Retreats

10 Sep

AWAKENING - A WEEKEND OF EXPLORATION, ENLIGHTENMENT, AND REJUVENATION

09-10-2010 - 09-12-2010

An invitation for individuals and their families with a special interest in the application of the ancient spiritual wisdom of India to our current lives. This retreat is open to all the people from an Indian background (or origin) or with close ties to India. Children 8 years and older are welcome.

As our days become busier in an increasingly busy world, because of the responsibility and stress of our daily lives, we often forget our own value and the value of those closest to us. Our lives and interactions become routine. By re-discovering who we are, we strengthen our roots and are able to grow. Join us for a journey into the depth of ourselves and experience our own true nature. This weekend, learn to transform your relationship with yourself and with others…a relationship filled with love, understanding, and harmony.


RETREAT HIGHLIGHTS

Meditation for experiencing the true self and innate qualities
Insightful dialogue on transforming relationships
Live, remote interactive video session with Sister Shivani
Practical experimentation with values and virtues
Interactive discussions and workshops
Grand cultural evening
Delicious vegetarian food

Click here to register

17 Sep

PEACE OF MIND

09-17-2010 - 09-19-2010

From: Friday, September 17  To: Sunday, September 19

In a world that has become increasingly stressful and chaotic, real peace is one of the most sought-after commodities. But it has also become one of the most elusive.

The Peace of Mind retreat is an opportunity to explore and experience the spiritual truths that can awaken, empower and sustain that peace which is in fact a fundamental quality innate to every human soul.

Along with the essential tools of silence and meditation, a live drama woven throughout this unique retreat aids our understanding of how to apply these spiritual truths and obtain true peace and self-mastery on the battlefield of life.

Join us and discover how peace truly is an "inside job."

Facilitators: Erik Larson, Anthony Phelips, Judi Rich
Actors: Tanya Rich, Mahadeo Shivraj

Click here to register

17 Sep

HEALING THE SELF

09-17-2010 - 09-19-2010

From: Friday, September 17  To: Sunday, September 19  

In modern times, we are encouraged to keep going at any cost, rather than allow much-needed, inner healing to take its course. So now is the time, and this is the retreat, to explore the powers that are the source of our well-being. Powers that come from inside the self and are of long term benefit include:  love, happiness, forgiveness, and silence.

Unconditional love opens new and unlimited horizons. Happiness helps us surmount the storms and learn life’s lessons. Forgiveness allows us to create anew. Silence is simplicity; it creates solutions and is the way to the Divine. Join us as we tap into these rich resources within, and take a few gentle steps toward inner healing.

Facilitators:

Vheena Vanier, RN, PGP, worked as a clinical nurse and also taught and trained nurses. Her interest is in developing processes to promote personal growth. 

Zvika Zur is a software engineer.  Originally from Israel, he teaches Raja Yoga and personal development at the Brahma Kumaris Center in the Boston area.  

Click here to register

01 Oct

HOPE IN HEALTHCARE

10-01-2010 - 10-03-2010

From: Friday Evening to Sunday Afternoon

A weekend retreat and conversation to reflect and build upon the unique human experiences in the healthcare profession. We invite you to:
*Explore your inner sense of purpose and dignity.
*Connect with your inner peacefulness and positivity.
The program will include a therapeutic blend of conversations, meditation, story-telling, reflection, talks, and time to be quiet with nature and yourself. Further details regarding theme, program content, and guest presenters will be made available. It’s a weekend for you to nurture yourself and experience respite and refreshment of spirit.
Give yourself this special gift that is sure to put your mind at ease, and fill your life with renewed meaning.

Facilitators:  Shvetank Agarwal, MD;  Carol Davis, PT;  Merrillyn Hener, PT;  Kala Iyengar, MD;  Carmen Palmer, RN;  Celina Pereira, MD;  Kathy Thompson, RN;  Joan Vitello, RN;  Harvey Zarren, MD. Bios of facilitators are available upon request.

Click here to register

01 Oct

LISTENING IS AN ACT OF LOVE - Appreciating the Gift of Total Listening

10-01-2010 - 10-03-2010

From: Friday, October 1  To: Sunday, October 3

As a nation, we have the technical expertise to create a vast web of communications using sophisticated technology; as individuals, our exchanges with each other are many times unsatisfying, unhealthy and hurtful. During this retreat, we turn the tide of this destructive habit, and awaken ourselves to the remarkable human resource of listening.

