Jul 02
Stillness, Darkness, Formlessness: A Contemplative Cave Experience
Covington,
VA
When working up a description of a contemplative retreat, I often begin by stating the themes that the work will engage. In this instance though, it seems more appropriate to ...
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When working up a description of a contemplative retreat, I often begin by stating the themes that the work will engage. In this instance though, it seems more appropriate to describe the themes by which we will be disengaging. For the human psyche, profound stillness is vitally beneficial. Our capacity to unfocus from the world of ever-changing forms is always with us, and from it can arise great solace, immense creative potential, an openness to change, and deep, abiding compassion. Everyday life in the modern age presents a mounting challenge to access this still point.
Formlessness is a state that is deeply encouraged by all the natural elements of caves: darkness, uniform temperature and humidity, extremely slow change, and the near absence of sound. What does it look like to have a collective experience of formlessness and what might that experience afford us? With the cave as our ally and guide, we will weave the thread of this question through contemplative practices that counsel silence before sound, darkness before light, and emptiness before thought.
~ Jenne
What to expect:
Expect a mildly exerting - and muddy - caving journey on the way to an underworld sanctuary. Once we have arrived, we will provide you with plenty of time and space to connect to the earth and to your own inner formlessness, enhanced by guided and unguided meditations, by silence, and by explorations in sound.
Expect an opportunity to hear Jenne make a musical offering.
Expect to commit to the full duration of the retreat. This will include staying overnight on Friday and Saturday. It is essential that we convene on time as a group on Saturday morning for introductory activities and safety instructions. Because most of us will be coming from out of town, this will require getting a full night of sleep either in a personally booked hotel in the nearest town or by camping, free of charge, with Keely and Jenne near the cave entrance. This will ensure a prompt start on Saturday morning. We will hold our closing circle in the late morning on Sunday, camping by the cave entrance on Saturday night.
Expect to be fed! Lunch and dinner on Saturday, as well as breakfast on Sunday, will be provided. Please bring along personal snacks and plenty of water. Also, let us know if you have any dietary preferences or restrictions.
Expect great attention to personal and group safety. Caving equipment will be provided. Keely has advanced knowledge of guiding cave trips and will provide us with detailed instructions before and during our time in the cave.
Where??!!
There are a number of caves that Keely has had the privilege of exploring along Interstate-64 between Lewisburg, WV and Covington, VA. We are in the final process of deciding which cave will best suit this particular cave experience and will announce the cave site in early May. Lewisburg is a half-hour from Covington, so that should give you a general sense of location. In addition, further details on what to bring with you will be discussed in May.
How to register:
Please let us know if you are interested! Earlier is better for our planning purposes and also because group size will be limited. $125 to register, includes meals & caving equipment.
Volunteer scholarships are available to offset the full cost of registration for those with limited income.
We eagerly await your shared excitement! To express interest, ask questions, or to register, contact:
Jenne info@jennesluder.com
828 242 3406
~ OR ~
Keely keely@unstandardized.com
301 404 4875
ABOUT THE FACILITATORS...
Jenne Sluder is a mediator of nature-based therapeutic practices, community ritual, and wilderness rites of passage. She holds an MA in Transpersonal Psychology / Ecopsychology from Naropa University and a BA in Comparative Religious Studies / Environmental Studies from Guilford College. Her work engages the reflection between nature and psyche with an emphasis on authentic experiences in community. She has guided community experiences with diverse populations ranging from children to teenagers to adults and elders. Jenne is passionate about creative expression, intergenerational learning, and the revival of intimacy in human relationship and with the natural world as the healthiest context for human life.
Keely Owens is a lifelong caving enthusiast and active member of the Virginia area region of the National Speleological Society. She is also the proud mother of future astronaut Neeka Grimm (age 5), who just finished her own 12th wild caving trip. For the past three years, Keely has been guiding the curious into the fabulous tunnels of limestone underlying the aging Appalachians, with the goal of opening hearts and minds to receive the wisdom of the ancient caves. Keely holds an MA in Transpersonal Psychology/Ecopsychology from Naropa University.
