Though the Lightwork Ecovillage on Gambier Island has existed since
October 2004 this was the first year that we had created enough
infrastructure to hold a retreat. We had 13 people camping,
meditating, dancing, laughing, eating and even occasionaly singing for
7 beautiful days. We've held retreats in beautiful sacred places all
over the world but there was something particularly profound about
holding it on our own land. It felt like this was what the land was
calling for - intentional healing. For the land and beings.
The journey begins with a 30 minute water taxi ride from Horseshoe Bay to Gambier Island.
Lorraine and Gail en route.
Scott grabs the water taxi's bow line to assist our lovely retreater's arrival.
Scott, Krista and Julia give an introduction to the land and the upcoming week.
Note the lovely green grass the retreaters are standing on. Many hours of hand clearing forest were invested to create that beautiful green patch.
The Hawk House
in Summer Retreat mode
The Hawk House all ready for the retreat's events.
Our brand new stairs!
Landing with flowers.
Fine glass ware ready for fine dining.
The Hawk House Dining Deck with beautiful Howe Sound in the distance.
Nasturtium flowers for a salad pick me up!
Krista and the 'Stella' cherry tree.
Yvonne touching into the energy of this beautiful land.
Darci happy to be on retreat.
The Lightwork Summer Retreat 2007 Sanctuary
A session space and art installation
The cob house in process was miraculously transformed into an inspiring and deeply sacred sanctuary. This was a process involving creative design, powerful energy work and a lot of straightforward physical input. We are very proud of the result.
Cob meets gold.
Heaven and Earth entrance.
The circle is prepared for the magic to happen. Note our brand new black back-jacks.
The golden sun, a significant image within the Lightwork Spiritual Practice.
The energy set for the Lightwork Spiritual Practice and in this case the Lightwork Summer Retreat 2007 is the bottom line. It is the most important piece. It was a joy to set the energy for this event on our sacred Ecovillage land.
The window of green echoes the golden sun.
The inukshuk symbolizing balance is always present at Lightwork.
The back door inukshuk.
Our first inukshuk garden, first of many hopefully.
Our creation was unique, even to us!
Dining on the Deck
A sumptuous affair!
The food was incredible.
Colleen was our amazing chef. Each meal was dipped in a batter of love.
Yum!
Gail beaming, enjoying her loving community.
Colleen took the garnish to a new level, note the Lightwork logo.
Lorraine, 'Can we have the Winter Retreat here to?'
AHH, the Ecovillage.
Lightwork Thai Massage
One of the Retreat Highlights
6:30 in the morning the sun casts it's loving gaze onto the Hawk House Dining Deck. Gorgeous.
Lightwork Moving Meditation
Our nourishment before breakfast
By the fourth LMM move the sun would burst over the trees and warm both body and soul.
Spiritual warriors.
The YES stance.
Beautiful campsites.
'O.K. we admit it, camping at the Ecovillage retreat is awesome!' Yvonne and Angie have already upgraded their tent for next year's retreat, well done ladies!
Delving into the Powerful Retreat Sessions
Scott leading spiritual work in nature. He loves it.
Investigating the energy at one of the many local sacred power spots on the Ecovillage land.
The Dedication of Gandalf and Stryder
Two ancient douglad fir trees - power spots
Gandalf is first to be dedicated on this day.
There is a small number of ancient douglas fir trees on the Ecovillage land. We consider these fully sacred sites and part of the retreat was the process of dedicating these spots as official Ecovillage sacred sites with all the reverence that comes with this dedication (consecration).
Part of the ritual is creating a spiritual communication space with these great beings. One of the ways this is done is the laying on of hands.
The golden sash marks the sacred site.
The awe inspiring Aragon is next to be dedicated.
Scott at the base of Aragon/Stryder, waiting for the retreat community to gather.
On-going energy healings are always present at Lightwork events.
Colleen poses with some of the amazing food she gathered for this event. A staggering amount!
Applause erupted when the rice crispy squares arrived! Ah comfort food.
The Creation and Destruction Session
Creating with the land
Subtle beautiful creations made in silence. We felt their unique energies and then let them go. Returning the elements to the land.
The Moving From Spirit Session
Moving to the Music From Within
An Afternoon Adventure
Over the Wetland, Through the Old Growth Forest to the Sweet Sandy Beach
In the heart of the old growth forest Julia communes with elven delight.
Ahh our local sweet little sandy beach.
Final Sessions at the Sanctuary
The Spiritual Depth is Had By All
We were blessed with a full moon rising in the centre of our retreat viewed from the Hawk House deck over Howe Sound, with candles in the foreground. Moving.
Our first summer retreat at the Ecovillage was a profound success. We look forward to this bliss state again next summer.
