September 10-16

Here in the northwest, September 2012 has been notable for providing day after day of sunshine and clear skies. This weather pattern is expected to continue for the foreseeable future; perhaps as long as the Fall Harvest work party coming up on the first weekend in October.

 Meeting with Taiwanese students in the Dining Hall

On September 11, Joel & Michelle Levey dropped by with a group of their students from Taiwan. After a tour of the grounds and meditation at Madrona Point, they came to the dining hall where we shared some of Indralaya’s history and philosophy.

Over the weekend Indralaya was the setting for the 2nd annual Theosofest. It was a low-key and enjoyable weekend with a wide array of activities, beginning on Friday evening with a reception and spoken word event with local writers and story-tellers exploring ‘the labyrinth in time’.

On Saturday there was an open house and presentations on several different topics, including dreams, education, theosophy, meditation and creativity. concluding with Deep Singing in the teepee that evening.

Van Gelder brothers Arthur & Michael

The weekend concluded with a benefit pancake breakfast on Sunday morning. Almost $300 was raised on behalf of the Orcas Island Food Bank. Many thanks to all who helped make the weekend possible, especially Antoinette Botsford, who helped organize the Friday night program, Helen Bee for leading Deep Singing on Saturday night, and presenters Stanton Stevens, Leslie Schwartz, David Marshak, and Penny Sharp Sky.