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!