Calendar of Retreats and Programs at Spirit Mountain Retreat, Idyllwild, California

JANUARY
Note: Programs will take place at Spirit Mountain Retreat unless otherwise indicated.

January 9 Day of Mindfulness 9:30 – 3pm
Theme: Joyful Wisdom: We always have Joy

You will succeed if you persevere; and you will find a joy in overcoming obstacles. --Helen Keller

lotus The practice of mindfulness is a gift to your own soul and strengthens a sense of well-being. Gather with others to learn mindful practices that help train and calm the mind. We remember and wake up to the fact that this NOW moment is the only moment we have. It is a blessed and graced moment!

Share in a day of contemplative stillness, mindfulness practice, and soulful sharing. Lunch is enjoyed in silence.

Date: Monday, January 9
Time: 9:30 am – 3pm. (lunch included)
Suggested Donation: $25 - $35
Facilitator: Esther Kennedy
Registration: Call Spirit Mountain Retreat 951-659-2523
Email:

January 21 - 22
Woman’s Retreat: The Search for the Feminine Face of God ~
She Who Hears the Cries of the World

There was a time when the life-giving principle of the feminine was honored and respected. There was a time when the feminine was experienced as One Unto Herself. There was a time when violence and the erotic were not bound together.

This is the time to cultivate the qualities of the Divine Feminine ~
Wisdom, Justice, Beauty, Harmony and Compassion.

Across the planet she was named Gaia, Earth Mother, Goddess. We know her by many names Tara, Quan Yin, Kwan Yin, Isis, Oshun, Yemaya, Oya, Kali, Durga, Athena, Demeter, Black Madonna, Tonansin and so many others.

The search often takes us into the darkness, spiraling down within us to the heart of our own story where She, the Beloved, dwells. We will welcome and entertain the Divine Feminine with ritual, dance, writing, creative expression and laughter.

Date: January 21 - 22
Time: Saturday 10am – Sunday 12:30pm
Fee: $200 includes retreat, meals, private room at Spirit Mountain Retreat
Commuter Fee: $125 for retreat and meals.
Deposit: $50 by November 10th (Retreat limited to 12 Participants)
Registration: Call 951-659-2523 or email

Facilitator: Esther Kennedy, enjoys creating retreats for women, especially drawing upon Myth and Story as a way into living our lives with greater depth and joy. Her journeys to India and Indonesia have awakened in her a deep sense of the sacred. Esther is a Dominican Sister of Adrian, Michigan and currently directs Spirit Mountain Retreat in Idyllwild, Ca.

Holy Mother Earth, the trees, and all nature are witnesses
to your thoughts and deeds.
--Winnebago Wise Saying

January 30
Movie Night at Spirit Mountain Retreat (4th Monday of each month)

filmstrip Film: The Visitor
Widowed professor Walter Vale (Richard Jenkins, in an Oscar-nominated role) finds himself drawn to a different rhythm when he discovers an immigrant couple, Tarek (Haaz Sleiman) and Zainab (Danai Gurira), squatting in his Manhattan flat and becomes wrapped up in their lives. We welcome film suggestions.

Date and Time: Monday, January 30, 6:30 pm – 9pm
Please RSVP 951-659-252

FEBRUARY
Note: Programs will take place at Spirit Mountain Retreat unless otherwise indicated.

February 13
Day of Mindfulness ~ Being Present for Your Life

Mindfulness is knowing what is happening in this moment
and what is happening in me in response to it.
--Sylvia Boorstein

lotus When you slow down and pay careful attention to what is happening inside you and around you, a new world opens up. Everything comes alive. In fact, you may notice that surges of joy arise in you spontaneously, even when nothing special is happening, and even in the midst of difficult times. With Mindfulness Practice we appreciate that every moment of life, whatever our experience, is precious. When we live in this way, a certain kind of vitality comes into our lives.
-- Baraz & Alexander

Share in a day of contemplative stillness, mindfulness practice, and soulful sharing. Lunch is enjoyed in silence.

Date: Monday, February 13
Time: 9:30 am – 3pm. (lunch included)
Suggested Donation: $35
Facilitator: Esther Kennedy
Registration: Call 951-659-2523 or email

February 27
Movie Night at Spirit Mountain Retreat (4th Monday of each month)

filmstrip Film: With One Voice ~ Awaken to the Reality that Unites us All.

This illuminating documentary explores the unity of humanity, reveals our essential oneness and spreads the single message that binds all faiths together. The film features Mystics from many of the great spiritual traditions around the world whose lives have been dedicated to answering the mysteries of existence. For them, all our problems stem from a loss of connection with the infinite source that sustains us all and their solution is simple; reconnect. We welcome film suggestions.

