Apache Blessing

SESC 2010

A Day at the Conference!

What is a day at the Southeastern Spiritual Conference like? Will I have to share a room with someone? If I am flying in, will I need to take a cab to the campus? Will I be bored? Will I get hungry and need to bring my own snacks? Do I need to bring my own pillow? So many questions can come to mind!

If you are registered to stay on campus, when you arrive on Wednesday afternoon you will go to the Community Center behind South Apartments where you will receive a welcome hug, a nametag, and an info sheet that shows the location of your workshops and other conference news. Attached to your lanyard will be your dorm room key and building key card. You will also receive a pass to use in the cafeteria for your meals.

Day students (staying off campus) will also receive a nametag and info sheet.  Registration for day students will be in the same place  (the Multipurpose Room/Community Center at the South Apartments). If you are a day student, you may purchase meals at the cafeteria door.

If you are flying in to GSO, please let us know when you register so that we can help you make transportation arrangements. You will also need to make arrangements for linens (see this explained in the next section.)

You may want to learn about our Guardian Angel program and sign up to participate. Many of our workshop presenters also do consultations for a fee. You can make appointments and pay for these sessions at the consultation desk on campus.

Your dorm room will be in the South Apartments. Each apartment has a living and dining area which includes a table and four chairs, a full kitchen, two baths, and four private bedrooms. When you fill out your registration form, you may request specific suitemates. These buildings are three stories and the rooms on the first floor are reserved for those that have physical problems that prohibit them from climbing stairs.

Linens are not provided unless you rent them. If you are driving to conference, please bring your sheets, blankets, pillows,  towels, washcloths and toiletries. If you are flying, you may rent a linen packet which includes sheets, pillow and pillowcase, blanket, a couple of towels and washcloths. The cost is $25. Please order linens in advance on your registration form.

Even though there is a full kitchen, there are no utensils, pots or coffeemakers provided so if you're planning on whipping up a batch of brownies at midnight you'll need to remember that! If you think you will need some snacks during the day, it would be best to bring some, as the cafeteria is only open at specific hours. We do have a SESC sharing snack table in the Multipurpose Room. WiFi is installed all over campus, so it will be easy to connect if you choose to bring your laptop.

Our first meal together will be dinner (Wednesday 5:00 - 6:00 PM) at the cafeteria in Founders Hall and we will gather afterwards at the South Apartments Multipurpose room for our first evening program at 7 pm. Our Art Center/ gift shop is also located in the South Apartments Multipurpose room so you can browse after each evening program.

 Participation in all activities is encouraged but not mandatory!

Each day starts with breakfast in the cafeteria at Founder's Hall. Hours are 7:30 - 8:30 AM. The food is amazing! Of course, if you want, you can stay in your dorm and catch some extra sleep and eat breakfast that you have brought for yourself.

Your first workshop will be from 9:00 - 11:00 AM on Thursday, June 11. You have the option of going or not - this is YOUR spiritual retreat so do with it what you will! All of our workshop presenters are knowledgeable in their fields of study, and you are sure to be enriched by their classes and the chance to interact with others with similar interests.

During the free time between the morning classes and lunch, you can visit the Art Center and see what all our vendors have made available for purchase or perhaps wander around the beautiful Guilford College campus (hint: there are some great rocking chairs in the front of Founder's Hall). The campus has a lovely lake, hiking trails in the woods, lots of wildlife like rabbits, deer and groundhogs, and some of the most amazing trees you've ever met!

Lunch will be served at noon at Founder's Hall in the cafeteria - as are all the meals included in your tuition. The college chefs make some delicious healthy meals, including enough to satisfy the vegetarians in our group. Some of the veggies are grown in Guilford's own organic gardens!  Lunch hours are noon - 1 pm. After lunch, you'll have a little bit of time before your afternoon workshop, which begins at 1:30 PM. The Guilford campus is not large, so you'll have plenty of time to get to your workshop.

Afternoon workshops are from 1:30 - 3:30 PM. After your afternoon workshop, there will be structured free time activities available between 3:45 - 4:45 PM. Of course, you are free to do anything you'd like!

We will meet again for dinner at Founders Hall (5:00 til 6:00 PM) and then gather back at the South Apartment multipurpose room for our evening program at 7 PM. After the program, there will be Rap Sessions from 9:00 - 10:00 PM at various locations or you can visit with fellow attendees on the patio.

Whew! You have just finished your first full day at the Southeastern Spiritual Conference! We're so glad you are here!!!

The gals in the Art Center, SESC 2009

SESC 2009

SESC 2009

Mysteries, Yes

Thanks to Stanley for sharing this poem.


