August 18-24

This week brings with it an end to the 2011 summer program season. The program with Arun Gandhi ended last Friday. Since Saturday, Joel & Michelle Levey have been leading a “Dance of Change” workshop, offering teachings on mindful approaches to the inevitable changes that are woven into the fabric of life.

It has been a busy summer, with full programs and lots of activity. Eight programs, with average attendance in the mid-60’s. Which matches the average high temperatures that were a prominent feature of this cooler than usual summer.

Experiences have been shared, memories created. Many have expressed their deep appreciation for this place and what it provides for those who come here. New threads have been woven into the lattice work that continuously composes Indralaya and gives it sustenance as ‘an ongoing experiment in theosophical living...’

And after 44 consecutive weekly entries, it is now time for a short break.

This Week at Indralaya will resume on Monday, September 12.

August 11-17

There is only time for a short entry this week as we are in the midst of a program with Arun Gandhi, a lifelong advocate of non-violence and the grandson of Mohandas K. Gandhi. Arun has been offering insights into the ethical foundations necessary for building a non-violent world and sharing stories from his and his grandfather’s lives that offer examples of these qualities.

Chris & Arun, brewing chai in the coffee kitchen

Arun’s visit was arranged with the help of Chris Farmer. Chris attended therapeutic touch camps at Indralaya and Pumpkin Hollow Farm in the 1980’s. She was inspired to invite Arun to lead a program here because she felt that his teachings are in alignment with the peaceful energies of the place.

Peace to all Beings

August 4-10

The Connections program began on Saturday and continues through this coming Sunday, August 14. Over 70 people are attending all or part of the gathering. The program places significant emphasis on maintaining and rebuilding Indralaya’s physical plant.

Projects have included rebuilding Heather cabin, completing the siding and renovations to the resident manager's cabin (RMC) that began in 2010, building of a wood shed for the dining hall and construction of six new fire hose stations around camp.

Nick & Steve lay foundations for a new fire hose station

Marilynne and Petr at one of the new stations

the first wall of Heather cabin is raised

Michaela and Bryan working at Heather cabin

Mark & Ian work on the RMC siding project

new dining hall wood shed

Ed Abdill, the Vice President of the Theosophical Society in America,
and author of The Secret Gateway, is also here, leading morning discussion.

deep thinkers

young campers assemble cinnamon rolls

afternoon tea and cookies at the RMC

volleyball is an evening highlight

all for one and one for all!

July 28 - August 3

dining hall as art studio...

This week just over 50 participants gathered for an exploration of Creativity and the Subtle Realms with Deborah Koff-Chapin and David Spangler. It was a magical Indralaya week, weaving together art, music, exploration of inner realms and subtle experience, great food and open-hearted participation into a cohesive and joyful experience of community and emergence.

Minor, Julie, David, Deborah, Leonie

David shared his insights during morning presentations in the library, while Deborah taught and guided touch drawing sessions in the afternoons as the ideas shared by David were brought to life. Evenings included an August 1 celebration of Lammas around and over a fire in the grove. Lammas is the ancient Celtic harvest festival marking the halfway point between the summer solstice and the autumnal equinox. Many of those at the campfire observed the tradition of leaping over the fire three times!

teepee art alter

artistic impressions of the angel of Indralaya
(click on any image to see it full size)

ready for action

Captain Hook
One of the yoga week participants, Arthur Huebner, devoted some of his winter to preparing 108 salvaged hangers for use all around Indralaya. The hangers were installed while he was here for the program and they are turning up in all the right places: cabin walls, broom closets, rest rooms, shower stalls, and elsewhere. Thank you, Arthur!

sunlit canopy