the 2011 T. T. camps are now complete and the busy summer season lies ahead.

June 13-19

T.T. circles in the meadow

This week saw a transition between therapeutic touch programs as participants in the mentoring week departed on Friday morning and the ‘continuing explorations’ week began with dinner on Sunday.

The labyrinth has taken on a surprising new look this Spring with the explosion of tall grasses along the courses that lead to the center. Recent labyrinth walkers have been finding something quite wonderful about walking through the grasses as they brush against their legs and hands.

tall grass labyrinth

explore the mysteries that lie within

New Artworks in the Library

Two recently donated artworks are now gracing the walls of the library. The print of the madrona (titled “Grandmother Madrona”) was given to us by Peggy Woods, an artist from Montana who has also been helping with ordering clothing items for the bookshop. You can see more of her work at http://www.peggywoods.com/.


This watercolor was a gift to Indralaya from the Temple of the People, in Halcyon, CA (see Jan 31 - Feb 6 post).

With the departure of the chickens last year (see the November 15-21 entry for more on why and where), the potential opened up for new uses of the space where the coop had been. That potential has been realized with the establishment of a new garden bed, which is now filled with freshly planted basil. Staffers Lilly Falconer and Haley Nedderman planted the basil at night, under the light of the full moon.

beds of basil, planted in the moonlight

June 6-12

Buddha field 3

As the Indralaya year transitions from a successful series of Spring programs and work parties to the Therapeutic Touch camps that have gathered here in the later half of June for over 30 years, one cannot help but be aware of the continual flow of events, endeavors, personalities, and nature that are so much a part of the Indralaya experience. As this year develops, and as the years unfold, the procession from which Indralaya's rich tapestry is woven continues ever on.

Staff & friends: Wayne, Leonie, Crystal, Jake, Chelsea, Lilly, Haley & Tom

This week we said good-bye to Wayne Hunt as he completed his time on fellowship staff, and said hello to Lilly Falconer as she arrived for a stay that will continue into mid-July.

Mentors Peter Massey, Cordy Anderson, & Cheryl Larden
along with program coordinator Julie Benkofsky-Webb (2nd from left)

As the weekend arrived, so did participants in the Therapeutic Touch mentorship program. It was a real treat to welcome back Jen Edington as co-head cook for the week. This is Jen's first visit since she and her husband Mark left after serving as resident managers from mid-2006 to early 2010.

Jen and Mark have settled in Williams, OR. In addition to living with three (at the moment) English mastiffs, they are enjoying working for Resource Management, Inc., a firm owned by Elizabeth McNanny (known to many of you as a head cook at family week and other programs) that provides energy consulting to individuals, organizations and municipalities in Oregon and 7 other western States.

Jen’s beautiful rhubarb pies

Buddha field 4

May 30 - June 5

It was a quick turnaround following the Monday morning end of the Memorial Day work party, as people began arriving on Wednesday for the last program of the Spring season. By Thursday nearly 50 participants were gathered for the Self-Healing invitational with Robyn Finseth.

assembling for morning meditation

This was Robyn’s teaching debut, and it was one of those beautiful Indralaya experiences where everything and everyone seemed to be in nearly perfect alignment. The atmosphere was nurturing and supportive, while the weather was truly splendid, with a crystalline-like quality to the air and temperatures reaching into the high 60’s.

convivial conversations

In accord with the theme of the weekend, Robyn’s teachings focused on practices and techniques that were intended to provide participants with tools to help establish and maintain a sense of well-being, balance and connection in the midst of daily life. There was an emphasis on bringing awareness to subtle realms of experience in ways that are beneficial and healing.

meeting around the apple tree

Robyn describing the 'slither' exercise
(thanks to Mark K. for the photo)

On Saturday evening participants gathered in the teepee to listen to music offered by a Bellingham jazz ensemble that Indralaya friend and Dream Rancher Karen Goens sings with. The evening also included deep singing, led by Helen Bee.

I had departed from camp late Saturday morning to attend a concert performance by U2 with Steve Murphy (see Dec 27 - Jan 2). From morning pancakes at Indralaya into the midst of 60,000 music fans at Qwest Field that night ~ quite a juxtaposition to experience over the course of a day!

Joyful quesadilla assemblers Jake and Carol

Donna finishing up some pots

Meanwhile, back on Orcas, the Sunday ferry shuttle turned out to be a near-run thing. Just when it was time to head for the boat, the Indralaya van decided it did not want to go and refused to shift out of parking gear. Fortunately several islanders who were attending the program rallied and everyone got to the boat just in time!