Date and Time: Monday, February 27, 6:30 – 9pm
Please RSVP 951-659-2523

MARCH
Note: Programs will take place at Spirit Mountain Retreat unless otherwise indicated.

March 2
Growing Closer to Your Partner ~ A Delightful Experience

Believe it or not in one short evening it’s possible to feel closer to your partner by using one simple skill that can transform your life and relationship. Imagine what it might be like to feel truly understood by your partner and to understand your partner. Get in your partner’s shoes and experience what they’re thinking, feeling, desiring and their greatest concern. Enhance your relationship for the better.

Date: Friday, March 2
Time: 7pm – 9pm (Limited to six couples, register early)
Fee: No Charge/Donations appreciated
Registration: Call 951-659-2523 or email

Facilitator: M.P. Wylie, Ph.D., President of Relationship Research Foundation, Inc., a nonprofit organization building stronger families and couples in Southern California, author of Journey to Love and Summit of Your Potential and National speaker at relationship, family and marriage conferences. Dr. Wylie has her doctorate in Psychology and considers Spirit Mountain Retreat her home away from home.

March 3
Journey to Love Retreat ~
Do you want to open your heart to more love?

This retreat program facilitates getting in touch with, exploring and healing family and relationship history, and creating clear boundaries for healthier and happier relationships.

Participants will be using the Journey to Love Workbook as an exploration tool, along with free writing time, reflection and group sharing to open our hearts with gentle curiosity to our life experiences interconnected to relationships.

You’ll go on an “inner journey” to gain insight about what you’ve done in the past that hasn’t been successful. You’ll make new choices to change old habits and have relationship experiences that are more fulfilling.

Date: Saturday, March 3
Time: 9:30am – 4:30pm (Limited to 12 participants)
Fee: $70 ( includes lunch and the cost of the workbook $35)
Registration: Call 951-659-2523 or email

Facilitator: M.P. Wylie, Ph.D., President of Relationship Research Foundation, Inc., a nonprofit organization building stronger families and couples in Southern California, author of Journey to Love and Summit of Your Potential and National speaker at relationship, family and marriage conferences. Dr. Wylie has her doctorate in Psychology and considers Spirit Mountain Retreat her home away from home.

March 9 – 11, 2012
Weber Retreat and Conference Center
Adrian, Michigan

Woman’s Retreat: Mother Night and Seeing in the Dark

The Creative life force is urging and nudging us to move into the realm of mystery, dreams, darkness, and the unexpected. At this turning of the year, we reclaim the soulful gifts set into our soul at birth. Gifts abandoned possibly in the unconscious through neglect, ignorance and fear. We will draw upon Mother Night: Myths, Stories and Teachings by Clarissa Pinkola Estes.

Mother Night is our wild companion as we…kneel to dig down to mine the raw gems of spirit, soul and creative life, bringing diamonds from the darkness again or for the very first time. What if the world is starving for soulful gifts only you carry?

Facilitator: Esther Kennedy, OP, MSW, enjoys creating retreats for women, especially drawing upon Myth and Story as a way into living our lives with greater depth and joy. Her journeys to India and Indonesia have awakened in her a deep sense of the sacred. Esther is a Dominican Sister of Adrian, Michigan and currently directs Spirit Mountain Retreat in Idyllwild, Ca.

Registration: Contact Weber Center, Adrian, Michigan 49221
517-266-4000 www.webercenter@adriandominicans.org

March 17
Men’s Retreat ~ Shamanic Practice & Kung-Fu Techniques for Birthing the Awakened Male with Fu-Ding Cheng

sunset In these volatile times, the traditional concepts of What is a Man? are being radically redefined. From the wisdom of Toltec shamans and Kung-Fu masters, we learn that the most effective action in life, as well as the source of self-fulfillment, is NOT on the level of appearances (money, success, or prestige), but on the level of cause (attitudes, heart, intent).

In this workshop, we will tap into the power of accelerating change (marked by the year 2012 of the Mayan Calendar), and have the energy go through us for our own transformation.

You will learn techniques to:

Preserve personal power
Fulfill dreams through gaining Clarity of Intent
Live powerfully in spite of risks and uncertainty.

