August 2-8

It was a relatively quiet week at Indralaya. The program that had originally been planned was cancelled several weeks ago because of health-related issues affecting the presenter. In its place, a simple program was devised that included presentations by Jeremy Berg and Freya Secrest of the Lorian Association, a group art project, along with singing and sacred chant in the evenings.

The smaller program size (with approximately 20 people) also allowed for some creative cuisine, including an amazing breakfast of Eggs California (poached eggs on a bed of English muffin, avocado & tomato slices, topped by a perfect hollandaise sauce) prepared one morning by breakfast cook Spencer Corley. In addition to overseeing the preparation of lunch and dinner, volunteer headcook Elizabeth McNannay also had the kitchen crew processing and canning about 40 pounds of various fruits (cherries, peaches and plums) that she donated to camp.

The week also included the first of two August full moons and a few days of pluperfect summer weather. We also noted the arrival of Lammas, which marks the halfway point between the summer solstice and fall equinox. In traditional cultures around the world, this harvest festival is the official beginning of Fall and it was just possible to taste a bit of fall weather in the morning air.

July 26 - August 1

the beginning

In celebration of this being the 10th anniversary of the summer yoga program with Melanie Whittaker, a medicine wheel mandala was constructed in the meadow this last week and everyone attending Yoga Week was invited to collect and place 108 objects in it. The 40 participants were also encouraged to complete 108 sun salutations (Surya Namaskar) during the week. The sun salutation is a flowing series of yoga poses (asanas) that begins and ends with the pracititioner standing in mountain pose with the hands held over the heart.

Sunday ~ Day 1

Why 108? The number 108 is a sacred number in mystical traditions around the world. In the practice of sacred chant, it is said that repeating a mantra 108 times completes a cycle. In somewhat the same way, the passage of a decade is also considered to be the completion of a cycle.

Monday ~ Day 2

Tuesday ~ Day 3

A Short History Lesson

The Yoga Week’s longevity is not unusual for summer programs. Joel & Michelle Levey have been leading a summer program annually since 2000.

This year, family week, celebrated its 18th anniversary. This popular program was developed by RoseAnn Dolan and Sally Blumenthal-McGannon. It began as a single week in 1995 and expanded to two weeks in 2003. Helen Bee and Barbara Bellamy began Deep Singing as an every other year program in 1998. It became an annual gathering in 2010.

Rolf Eriksen was the lead contractor in building the new Orcas Island Fire Station in 2001 when we sat down in his trailer at the construction site and talked about the possibility of a summer work week celebrating Indralaya’s 75th anniversary in 2002. The work week continued for a few more years before being renamed Connections in 2005.

There are many elements that keep these programs alive and vital. A key factor in their continuing popularity is that they continue to develop and evolve and over time.

Wednesday ~ Day 4

On Wednesday, a small group gathered around the mandala and chanted the Gayatri mantra 108 times.

Thursday ~ the end ... or is it?

July 18-25

“all is sacred, all is holy, all is spirit, all is love”

It was a full camp for the the Deep Singing program this last week. Every cabin was in full use and tents were sprinkled around the meadow as nearly 90 participants gathered. This popular program began in 1998 and is led by Helen Bee and Barbara Bellamy.

first night introductions at the Grove

“one by one everyone comes to remember

we’re healing the world one heart at a time”

Helen Barclay leads women’s barbershop

Among the week’s highlights were the women’s barbershop rehearsals and final night performance conducted by Helen Barclay. Helen’s connections go back to Indralaya’s second year (1928) when she came with her parents Gene and Viva Emmons.

Helen and son Steve

“I will believe the truth about myself

no matter how beautiful it is!”

fellowship staffers Laurie and Alise

Lots of gratitude and thanks are due to the fellowship and volunteer staff who did so much to assure the week went smoothly - helping with chores, cleaning bathrooms, prepping and cooking great meals, leading meditations, and on and on ... 

“Pauper sum ego. Nihil habeo. Cor meum dabo.”

July 12-18

a couch full of teens

The second family week sailed smoothly through sometimes stormy weather - punctuated by an extravagant lightning and thunder display on the night that outdoor field games were scheduled. The presence of Indra and his jeweled sceptre (with which he casts his thunder bolts) was manifest!

An outstanding aspect of the week was the presence of an impressive crew of teens - nearly all of whom worked on staff for the program.

kitchen crew

grounds crew at the Grove

Garden shed renovators

kitchen fence builders

Another highlight of the week was Sock Hop night. The weather was cool and a little bit damp, but the party in the teepee was cooking until the wee hours - well, at least until 10:15 when quiet again descended upon the meadow!

a stylin’ sock hop mixmaster

July 5-11

It was another busy week as the summer season gathered momentum. Sunday saw the end of the first family week and on Wednesday participants for family week two arrived.

Week One ~ Honoring the Teens

Family Week One leaves the stage

Week Two leaders Annie and Hugh prepare

Laurie creates a calendar

Week Two welcomes and introductions

Hilari, Jody, Hailee, Joe & Gabe

The Toland/Brown family

tent city

June 25 - July 4

It has been ten days since the last full posting. The first few days of this period saw the end of the therapeutic touch camps. As is customary, the second week ended with a fine display of talent from many of the participants.

t.t. participants gather in the grove

Big Jim

Jim Schultz was the master of ceremonies for the evening. Some of you reading this may not know Jim, but if you’ve been to Indralaya you are likely to be familiar with a song he composed on his first visit here in the 1980’s. That song? “Indralaya Calls to Me”.

Kathy charms everyone with her harp

Bev on stage

Family Week One began two days later, with over 90 participants attending. The week began with a gully-washer of a rainstorm that lasted all night and into the next morning. By Tuesday afternoon, however, the skies had cleared and it was a beautiful 4th of July.

The Monday morning centering circle moved inside because of the rain 

Head Cook Darla preps another delicious meal

Family Week dinner line

Family week dinner

girlfriends

vortices of youthful energy!

Tessa has been here on fellowship since mid-June

Laurie leads family campers in song

Press Pause

Beginning this week, new entries will be posted on Thursday's for the rest of the summer. Stay tuned!