I joined Ishayas from New Zealand, Australia, and Canada on a week-long retreat in New Zealand to ring in 2013. What an experience!
We convened at a center in Castle Hill, which is about in the center of the South Island. Notice the rain in the background on the mountains. Also notice the solar panels on the roof of the Centre. That provided the hallway nighttime lighting.
Talk about Middle Earth from Lord of the Rings! In order to be lush, the rains came, and even left snow on the mountaintops! And what beautiful sunrises!
The Ishaya hosts prepared a special New Year’s celebration. A performance, including an appearance from Santa, Lady Gaga and the Blue Man, with lots of sparkles and bubbles highlighted the night.
There were scheduled to be fireworks, and the rain delayed them until the end of the week. With all fire precautions, they went off spectacularly!
As we settled into the week retreat, there were opportunities to take hikes in the surrounding “bush” as they call the forests. There even was a path to a “Magic Pond” which I visited. It was magical as some birds landed in the tree above me and serenaded for a stretch.
Back at the retreat center, we had daily activities as well as time for meditation.
One morning, we participated in a program called “Painting from the Source.” Gillian displays her painting.
A highlight was a group trip to Castle Hill, the megalithic formation that gives the area its name. It was considered a sacred place of learning for the ancients.
After scampering over some of the rocks, we settled down to meditate in the “Birthplace of the Gods.”
Later, we hiked to a spring coming out of the earth. Those of us who have Aotea stones dipped them in the water. As I was walking back, I felt an upsurge of joy!
The second to the last day on the retreat, it was warm enough to go swimming! I joined a group going to the Broken River nearby. We had to ford the stream to get to the swimming hole.
First, we explored the opening to a cave.
Then we plunged into the swiftly moving river. From our climb back up, we could see the river as it continued its course.
I found wild roses growing nearby. And wildflowers in the fields.
Then it was time to say good-bye to Castle Hill and catch the shuttle to Christchurch.
The whole retreat was one of flow, and that’s what we were headed for on the road . . .
