Sweet Retreat and the S.P.I.N. Gathering

The weather was getting warmer, the days longer and new events for 2011 were creeping up…some I attended some I did not. It all depended on the travel distance.  I did decide to attend my first S.P.I.N. gathering arranged by a dedicated friend, Dan.

S.P.I.N. stand for Spirit in Nature Pathways.   It is a seasonal gathering in which many gather to walk together in silence on a woodland path in a form of drum and bell meditation.  Dan, also shares a few words on preserving the land and using natural energy and resources. These area that are prepared, welcomes any one to walk and find a refuge of peace and mental healing plus appreciate the surroundings.

My first S.P.I.N. gathering was in around May 2011.  It was a Saturday afternoon.  The distance was far and to an area I have never been.  But decided to go, to move forward. I only knew a few individuals but that was okay, I was sure I would meet new friends and hang out a bit.  It was a 2 1/2 hour drive, a couple of friends offered to car pool but my morning was a bit complicated.  So it was distend for me to drive on my own.  So I gathered all my salad items for the pot luck dinner to share, my snacks, music, comfortable clothes, drum, some shakers and tambourine.  At 12:30 P.M. I got into my faithful SUV, switched on my partner (GPS) and said “Here we go!”  Turned my music on and started to venture into uncharted land with lots of faith.

After the 2 1/2 hour drive, I arrived to the site and in time.  I encountered a beautiful, gorgeous property.  The sun was not out but the misty haze and peacefulness was enchanting.  The owner lives with her family in an open spacious house and offers her property for special events and also individuals that need a couple of days to retreat, to recover, to heal.  Which is why it’s called “Sweet Retreat” I thought this idea was wonderful, beautiful and selfless.  Especially when the property lends itself for this.  I can see why! I would do the same or just have gatherings to share in the passion of music, togetherness and health. I like that!

Now for some reason I was quiet, some said a few words to me then moved on…I was mostly alone but not uncomfortable.  Maybe it was meant to be this way.  But then I’m one of those individuals that can be around people and have a blast, laugh, goof around (you can ask my brothers and some close friends) but also be quiet or be one on one only or just observe my surroundings and feel the essence.

Now…everyone had arrived and settled down at a location that Dan had set aside for the Buddhist chanting and mediation.  I mostly listened due to not knowing the words…actually to this day, still don’t know the words, 🙂  SO I humm them… One day I will learn them.  Then we all stood up and gathered together to proceed with the silent walk through the woods.  One would follow each other in a line and remain silent so to feel, see, hear, experience all the surroundings and what nature had to offer…receive its gifts. There were written reflections posted on some trees.  One would stop to read and reflect.  We continued the walk and about every 10 mins or so, one would hear a drum beat and then the bell.  This is to remind you of the purpose and why you are here, in case our minds would start to wonder.

Living in a world surrounded with noise and distractions, to now hear total silence and only hear the branches cracking, birds singing, ruffle of leaves, the movement of the air, the breeze dancing, hearing the grass grow, branches moving, the hazy sky, the feathery dandelions moving along the breeze. All if this  was very overwhelming to me.  This was a Rebirth!.  I felt my tears rolling down my cheeks.  I stretched my arms out to feel the magnitude of what I was experiencing, the sacredness and the power.  I was so grateful and at peace during this walk.

We reached the end, formed into a circle and expressed in a few words our experiences.  My two words were “The beginning”  At that moment I just wanted to sit on a blanket, next to a fire and just hang out quietly! I have always enjoyed the out doors, I am blessed with a beautiful garden in my back yard, not huge but big enough to maintain. But this experience was beyond what I had expected.

We then headed to the house for a nice meal.  I sat, spoke to Dan a little and another individual, but then again remained alone. After,  we were treated to a special performance by a wonderful singer, by the name of Lindsey and Dave assisted her with the percussion. Of course a lover of music I can not just sit there and do nothing! So on one of the songs,  out came my shaker and helped out!  Loved it! “Never leave without a shaker!” HAHAH!

After this terrific performance we all headed out and sat on blankets.  It was very misty but kind of nice.  A guest speaker by the name Linda aka Mother Earth, spoke about the passion and power of nature and its gifts of healing together with the Creator.   I truly believe this from my own experience with my mom in what she went through. How she would go out into the garden and actually see the flowers grow, the vines move, watch the morning dew, smell the morning jasmine flowers and much more. This gave her comfort and joy as she healed.  She took no medication only what surrounded her and embraced the gifts our Creator shared with her. Until this day she is very grateful and gives back. I call my mom “Mama Pacha” which comes from the indigenous people and means “Mother Earth”.  So I am “Pelucha” and my mom “Mama Pacha”. HAHAH! If you are wondering…Pelucha is a nick name my brother gave me…it means Cuddly toy with messy fur/hair. Now moving on…:-)

As Linda continued her thoughts,  I looked down and reached for a blade of grass and at that moment felt the beauty and its heart beat.  A simple blade, but full of life that gives back to us, to me.  I then listened and shared some experiences with others.

After this wonderful peaceful reflection time, we all stood up and gathered our drums, instruments, didgeridoos, etc. for the last part of the gathering was going to begin.  I headed over to the drumming circle area and  a warm bonfire was going. This was my first out-door bonfire drum circle. I fell in love with the smell of fire burning plus being able to play my drum in front of it. Playing and hearing the drums, didgeridoos, shakers, bells, frame drums, plus much more, all around a bonfire was so organic, so ancient, so native.  It touched my heart and spirit.  After awhile it started to rain a bit but then it stopped so we moved closer to the fire and went into a deep softer sound with softer instruments.  I was in love with this moment and its essence, plus the people around me as I would hear them sing and play.

At 9 P.M. I quietly packed my instruments…said my Good-byes and took a deep breath.  Got back into my faithful SUV, put on some music, set up my GPS, took out some grapes to munch on and started my 2 1/2 hour drive back home. I was a bit tired but the experience kept me up.  I was also enjoying the smell of burnt wood on my hair.  I was kind of quiet throughout this entire event, kind of alone but nature was with me, spoke to me, embraced me, and I listened, I felt it, I embraced it and was reborn.  So this quietness, this alone feeling was meant to be…so I can feel and be sensitive to the gifts that was being offered.  Also within this quietness I also met some wonderful individuals with beautiful talents and passion.

I enjoy and love nature but I guess I took it for granted.  Through out this gathering I learned.  What surrounds us is a gift for us to enjoy, to take care of, it is life and we depend on it. We can not live nor survive without it. It supports us, we are from it, we are organic. It speaks to us if we allow it. It helps us heal together with our Creator, and I have and witness that through my mom, Mama Pacha.

So this Spirit In Nature Pathways is just that….feeling the Spirit in nature as we follow the path….and allow it to enter OUR Spirit…and together experience the peace and the healing.~~

We see with our eyes. We know with our hearts. Outside…Inside. ~~Cantus Fraggle

For more information on the S.P.I.N. gatherings and programs by Daniel Shea and his team, please visit the Links and Information menu for the the Web-Site.

If you have never attended one of these gatherings, I would highly recommend that you do…

You will not regret it!

Photo Credits: Daniel Shea and Pelucha