Hello Friends

Spring blossoms into summer and seemingly in a flash there is this burgeoning of colors, new birds, and blooms and leaves weighing down branches which just yesterday were bare.

So it is… A few yesterdays ago we wondered how we would get through this new way of doing things, this time where everything seemed upside down and so unpredictable. Today there is perhaps peace with the unpredictable and a willingness to find new ways to do old things.

Here at Springwater Center we will continue to offer online retreats in place of in-person ones until we can once again safely assemble here. So far these virtual retreats have been very well received by participants. It has been surprising how connected a group of people can become even with miles in between them. More information follows in this update

Online All Day Sitting – May 30, 8 am – 4 pm

All Day Sittings are one of the most popular ways to participate in the work of Springwater Center. We come together for a day of sharing silence, sitting, listening, and meditative dialogue. The day begins at 8:30 a.m. with silent sitting and includes a talk by one of our teaching staff and a group dialogue in the afternoon. The online schedule is very similar to the in-person All Day Sitting. Please register via email info@springwatercenter.org and include your first and last names and whether you have attended a Springwater event in the past. Registered participants will receive Zoom link access numbers prior to May 30.

There is no fee for attending but as always donations are gratefully accepted.

Donate

7 Day Online Retreat with Stephan Bielfeldt – June 6-13

“…And so we have week-long meditation retreats: to open ourselves to what is here and now, to become aware from moment to moment. What is beautiful about it is that you don’t have to do anything—it happens all by itself.”

Stephan lives in northern Germany and has been doing meditation work and holding retreats in both German and English since 2003. He has come to Springwater and led this seven day retreat in June for a number of years. This year Stephan will facilitate the retreat from his home in Germany via Zoom. Participants can attend the retreat for any number of days and can join at any time. Days attended need not be consecutive. Register for this retreat by clicking the Register button below.

Participants will receive Zoom link access codes, a general schedule and instructions for signing up for individual meetings with Stephan prior to the start of the retreat.

While online retreat fees and donations are much appreciated and are helping to sustain the Center through a difficult time, we welcome participants regardless of their ability to pay.

7 Day Online Retreat with Richard Witteman, June 27-July 4

“Meditation is an invitation to wonder and curiosity. An invitation to soften around our ideas of what life is or should be, and to enter into the fullness of our moment to moment experience.”

Richard, who has led retreats at the Center since 2003, will facilitate this online retreat from his home in Gulala, CA.
Participants can attend the retreat for any number of days and can join at any time. Days attended need not be consecutive. Register for this retreat by clicking the Register button below, making sure that you select the June 27-July 4 retreat.

Participants will receive Zoom link access codes, a general schedule and instructions for signing up for individual meetings with Richard prior to the start of the retreat.

Again, while contributions to attend are much appreciated and needed, we welcome participants regardless of their ability to pay.

Timed Sittings and Dialogues

The Center continues to offer opportunities for members and friends to sit together via Zoom. Timed sittings and open group dialogues occur when there is no online retreat in progress.

Sittings:
Tuesday through Saturday 8:30 am – 8:55 pm
Tuesday and Saturday 2:00 pm – 2:25 pm

Group Dialogues:
Tuesday and Saturday 2:30 pm – 3:45 pm

Zoom Meeting ID: 424 942 315
Password: 7179

When will there be in-person retreats at Springwater Center?

Some have been asking this question and the answer is, we don’t know. Like many others we are waiting to hear when organizations like ours can safely open to accommodate visitors again. Until that is possible we will offer online retreats in lieu of in-person ones.

Some words from a friend during this time of pandemic

From Isabel Meisler: I am deeply sorry about the May silent retreat that I have been looking forward to, but sad chiefly for the hardship loss of retreats bring to the Center. . . . perhaps another year I can come back in May. It is a beautiful time there, full of springtime flowers, greening grass and leaves, and the jeweled warblers heading up from the tropics. Nature creates such peace and serenity around you, as do the retreats. . . .

Though I hear the suffering of this time in so many contexts, I am greatly enjoying the solitude. So in truth it has in many ways been like the silent retreat, with many gifts. I am content. My daily life does unfold with ease, yet I am very aware of the privilege of shelter and food.

This is an extraordinary time to go within and discover new layers of Being, new and better ways of living . Many are heeding the call.

My warm embrace ( beloved Toni’s favorite signature), to all of you , and deep gratitude for your ongoing service , in a world so hungry for what you provide.

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June News Update