“Fu-Ding is a nagual, a master. One of the best Toltec teachers I know.”
--Don Miguel Ruiz, Author of the best-seller, The Four Agreements

Date: Saturday, March17
Time: 9:30 – 4:30pm
Fee: $75 (includes lunch)
Bring: Notebook, drum or percussion instrument, if you have one
Registration: Call 951-659-2523 or

Facilitator: Fu-Ding Cheng, since break-through experiences in 1995 as apprentice to Toltec shaman Don Miguel Ruiz, has been leading spiritual/shamanic workshops distilled from a life-long quest involving eastern Meditation. In the 90’s he was active in the Men’s Movement and has taught with Malidome Some, Coleman Barks, and Michael Mead. His multi-faceted career includes visionary books, painting and prize-winning films and www.liquidlightproductions.com

March 18
Spring Equinox ~ Celebrating the Well of Wisdom

Running water is a holy thing.
-- Old Somerset Saying

Around March 21st daylight is at last equal to the hours of darkness. Spring equinox has arrived marking the time of preparing the soil to receive the seed. A seed will remain forever dormant unless planted in earth that has been well prepared for it.

Within each of us is a well of wisdom, yet we may rarely stop to drink from its waters. What groundwork is calling for your attention before you can give expression to your soul?

As the plow may encounter dry, rocky soil we may allow all sorts of things to get in the way of making changes and preparing the soil for new life to begin sprouting. We can look at what holds us back from focusing on our own goals and clearing space and time for the running of the waters of wisdom to flow freely.

Come, bring a friend and join with Local Color and Spirit Mountain Retreat to create this ritual gathering. Bring a treat to share!

Date: Sunday March 18
Time: 4 – 5pm
Place: To be announced
No Charge, however your donation helps cover expenses. Thank You

*March 19
Day of Mindfulness ~ Being Present for Your Life

Everything – you and I and everyone and everything – has a life span.
This moment is all there is, and to the degree we can remember that, we can actually experience the joy of living, even in situations that are quite difficult.
-- Sylvia Boorstein

lotus When you slow down and pay careful attention to what is happening inside you and around you, a new world opens up. Everything comes alive. In fact, you may notice that surges of joy arise in you spontaneously, even when nothing special is happening, and even in the midst of difficult times. With Mindfulness Practice we appreciate that every moment of life, whatever our experience, is precious. When we live in this way, a certain kind of vitality comes into our lives.
-- Baraz & Alexander

Share in a day of contemplative stillness, mindfulness practice, and soulful sharing. Lunch is enjoyed in silence.

*Date: Monday, March 19, (Third Monday)
Time: 9:30 am – 3pm. (lunch included)
Suggested Donation: $35
Facilitator: Esther Kennedy
Registration: Call 951-659-2523 or email

March 22, 29; April 5,12,19,26; May 3
Living Through Transition and Loss ~ A Seven Week Series

I can release the pain that touches my memories, but only if I remember them. I can release my grief, but only if I express it. Memories and grief need a heart to hold them.
-- Alan Wolfelt

transition This program is for members of our community who have experienced loss in their lives through death of a loved one, divorce, illness, broken relationships or financial challenges. Suffering, loneliness, anger, relief, emotional isolation are some of the feelings that accompany loss. During these sessions we will receive and give support to one another, share our stories, and learn tools of coping. As we embrace our loss and soften our grief we may well experience healing and a deepening sense of compassion for ourselves and one another.

Facilitator: Esther Kennedy MSW. For many years Esther worked as an Oncology and Hospice Social Worker and bereavement counselor. She knows of the pain and suffering of loss as well as the transformative power of love, grace and shared story.

Time: Thursday Morning 10:00am - 12:00pm
Dates: March 22, 29, April 5, 12, 19, 26, May 3.
Registration: Call 951-659-2523 email
Program is funded by a grant from the Mary Austin Foundation.

March 27
Movie Night at Spirit Mountain Retreat (4th Monday of each month)

filmstrip Film: The King of Masks (1999)
(foreign film - subtitles)

Nearing the end of his life, Wang -- a locally renowned street performer and wizard of the venerable art of mask magic -- yearns to pass on his technique. But custom decrees that he can only hand down his craft to a male successor. Anxious to preserve his unique art, the heirless Wang faces a choice between filial love and societal tradition. We welcome film suggestions.

Date and Time: Monday, March 27, 6:30 -9pm.
Please RSVP 951-659-2523

March 31
2012 AND YOU ~ A Time of Spiritual Awakening

In Mayan astrology, the information is channeled, and the astrology part merely serves as an intellectual framework to help to interpret the spirit messages.

If it is the end of time (as we know it), then how do we individually and collectively prepare for the New Beginning.

Our objective is: A call to Conscious Creating.
Our vehicle is: Astrology.

We know from astrology that Neptune will be in Pisces from 2012-2025 facilitating a spiritual awakening. Come and join in an exciting dialogue around 2012 and U.

