"There is some kiss we want
with our whole lives." Rumi The "kiss" we yearn for is a joyous and loving relationship with our world and our true self. We all want to live with passion, to feel engaged with life, to be in love with the moment we're in , even if it's a difficult moment. On our paths of self discovery we may have sensed that there is a higher Something, a sacred Other , inner guide, animus or anima, our very Soul , that can accompany us on our immense journeys. This inner Beloved is the felt presence that has been waiting to escort us to our higher self, and ultimately to all that we hold most sacred. When we enter into partnership with this mysterious, alluring presence we are transformed. The Beloved is an archetype in the poems of mystics, the myths and legends of many lands, the stories of all the world's religions. The Beloved , elusive, yet so accessible, always beckoning, loving us utterly , is our guide to our own Becoming. On their first journey to this discovery, people meet all kinds of beings: gods and goddesses, light, animals, handsome Lakota warriors, beautiful women, little boys and girls, an intimate dancing partner in a silk dress, or a being in a tree. The Beloved's role in our life is to help us step into the whole world as if into the arms of a waiting lover. The woods and pathways of Rowe are filled with ideal trysting places for encounters with the Beloved. Under Trebbe's inspired guidance, you'll be encouraged to develop your relationship with this sacred Other in several ways: guided meditation, solo walks in nature, personal ceremony, and communicating with the Beloved through inner dialogue and sharing. We'll have the opportunity to tell our stories, make our experiences real and let each person's story enhance the stories of others, so that the group creates a real mythos together. Our time as a group will be devoted to strengthening, deepening, and exploring this relationship to see where it leads and how it can change our lives. It is possible to access the world beyond the veil of the everyday, to reach passion and wisdom, insight and clarity. In the company of the Beloved, the way is so much easier than if we walk alone.
Trebbe Johnson leads workshops, ceremonies, and vision quests internationally from Northern Ireland to Ground Zero in New York City. Her writing on myth, nature, and spirituality is published widely, and her video "Only One Earth," produced for the United Nations' celebration of Earth Day won a Telly Award. She is currently working on a book, The Holy Longing, and we welcome her on her first visit to Rowe.