What happens
when nearly 30 women get together at lovely San Geronimo Lodge in Taos for
Pilates, ‘lotions and potions’, worship, pampering and quiet? You have a lot of
laughter and a retreat that lives up to its name by refreshing Mind, Body, and Spirit.
The Taos Body, Mind, Spirit Retreat, billed as a time of ‘pampering
of body, mind, and spirit’ was indeed all that and more. We started on Friday
night with a get to know you game using M&M’s. This was followed by a
delicious dinner, an introductory talk by Cindy that included a reading of the
children’s book The Contented Little Pussy Cat. Cindy suggested we all take the
advice of Abner (the contented little pussy cat) and ‘not worry about what
happened yesterday, or what might happen tomorrow’ but to let the world role on
without us over the weekend.
The Rev. Pam Tyler, serving in a dual role as priest and
Lodge owner/hostess, invited each woman to choose an object from the tablescape
to meditate on throughout the weekend. In table groups, the women shared with
each other what they chose and why. The evening closed with Compline in the
chapel area of the Lodge.
After breakfast, the women gathered in the so called ‘wedding
pavilion’ area for Eucharist officiated at by the Rev. Pat Green and music led by Gay Crouch. Pat’s sermon
brought the story of Esther to light in a new and fascinating way. Esther was
wise enough to learn from the chief of the harem and willing to not be boxed in
by society’s description of her as a ‘Jewish orphan girl’. Instead, she left
that behind and became queen of Persia (and ultimately saved the Jews). Pat
asked us to consider the boxes we allow ourselves to be put in and how we might
break out of them.
Pam gave the keynote talk about our bodies as Sacred Space.
She noted that as women, gathered together, we are a sacred space. We are also
individually each Sacred Space. We are part of God’s creation, which he
proclaimed ‘good’. We are a walking Temple of God. Being a Temple involves
preparing a space for God through maintenance. This is things like food and
exercise, of course, but also involves setting boundaries. We need boundaries
against violence, violating, being used, etc. When we hurt ourselves, are hurt, or allow
hurt, we are in essence, hurting God.
The mandate from the Gospel reading at the Eucharist: “Love
the Lord your God…love your neighbor as yourself” can too often be a lopsided
triangle with loving self being left out. It should be an equilateral triangle
where we love ourselves because we love and are loved by God and therefore we
can love our neighbor.
Pam suggested the book Our
Selves, Our Souls, and Bodies as a resource. She ended the talk by sharing
a bumper sticker that could have been the theme of the weekend: “Don’t Postpone
Joy”.
During the first ‘pampering session’, women had the
opportunity to try out Pilates or hear Nutrition Tips for healthy eating. Some
took the opportunity to walk the labyrinth or prayer walk or just sit and
journal or read. The loose structure of the schedule allowed women to experience
what they wanted to as they felt the need. Chair massage and pedicure stations
were added to the choices, too.
After lunch, participants heard from Rachel Cox of the Taos
Community Against Violence shelter. Rachel opened by saying that ‘trauma is
something that happens that you don’t want.’ She shared statistics about
domestic violence and rape, noting that 35% of women around the world are
victims of rape. Rachel asked us to re-think our response when we hear of
someone in an abusive situation. Too often we subconsciously and subtly blame
the victim with our words. We say “Why does she stay?” rather than “Why doesn’t
he stop hitting her?” Blaming the victim protects us so that we don’t have to
see that we are, in reality, just as vulnerable as the victim.
When we realize that we, too, are vulnerable, we can be
supportive. Rachel stated that the most important part of breaking the cycle is
ending the ‘secrecy code’ that abusers use to keep the victim compliant. When
we are willing and able to be vulnerable and supportive, we act like geese in
formation. The ‘V’ formation offers lift to those in the back and the geese
take turns being in the lead. Those in the back honk out encouragement to those
in front. We can do the same thing when we support victims and quit blaming
them, even in subtle ways.
Rachel handed out informational brochures. Retreat
participants had donated a car-load of toiletries including lotions and
shampoos for the CAV.
The rest of the afternoon included 2 more ‘pampering
sessions’ with a presentation of DoTerra Oils and of Mary Kay products. Women could
do crafts, meditate, walk, take advantage of the massages and/or swim in the
pool.
Later in the afternoon, everyone gathered to discuss
insights from the weekend, esp. those relating to the object chosen from the
tablescape. There was then time to swim and rest before dinner. After dinner, a
lively game of FAITH Bingo was played for several door prizes, the ultimate
prize being a free stay at the Lodge.
Plan to attend the next DRG Women's Retreat (Nov. 8-9) and be part of the fun. Check out the What's Happening Page for other events in the planning stages!
March 2 (8-6): A Lively Lent in Thought, Word, and Deed a retreat for women at St. Francis on the Hill, El Paso with Bishop Vono as keynote speaker. 
