The Art of Pilgrimage
Its that time again... The twice a year pilgrimage:
This is an invitation for anyone in the extended San Francisco Bay Area (or further away) to come join us for a day at the Green Gulch Farm Zen Center for the Art of Pilgrimage, Saturday, September 19th, 2009.
My hope with this particular retreat is that it becomes a regular seasonal way for folks that have done programs with me in the past, new participants (bring a friend), iThou community, and Green Gulch regulars to get together at Green Gulch for a day of contemplative walking in the hills of Marin. The fee is minimal, the venue is great, and the opportunity to more deeply understand contemporary pilgrimage together on a seasonal basis is exciting to me. This is where I first met a number of Bay Area iThou participants face-to-face.
Here’s the retreat description.
The Art of Pilgrimage: Walking the Wild Path, September 19, 2009
with Steven Harper and Jeremy Levie
Most of the world's spiritual traditions include some form of pilgrimage. Although not often taught in the West, Buddhism also includes such a practice. This retreat will be a contemporary pilgrimage, exploring the ancient art of walking. While pilgrimage is often from one place to another, we will end at the very place we begin, celebrating the sacred aspect of the journey itself. We will begin at Green Gulch with an introduction to the basic principles of sitting meditation (zazen) and walking practice (kinhin). Much of the day will be spent mindfully hiking trails in the wilds of Marin (3-6 miles in length), moving between silence, instruction, and informal discussion. This is a contemplative journey where each step is the goal. Please bring a bag lunch. Further information will be sent upon registration.
$45, $40 members, $35 limited income.
Here are photos from the last pilgrimage: Art of Pilgrimage Photos
Here are photos of: Green Gulch Farm Zen Center
Please call the Green Gulch front office at 415.383.3134 to register.
Warm Regards,
Steven
...or be a regular quadrilateral.
Be there or be square. :)
Plays well with others
Quote:
The best remedy for those who are afraid, lonely or unhappy is to go outside, somewhere where they can be quiet, alone with the heavens, nature and God. Because only then does one feel that all is as it should be and that God wishes to see people happy, amidst the simple beauty of nature. As long as this exists, and it certainly always will, I know that then there will always be comfort for every sorrow, whatever the circumstances may be. And I firmly believe that nature brings solace in all troubles.
Anne Frank (1929–45), The Diary of a Young Girl (1947; tr. 1952), entry for 23 Feb. 1944.
Gorgeous photos -- makes me homesick for SF. Especially the shot along the Marin headlands.
Totally Committed
I give thanks for unknown blessings already on the way
Thanks for all the comments... Hope to see many friends there.
One thing everyone should be aware of regardless of whether you can come along on the pilgrimage or not is — Sept. 19th is "Talk Like A Pirate Day."
Aayy, at last it is. For more information: Talk Like a Pirate Day
"Arrgghh... All things serious should be mixed with a sprinkle of humor" ~Capt. Hook
For those that like to follow along virtually you will find words and links to photos and more:
Workshop Journal: Art of Pilgrimagel
Most of our group at Pirates Cove just off the Coast Trail. Here, as you can imagine, we be talkin like a pirate... arrrggh. iThou's own John came along for the event. Always a joy to meet face to face those I know here.
Sadly me wasn't there.
But what a great hike, and what great fun this must have been. Maybe next year?!.
Plays well with others
Dasein...