Date: Saturday, March 31
Time: 1-4pm, Caine Learning Center, 54385 Pinecrest
Fee: $25
Registration: Call 951-659-2523 or email

Facilitators:
Joseph Sheehan Studied Western Spirituality in the USA and Eastern Spirituality in India. His interest in integrating Body, Mind & Spirit led to a Masters degree in Holistic Health and studies in Tarot & Astrology. Joseph is an astrologer living in Palm Springs, Ca.
Makeshta is a disciple on the path. He is deeply interested in the area of metaphysics and lives in Cathedral City, Ca.

APRIL
Note: Programs will take place at Spirit Mountain Retreat unless otherwise indicated.

April 9
Day of Mindfulness ~ Being Present for Your Life

A moment of mindfulness is always a moment of freedom. We can have the courage to make choices that result in a positive difference for ourselves and others
-- Sylvia Boorstein

lotus When you slow down and pay careful attention to what is happening inside you and around you, a new world opens up. Everything comes alive. In fact, you may notice that surges of joy arise in you spontaneously, even when nothing special is happening, and even in the midst of difficult times. With Mindfulness Practice we appreciate that every moment of life, whatever our experience, is precious. When we live in this way, a certain kind of vitality comes into our lives.
--Baraz & Alexander

Share in a day of contemplative stillness, mindfulness practice, and soulful sharing. Lunch is enjoyed in silence.

Date: Monday, April 9
Time: 9:30 am – 3pm. (lunch included)
Suggested Donation: $35
Facilitator: Esther Kennedy
Registration: Call 951-659-2523 or email

March 22, 29; April 5,12,19,26; May 3
Living Through Transition and Loss ~ A Seven Week Series

I can release the pain that touches my memories, but only if I remember them. I can release my grief, but only if I express it. Memories and grief need a heart to hold them.
-- Alan Wolfelt

transition This program is for members of our community who have experienced loss in their lives through death of a loved one, divorce, illness, broken relationships or financial challenges. Suffering, loneliness, anger, relief, emotional isolation are some of the feelings that accompany loss. During these sessions we will receive and give support to one another, share our stories, and learn tools of coping. As we embrace our loss and soften our grief we may well experience healing and a deepening sense of compassion for ourselves and one another.

Facilitator: Esther Kennedy MSW. For many years Esther worked as an Oncology and Hospice Social Worker and bereavement counselor. She knows of the pain and suffering of loss as well as the transformative power of love, grace and shared story.

Time: Thursday Morning 10:00am - 12:00pm
Dates: March 22, 29, April 5, 12, 19, 26, May 3.
Registration: Call 951-659-2523 email
Program is funded by a grant from the Mary Austin Foundation.

April 21-22
Woman’s Retreat:
The Search for the Feminine Face of God~
She Who Hears the Cries of the World

There was a time when the life giving principle of the feminine was honored and respected. There was a time when the feminine was experienced as One Unto Herself. There was a time when violence and the erotic were not bound together.

This is the time to cultivate the qualities of the Divine Feminine ~
Wisdom, Justice, Beauty, Harmony and Compassion.

Across the planet she was named Gaia, Earth Mother, Goddess. We know her by many names Tara, Quan Yin, Kwan Yin, Tonansin, Isis, Oshun, Yemaya, Oya, Kali, Durga, Athena, Demeter, Black Madonna, and so many others.

The search often takes us into the darkness, spiraling down within us to the heart of our own story where She, the Beloved, dwells. We will welcome and entertain the Divine Feminine with ritual, presentations, dance, writing, creative expression and laughter.

Date: April 21-22
Time: Saturday 10am – Sunday 12:30pm
Fee: $200 includes retreat, meals, private room at Spirit Mountain Retreat
Commuter Fee: $125 for retreat and meals.
Deposit: $50 by March 15 (Retreat limited to 12 Participants)
Registration: Call 951-659-2523 or email

Facilitator: Esther Kennedy, enjoys creating retreats for women, especially drawing upon Myth and Story as a way into living our lives with greater depth and joy. Esther is a Dominican Sister of Adrian, Michigan and currently directs Spirit Mountain Retreat in Idyllwild, Ca.

April 28 and May 5
The Contemplative Garden is a Place of Beauty and a Job Forever!

Everything that slows us down... and brings us back into the slow circles of nature, is a help. Gardening is an instrument of grace.
-- May Sarton

garden We will gather both days to work in the garden, clearing away winters’ excess and preparing the ground for spring into summer’s new growth. Please come and join in the raking, weeding, re-planting, pruning, mulching and preparing lunch. The garden is quite large so we truly need your help! Just bring your gloves, tools and the garden will welcome you! Stay as long as you can!

Date: Saturday, April 28 and May 5
Time: Anytime from 9:30 – 4pm Lunch served at 12:30pm
RSVP: Esther Kennedy 951-659-2523

MAY
Note: Programs will take place at Spirit Mountain Retreat unless otherwise indicated.