Effective listening is active, not passive. It is the most demanding aspect of communication, and also the most rewarding. As we listen with a win-win intention, we feel love for the other and also feel we are loved. Listening in this way has countless benefits, including:

  • Deepening and transforming relationships
  • Understanding and accepting others
  • Creating dynamic, new relationships
  • Increasing our capacity to help others understand themselves
  • Healing the emotional nature of the self and others
  • Understanding our true selves at a deeper level

Becoming knowledgeable about the subtle yet profound barriers to effective listening can make you a conqueror of hearts and enable you to influence outcomes. Be ready to experience silence, exercises, meditation and a wonder-filled look into the self.

Facilitator: 

Dorothy Steinfeld is a spiritual teacher, a dedicated raj yogi for 24 years, and Director of Programs at Peace Village Learning & Retreat Center. She has practiced various forms of yoga & meditation for over 40 years.

Click here to register

15 Oct

INNER PEACE - INNER POWER - THROUGH RAJA YOGA

10-15-2010 - 10-17-2010

Learn Raja Yoga, a practical and simple form of meditation and spiritual understanding that sets the foundation for ongoing spiritual development. It is about discovering, exploring and understanding one’s inner world of thoughts, feelings, attitudes, values, motives and intentions and developing the spiritual skills and inner strengths to face the realities of the outer world.

As we practice the art of bringing inner and outer realities into balance, we start from the inside out. You'll become more aware of your internal environment, enabling you to check, choose and change. You will reinforce that you always have a choice in what you think. You will learn to be more kind, tolerant and accepting of yourself and others. In this process, you will start to recognize your spiritual independence and realize the inner resources that you have, and your ability and responsibility to use them to create a better quality of life. The retreat also includes ways to restore your relationship with your Higher Power and increase the understanding of how to apply spiritual powers in your life.

Facilitators:

Jean Ramnauth is an educator by profession and an accomplished facilitator, currently based at Global Harmony House.

Sandra Budge, CMA serves on several retreat design teams. Her passion is to align with her true spiritual nature and to empower others to do the same.

Click here to register

22 Oct

LEADING FROM THE HEART

10-22-2010 - 10-24-2010

Friday, March 26  To: Sunday,  March 28

Dreams take birth in the heart, but require nurturing to bring them to fulfillment. Old patterns of thinking and acting may keep our dreams out of reach. We may find ourselves in cycles of scarcity, fear and sadness -- trapped in mental states and behavioral patterns that reproduce unproductive conditions.

In this workshop, using a deeply reflective process, we will explore the rich resources contained within our own core and begin to turn these rediscovered resources into new patterns of action. Together, we will question old habits and filters and engage a process for developing new habits. These new habits and patterns of thinking will support us rather than sabotage us, and help us to access the deepest, most essential part of ourselves, where our essential powers are latent.

Using this powerful transformational process, we can slowly change the filters distorting our view of ourselves and the world around us. We start to lead the self, aligning the feuding parts within us to support our highest purpose.

Join us in the adventure of letting go of the old and destructive, and bringing forward what is most creative, restorative and powerful. With a deeper awareness of self, we re-awaken our heart's desires, and take the courageous steps of leading from the heart.

Facilitators:

Edward Wondoloski, CPA is an Emeritus Professor of Management and Director of The Living Values Educational Program, Inc.

Erik Larson has developed and facilitated many retreats. His special interests include photography and creating meditative hiking and walking paths at Peace Village.

Click here to register

29 Oct

SILENCE - THE LANGUAGE OF THE SOUL

10-29-2010 - 10-31-2010


From: Friday, October 29  To: Sunday, October 31

 There is a part of you that is perfect and pure. It remains untouched by the less-than-perfect characteristics you've acquired by living in a less-than-perfect world. It's filled with divine qualities, and holds within it a state of resourcefulness and well-being. Accessing this higher part of ourselves frees us from conflict and negativity.

 Make time to practice reaching this inner place of silence. It will bring you untold benefit, allowing you to:

  • Manage your thoughts better.
  • Be released from the grip of negative programming and conditioning.
  • Experience the truth of your inner peace and dignity.
  • Aid the mind in remaining focused, centered and capable.
  • Develop a beautiful spiritual fragrance around you.

Join us for this tranquil, most pleasant weekend of the Silence Retreat, which includes a few gentle points to guide us along this peaceful path.

Facilitators: 

Dorothy Steinfeld is a spiritual teacher, a dedicated raj yogi for 24 years, and Director of Programs at Peace Village Learning & Retreat Center. She has practiced various forms of yoga & meditation for over 40 years.

Sandra Budge, CMA serves on several retreat design teams. Her passion is to align with her true spiritual nature and to empower others to do the same.

