Web of Connection is looking forward to sharing this nature centered retreat with you. Aruna Dhammadhira and John Moeller will make the dharma come alive as we explore what is meant by "Our True Nature". October is a beautiful time of year in Divide, Colorado. The aspens will be in full color and the venue is surrounded by forest and has an extraordinary view of Pikes Peak.
Our program will include meditation, Dhamma talks, chanting, mindful movement and interactive inquiry. This retreat will be held within the container of noble silence and will be beneficial for people of all backgrounds and levels of experience.
Are your curious about the fall retreat venue? Click here and find out more!
Highlights from the WEB of Connection May 2023 Retreat

Our time together began on Thursday, May 25th, with a vegetarian/gluten free meal prepared by Web of Connection volunteers. We gathered for nourishment of body and mind and enjoyed the opportunity to get to know one another. Eighteen participants came for the 4 day retreat from the Colorado Springs, Denver area, west of Colorado Springs, and California.
Noble silence began Thursday evening; however, skillful/mindful interactive inquiry took place often during the retreat which reflected the retreat theme, “Mindfulness off the Cushion”. Monty Hall offered extraordinary insight from the retreat in the Web of Connection Newsletter you may enjoy. The highlights of the teachings from Aruna Dhammadhira and Sister Khemanandi regarding Mindfulness and Insight Dialogue were woven together with the mindful walking experience in the labyrinth.
The final take away from each retreat participant confirmed the retreat experience equipped each of us with the tools to be more mindful off the cushion. Pause-Relax-Open-Listen Deeply-Speak Authentically-Trust Emergence encourages and allows us to engage with our world with openness and honesty minus our own set or fixed agenda. Additionally as Monty so eloquently defines in the newsletter, the meaning of Sampajanna was more clearly comprehended through the final interactive inquiry in the Franciscan Retreat Center Peace Garden.
Many gathas were posted throughout the retreat venue to remind us to practice mindfulness with our daily routines. Gathas are small poems and can open and deepen our experience of simple acts which we often take for granted. We invite you to share in this practice with some gathas below in a slideshow.
Noble silence began Thursday evening; however, skillful/mindful interactive inquiry took place often during the retreat which reflected the retreat theme, “Mindfulness off the Cushion”. Monty Hall offered extraordinary insight from the retreat in the Web of Connection Newsletter you may enjoy. The highlights of the teachings from Aruna Dhammadhira and Sister Khemanandi regarding Mindfulness and Insight Dialogue were woven together with the mindful walking experience in the labyrinth.
The final take away from each retreat participant confirmed the retreat experience equipped each of us with the tools to be more mindful off the cushion. Pause-Relax-Open-Listen Deeply-Speak Authentically-Trust Emergence encourages and allows us to engage with our world with openness and honesty minus our own set or fixed agenda. Additionally as Monty so eloquently defines in the newsletter, the meaning of Sampajanna was more clearly comprehended through the final interactive inquiry in the Franciscan Retreat Center Peace Garden.
Many gathas were posted throughout the retreat venue to remind us to practice mindfulness with our daily routines. Gathas are small poems and can open and deepen our experience of simple acts which we often take for granted. We invite you to share in this practice with some gathas below in a slideshow.
The Franciscan Retreat Center is a peaceful, breathtaking setting in the foothills of the Colorado Rockies, located on the western edge of Colorado Springs, but a world away from the city. |
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