home | about | facilitators | articles | monthly gatherings | retreats | video
| blog | read | links | donate! | contact
by Jerry Buie
Queer Spirit is about ALTERNATIVES
Queer Spirit is about COMMUNITY
Queer Spirit is about NEW EXPERIENCES
Queer Spirit is about DIGGING DEEP.
Queer Spirit is about FINDING new gifts, talents, perspectives and self-confidence.
Queer Spirit is about finding a HOLISTIC approach to life.
Queer Spirit is about INTIMATE SHARING
Queer Spirit is about RITUAL to release, Open up, Expand And Create
Queer Spirit is about NEW Agreements and Understandings (new Stories)
Queer Spirit is about LAUGHTER
Queer Spirit is about JOY
Queer Spirit is about Celebrating
Queer Spirit is about CREATING a safe place for everyone.
Queer Spirit is about finding the QUEER SELF and integrating this into our lives with pride, honor and confidence!
Each Queer Spirit Retreat is a unique experience, as unique and profound as the individuals who attend. What follows the retreat is the opportunity to continue the work we establish at the retreat. We hold the retreat at Windwalker Ranch where we enter nature and meditative settings, where as a group or tribe of men we can gather together to facilitate the safety and security of each other. This retreat allows for intimate time in our sharing, communications and processes with each other.
As people develop interest in the retreat we establish times and opportunities for the participants to get together prior to the retreat, to introduce themselves and begin “breaking the ice” to facilitate relationships that will encourage a more open process between participants. Our eventual goal prior and after the retreat is to create a community of gay men who support each other on many levels that are often not found in current social venues in the community. We found in April 2007 that this worked best and elevated the process of “getting to know each other” and allowed for an established sense of trust. At least monthly we have gotten together to share food, experiences and encouragement as well as laughter and good stories. Participation is not mandatory in these gatherings but a helpful option in getting to know each other. Dates for these gatherings are established on the Queer Spirit Blog and currently include experiential sessions on Meditation and Relaxation, Sweat Lodge Ceremonies, Yoga, Pipe Ceremonies, and Body Sensual Workshops. As we establish ourselves there are guest lecturers we anticipate bringing to SLC to discuss the issues of Queer Spirituality. The goal is to create a community of queer brothers who are there to share and witness each other in a supportive manner under many circumstances.
The retreat itself includes establishing a sacred place to do our work. We find that ceremony and ritual can be a powerful way to create intention and focus as we begin this weekend. Not all retreats are the same; the discussions and processes vary according to the participants. We like to gather on Friday afternoon at Windwalker Ranch, which in and of itself is a beautiful experience as we connect with the land. Windwalker is an established Dude Ranch in Spring City Utah with modern facilities including beds, showers, linens and great country food while still being in the middle of an ancient cedar forest. Those who attend Windwalker immediately notice the special nature of this retreat center. On Friday evening we have made arrangements to enjoy the beautiful star filled night and dance with the Bon Fire, a fire we use to release and let go of stories of shame, doubt, fear or anything else that binds/restricts us. We create the sacred fire to release the issues and inhibitions that domesticate our thinking and the expressions of who we are. This fire will be fun, meditative and invigorating. It is not uncommon for someone to bring a guitar or for a cowboy singer/poet to show up and share his talent.
Saturday we spend time in circle (Heart Circle for those familiar with the process). In this circle we share what brings us here, witness and support others and explore options in our story. We examine what it means to be Queer, we unfold what we desire for ourselves and we consider possibilities.
Some of our day will be spent hiking to places on the land known to enhance our ability to open to visions; we will participate in guided meditations and possibilities. We will spend amble time discussing the ritual and facets of the Native American Sweat Lodge and how this ceremony will increase our opportunity for growth and healing.
Sunday we will spend time processing the experience of the weekend and the many new discoveries we have enjoyed, planning for the future to keep the process moving from the retreat.
There will be time for smaller group activities such as hiking, horseback riding (additional fees), swimming, and optional activities.
Each morning we engage in Yoga for all capacities and capabilities, using the Yoga and Movement of our bodies as a vehicle to reaching deeper parts of ourselves and opening ourselves to possibilities.
This is a brief outline of what can be; we look to participants for input in what they are looking for. Our goal: Increasing our sense of identity, appreciation and celebration as gay men with purpose and pride, we access who and what we are.
WHAT DO I BRING:
Journal
Camera
Sensible lipstick
Weather conditions vary so plan on cool evenings and nice days.
Jeans if you plan on horseback riding.
Closed toe shoes for horseback riding as opposed to sandals.
Bathing Suits
For after lodge, some nice warm sweats so as to not catch a chill
Sense of Humor
Light Hearts
Open Minds
If you own a drum, chimes, rattles, anything to make noise we can use it and incorporate it..... Don’t worry if you don't have these I can bring an ABBA CD.
Windwalker supplies all linens, blankets, and towels.
Typical travel needs apply in terms of clothing and toiletries.