Susan  Pollock  has many years experience in advertising, sales, and exhibition and event planning, and enjoys mixing creativity with spirituality in all aspects of life.

 

Click here to register

05 Nov

EXPERIENCING PRAYER & MEDITATION -- JOURNEY INTO THE 11th STEP

11-05-2010 - 11-07-2010

From: Friday, July 16  To: Sunday, July 18

This retreat is specifically designed for those wanting to explore the '11th Step' of prayer and meditation and those who are participating in a Twelve Step Program.

There is an AA closed meeting on Saturday.

This is an experiential retreat to explore the realm of prayer and meditation in a focused way at a place created for meditation and silence. Learn the easy steps to meditation so you can easily connect with your Higher Power, bring strength and peace in your life, clarity in your thinking and self control in your way of being.                                                  

Comments from previous retreat participants:

"Every morning my entire life I hit the floor with my knees; this morning was a different experience -- I made the connection”

“I never knew it was possible to feel I was sitting in the lap of God”

“Beyond any of my expectations and I am so pleased I came, even though I was so skeptical”

Facilitators: 

Dorothy Steinfeld is a spiritual teacher, a dedicated raj yogi for 24 years, and Director of Programs at Peace Village Learning & Retreat Center. She has practiced various forms of yoga & meditation for over 40 years.

Kathleen Thompson, RN, was a clinical nurse and is now an Assistant Director of Nursing for Psychiatric Services.

Click here to register

12 Nov

THE ART OF LIVING - BEYOND LOSS & GRIEF

11-12-2010 - 11-14-2010

From: Friday, November 12  To: Sunday, November 14

Facing a significant loss can be disorienting, painful, and even debilitating. Helping the mind to work through these experiences -- perhaps even from long ago -- is essential to our recovery.

The Art of Living: Beyond Loss & Grief offers a safe and nurturing environment for people to go through the process of realizing the deep and personal meaning of their loss, and to understand the effects such a loss can have on one's life. It will help participants to reframe their experience in order to create openings for new learning, healing, and growth. The weekend will include group discussions, art, music, meditation, movement, and silent time for personal reflections.

It is our hope that this weekend helps participants move from feelings of loss to finding deeper meaning in their life-transforming experiences.

Facilitators: 

Mary Friedland teaches meditation and self development at the Brahma Kumaris Meditation Center in Chicago.  She is also a certified instructor of yoga in the Iyengar tradition.

Carmen Palmer, RN, has a special interest in designing programs to empower women, and to nurture and sustain healthcare professionals. She serves as the Program Coordinator for the Point of Life Foundation.

Kathleen Thompson, RN, was a clinical nurse and is now an Assistant Director of Nursing for Psychiatric Services.

Click here to register

10 Dec

THE ARTIST WITHIN

12-10-2010 - 12-12-2010

 From: Friday, December 10  To: Sunday, December 12

Exploring creativity from the inside out!

As spiritual beings, we are all naturally creative. Even in the most mundane activities, we can experience beauty and joy by simply cultivating an awareness of our spiritual identity.

By integrating the teachings of Raja Yoga Meditation with a variety of creative techniques, this retreat will explore the intimate relationship between spirituality and creativity. It will provide an opportunity to connect with and deepen my experience of the naturally creative, living energy that exists at the core of every human being. By empowering this "authentic self" and bringing it into expression, I become a positive force for change in the world.

Join us as we take the journey from artist to angel.

Facilitators: 

Judi Rich is a graphic designer who uses the field of communication to explore her interest in human relations and creative expression.

Tanya Rich has appeared in theater productions across North America and overseas. She is a certified Pilates instructor who enjoys using movement to experience spirituality.

Oliver Olivieri has been practicing Raja Yoga for the last 6 years. While operating his own renovation business, he dedicates time to designing and facilitating programs & retreats at Peace Village.  His experience is "Storms are gifts to progress."

Click here to register

10 Dec

THE HEALING POWER OF MEDITATION

12-10-2010 - 12-12-2010

From: Friday, December 10   To: Sunday, Dec 12

Deep within our being we carry pain and hurt from past experiences. These invisible wounds influence the way we respond in life. At some point we may feel the need to heal the self ... physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually.

In this retreat we will explore the use of colors and virtues as a means of healing,  combined with the power of meditation,  to return to our natural state of total well being.

Facilitators:

Sandra Budge, CMA, serves on several retreat design teams. Her passion is to align with her true spiritual nature and to empower others to do the same.

Jean Ramnauth is an educator by profession and an accomplished
facilitator, currently based at Global Harmony House.

Click here to register