Mysteries, Yes

Truly, we live with mysteries too marvelous to be understood.
How grass can be nourishing in the mouths of the lambs.
How rivers and stones are forever in allegiance with gravity
while we ourselves dream of rising.

How two hands touch and the bonds will never be broken.
How people come, from delight or the scars of damage,
to the comfort of a poem.

Let me keep my distance, always,
from those who think they have the answers.

Let me keep company always with those who say"Look!"
and laugh in astonishment,
and bow their heads.


~ Mary Oliver

There is Enough Light

NOW is a time for each of us to go deeper into our core being and find our
Light of Self Love, Self Acceptance, and Self Forgiveness
so that we can shine our Light
out into the world and
watch with wonder
as the world
is Transformed before us.
Peace is first an inner expression
of Self Love, Self Acceptance, and Self Forgiveness.
To love and accept one's self, and to forgive one's self one's interpretations
of one's experiences is the first step towards Peace, Liberation, and Freedom.

20 January 2009
Ankhushada Aumnibi

(Thanks to Karen Mc for sharing this with us).

A Beacon of Hope

A message from Paul Nunn:

No matter how scary the economy seems right now, it is best for all of us to be a beacon of hope, love and joy with everyone we interact with on daily basis. Changing our perception of what we are witnessing is not only the most important thing each of us can do for ourselves, but it is without a doubt the best gift you can give your family and everyone else your interact with each day.

As soon as you hear someone shifting their conversation to an expose’ on all the negative things they are witnessing, one of the most effective things you can do energetically for them, and the well being of the entire planet for that matter, is to shift their focus to something really wonderful and uplifting you recently noticed.

Because the entire universe conforms to our collective perceptions, it is always good to ask ourselves from time to time if we are being a beacon of hope and love in this world or a purveyor of fear and anxiety.

A Gathering of Energies

Sandra invites all Light Workers to join together each evening at 9:30 pm. She writes:

Dear Friends:

I have been impressed with the thought that a regular time for many of us to join in repeating the Great Invocation would be of great help with the election, the economy, and all of the present conditions we are dealing with. I am suggesting that we all repeat the Great Invocation every evening at 9:30. I am including it here for your convenience. My thought was to begin now and continue at least until after the election or continue longer should you so desire.

If you think this is appropriate for you, please join in. I would also appreciate your sharing it with others that you think may wish to participate. God Bless. Sandra

From the point of Light within the Mind of God
Let light stream forth into the minds of men.
Let Light descend on Earth.

From the point of Love within the Heart of God
Let love stream forth into the hearts of men.
May Christ return to Earth.

From the centre where the Will of God is known
Let purpose guide the little wills of men –
The purpose which the Masters know and serve.

From the centre which we call the race of men
Let the Plan of Love and Light work out
And may it seal the door where evil dwells.

Let Light and Love and Power restore the Plan on Earth.

Alan Cohen writes about The Economy

"The Economy" by Alan Cohen

(author of "The Dragon Doesn't Live Here Anymore" and many other wonderful books)

"...some suggestions on how to get to a better feeling place about the economy, and generate practical results for yourself and others.

Here is my six-point plan. I am not an economist, and frankly I don't understand all of the complexities of the current market. I do, however, understand the relationship between thought, belief, feeling, attitude, expectation, identity, and practical prosperity. So here is my six-point plan, which will surely work if you apply it..."

Elk at Rocky Mountain National Park

Thanks to Pam Morris for sharing this beautiful image!

According to Ted Andrews in his book "Animal Speak" Elk represents Strength and Nobility :

"The Elk is an animal of great strength, power and stamina. It can run at a fast trotting pace for extended periods of time. One of its primary defenses is to outrun its predators. Elk can sustain a strong pace for great lengths of time....If an Elk has come into your life it can mean that you are about to hit your stride....".

October 2: The Great American Think Out

"On October 2, 2008, six million of us are going to come together in our schools and communities to build an unstoppable wave of coherent heart energy that influences the quantum field!"

You can learn more about this at http://www.stopthinkingnow.com/

Thanks to Eda for sharing this info.

SESC 2008

Grace

"Almighty winds of change are sweeping across the toxic plains of an industrial civilization. Tiny flowers, everywhere, are squeezing through the cracks of thick layers of concrete, driven by an unstoppable power. The birds are singing, and a message is blowing high in the treetops. The sunrise and sunsets are broadcasting it, and every ocean wave is delivering the same good news. A power now comes alive, and as the saying goes, it's not over until it's over."

from "Amazing Grace" by David Wolfe and Nick Good