More photos, 2015 Woolly Mammoth Retreat
Monthly Archives: May 2015
Less Structure, More Intimacy
Beltane Beltane Moon
The Woolly Mammoths have gathered annually for 28 years, this in addition to twice monthly meetings. In the early years we had highly structured retreats, with each man expected to present an hours worth of reflection on mother, father, death, pilgrimage, themes that mattered to us at the time. We may have needed the careful boundaries to insure we didn’t get too close, have too much time for random conversation.
Over the last several years our retreats have become less structured, often lacking even the semblance of structure beyond beginning and end. This year had a little structure, a trip to the International Wolf Center, a meal prepared by star chef Haislet, a dramatically presented poem, but for the most part we gathered in small groups or one on one. We talked about travel plans, retirement, marriage, health, books, Chinese tea. Some kayaked, others hiked, a couple napped.
We came together three times a day for meals, but otherwise the time was mostly self-0rganizing. And very comfortable. Intimate.
I suspect this is the pattern of the future. And the future may be, will be different. It might involve electronic gatherings via skype or adobe or some other conferencing type of software. We are aging and will not always be able to gather in strength. We have to plan now to keep our group vital.
Camp du Nord and Ely
Beltane Beltane Moon
Places are strange
Beltane Beltane Moon
The plane performed its wonder, lifting a couple of hundred people into the air. The full Beltane moon lit up the clouds passing by underneath. I stared out the window, a bit confused, leaving Minnesota to return home. This required an adjustment in my thinking.
Then, when I arrived at my home airport, it was strange, another place on the road with unfamiliar paths and habits. Mostly I enjoy learning new things, but it was 10 pm, almost my bedtime and I stumbled a bit, as I would in an airport unknown to me. This experience conflicted with Kate waiting in the cell-phone lot, ready to pick me up and take me back to the mountains. Odd.
Coming home to Colorado, the first time from away. The Woolly retreat for 2015 now over.
It’s a cliche. Felt like I never left. But true. Slipping back into the physical presence of my friends, my Woolly brothers, was like putting on a comfortable shirt. It just fit. Coming as it did a couple of weeks after the start of the prostate path, it was especially welcome. One friend has had prostate surgery. Another knew many who had. Most of the news was positive. Cures, few side effects. Offers to talk further as the path winds on. So welcome.
I suspect the level of my comfort at Camp du Nord, about a half-hour north and west of Ely, figured inversely to the level of strangeness I felt when returning to Colorado. But. I had no desire to remain in Minnesota, to reconsider our decision. I wanted to get home.
More on the retreat later.