April 23-30

here comes the sun

Just this week, the earth again came around in its perennial migration to the place where the morning sun hits the RMC straight on. And so for another season the window blinds are drawn to protect against the wash of the shafts of light that come pouring in from the east.

behinds the blinds

The first program of the season arrived on the weekend. There were almost 30 participants on hand for a meditation retreat with Jason Siff, who teaches a practice of Recollective Awareness Meditation that is very fresh and compelling.  We discovered over the course of the weekend that Jason is also fairly conversant with the Theosophical tradition. Having been a monk on Sri Lanka, he was well aware of Theosophical Society co-founder Henry Steele Olcott’s role in reviving Buddhism in India, and he has also taught at Springbrook, a theosophical retreat center in Queensland, AU, that is similar to Indralaya.

Tim, Lily & Angelique Boyd during our recent visit to Wheaton

We also learned over the weekend that Tim Boyd has been elected International President of the Theosophical Society (Adyar). Congratulations Tim! Our love and good wishes go to you, Lily, and Angelique as you all embark on this new chapter of your lives.

April 18-22

Lots of pictures this week; most of them from the Easter weekend work party.

But first, here are a couple important announcements about upcoming Indralaya gatherings:

First, on Sunday, May 4, beginning at 4:00 PM at the Theosophical Society in Seattle, please join Indralaya residents Leonie Van Gelder, Minor Lile, Emlyn Walter Cruickshank, and other community members for discussion about the evolution of theosophical education and theosophical community through the prism of Indralaya and its many program offerings.

The second gathering we want to bring to your attention is the annual meeting of the Friends of Indralaya, which will be held at camp on Saturday, May 24, at 3:30 pm. The Saturday meeting coincides with the Memorial Day work party. All are welcome.

Jacob’s fresh bread

Cora, Lucas, Morgan & Robin

 Michael VG, pick in hand

new frame for porch entry at Kunz cabin

Sunday (above), Monday (below)

Just as happened last year (see the May 6-12, 2013 post) an industrious rabbit spent a couple days digging a hole in the ground near our house, then filled it back in. What is the explanation for these mysterious rabbit doings?

fresh green growth on the garden walnut

the new deck takes shape at Juniper

cherry blossoms

April 10-17

Pollen Laden Skies - Orcas Island in the Distance

(click on the photo for an unobstructed view)

A friend of Indralaya sent this picture of the view from her home across the waters in Sydney, BC. during the height of last week’s pollen release from the region's evergreens. The week was filled with the presence of Spring in all its glory and with the associated stresses that present themselves in the process of gearing things up for the busy program season that lies just ahead.

April 1-9

 Leonie loves meetings!

This last week seemed like it was filled with meeting after meeting: discussing the new ten week residential program, preparing for the upcoming Spring program season, reviewing the status of the several building projects that are underway, and generally organizing ourselves now that there are four of us in residence. It all felt curiously tedious and abundant all at the same time.

representing Indralaya at the job fair

Several decisions were made about the new Ten Week Gap Year program. For one, it is no longer the Gap Year program, and is now oriented towards anyone age 18-30 that is seeking to better understand themselves and their place in the world. We felt that continuing to use the ‘gap year’ terminology might be limiting in this regard.  The new name for the program is “Seeking Purpose in a World in Transition: A Ten Week Residential Program at Indralaya”. Additional updated information is available on the Indralaya website.

Later in the week, armed with the repurposed and retitled program information, Emlyn headed south to share information about the new program at a job fair co-sponsored by St. Martin’s University and the Evergreen State College. It seemed to be a fruitful time, during which Emlyn had the opportunity to discuss the program with faculty and administrators from both schools and several interested students picked up applications.

green car

Meanwhile, out in the natural world, an amazing profusion of pollen was pouring from the evergreens. At times it truly seemed as if green rain was falling down from the sky.  

March 17-31

 the national headquarters

Following a camp Board meeting at Indralaya on March 22, we left for a long-planned trip to Wheaton, IL and the national headquarters of the Theosophical Society in America (Olcott). We found the midwest still in the grip of winter when we arrived, with temperatures down to 11° (-11C) on the morning after our arrival. It was an enjoyable and worthwhile trip, during which we saw many old friends and had the opportunity to discuss developments at both Indralaya and Olcott.

Tim, Lily & Angelique

It was great to have the opportunity to catch up with the Boyd family, all of whom were here at the Connections program last summer. Tim is currently running for office as the International President of the Theosophical Society (Adyar) and is also unopposed in seeking a second term as President of the American section, so it was interesting to learn more about all of that.  Over the weekend, we took time to cross the state line into Wisconsin, where we spent the day with our niece Collin, who is a sophomore at Beloit College. Collin was at Indralaya on fellowship in 2012.

birding on Big Hill with Collin

Meanwhile, back at Indralaya, Jacob and Emlyn were holding down the fort while we were away. Jacob arrived on March 21 and will be serving a third year on staff as kitchen manager.

Emlyn & Jacob