Shaman's Dream Retreat Group Photo
Thanks
to Drake's camera skills, that's him there standing on the right, we
have this view of all of us in front of Saratoga Spring's Heart Lodge.
See Benson's comments in his column below.
Shaman Dreaming
Thanks very much to all you F&SC blokes
who made Shaman’s
Dreaming Retreat such a wonder-filled and delightful and heart-felt
experience for both me and my partner Philip. I must say that before a
couple of days were over, I’d become pretty attached to most of you
guys, and by the end of the four days I felt a very strong connection
to every man present, and didn’t want the weekend to ever end. All you
guys are now in our hearts! These are certainly very strong words from
this conservative natured and shy Aussie. Both of us really can’t wait
to attend next year’s Retreat event to re-connect and experience more.
How can I forget those star filled nights in the
hot spa with my
new-found-brothers, talking about a million and one things? How can I
forget a million and one interactions and connections during those
magical four days as experiential exercises flowed and merged
seamlessly? How can I forget Hunter’s professionally handled Sweat
Lodge that moved so many to tears and visions? How can I forget Dan’s
beautiful and moving Meditation and Water Ceremony that connected us to
our animal totems? How can I forget the spiritually alive location of
the Saratoga Springs venue, plus the comfortable cabins, and delicious,
nutritious and varied gourmet meals three times a day?
San
Francisco
We are deeply indebted to our much beloved Donny
and Kirk for their
fabulously generous hospitality in the week before the Retreat. Whilst
in San Francisco, Bill, me and Philip were created as new members of
the Order of the Pink Velvet Eared Greeters (known as The Bunnies),
which included one hour’s experience on the corner of 18th &
Castro Streets. Such enjoyment for all concerned, especially the seven,
(yes, count them) seven Bunnies! This led to Bunnies at dinner in a
local restaurant, then later to Bunnies at MCC. I must confess that
those Bunny outfits do get very warm after a while. You guys really
know how to have a jolly good time! Donny has also graciously granted
apostolic-succession to both me and Philip, so we can happily confer
Bunniedom on our brothers here in marvellous Melbourne. We are very
excited about this!
As you remember from the Retreat, and my shared
interactions with you
about those very male Trees and that Portal, I am a Geomancer (amongst
other things), so I was delighted to perform some ‘space-clearing’ on
Alcatraz Island, and also later at the Arizona Memorial in Pearl
Harbour. Then on Big Island Hawai'i, all that powerful volcanic energy
and Pele herself, simply could not be ignored, nor could the
‘energetics’ that inhabit the rugged mountains on O’ahu. I won’t go
into detail here, but all of these were most moving, grounding,
sensational and unforgettable experiences for me, and remain a part of
me today. However if you are interested and would like to know more,
then please don’t hesitate to contact me.
Next month I’ll bring you up to date on what’s
happening in our monthly
Men’s-Circle.
Mahalo & Big Warm Hugs – Benson
(Australian Co-Ordinator).
