Family Retreat | Teen Registration | Ages 12-17
With Alexis Slutzky, Stacy Zumbroegel and Ann Hackney
July 11 - 17, 2019
“Survival of humanity depends on educating the hearts of children.”
– His Holiness the Dalai Lama
This year’s Family Retreat will explore the mandala principle, a universal map for inner and outer balance and wholeness. The mandala has as its basic structure the center and four directions, represented by five families of elements, colors, seed syllables, emotions, psychological types, and wisdoms. This retreat will include family activities, young people’s groups, a parent program, and free time. Dharma activities include songs, stories, skits, yoga, games, art, time on the land, a campfire, council practice, an optional solo wilderness fast for teens, parent discussions, meditation for all, and dharma talks.
The teens will be guided to dive deeper into their own relationship with themselves and each other during an optional 24-hour solo wilderness fast, with several preparatory and integration days. Teens will spend most of the retreat together with their guides in the Secret Meadow being sent off and received back by their families. Teens will need camping equipment and other items for their time in the Secret Meadow. A packing list will be sent out upon registration.
In addition to learning about the mandala principle, parents will have the opportunity to learn the meditation practice of the Mandala of the Five Wisdom Dakinis, developed by Lama Tsultrim Allione, to bring emotional transformation into alignment with the spiritual path. The Wisdom Dakinis are female deities in Tantric Buddhism who embody profound wisdom and the empowered feminine. Lama Tsultrim writes, “They are luminous, subtle spiritual energy—the gatekeepers and the guardians of the unconditioned wisdom and sacred earth.”
The following personal practices may also be incorporated into the program according to age:
- The 5-step practice of Feeding Your Demons®
- Guided journey with the Dakini
- Mandala work through handmade art
- Integration with the elements through meditation (outdoors if weather permits)
The Family Retreat is a true retreat experience that brings us face-to-face with our own experience and gives us the time and space to slow down and renew our personal practice.
In the first days of the retreat there will be a chance to switch your child into the younger group (9-11 years) if that feels like a better fit for them.
Open to all ages, four and up. Parents may bring children younger than four years old, but they must be accompanied by a parent or caregiver at all times.
Payment plans are available and scholarships are awarded as funds become available. Information and application can be found on our website.
Suggested Dana: $280 – $350
Important Note on Yurt Accommodation option
If choosing the ‘Co-ed yurt (all ages)‘ accommodation option please enter ‘female identify‘ as the gender option for all people registering despite their actual gender.
This is due to a limitation in our software :-/
About the Teachers
Alexis Slutzky
Alexis Slutzky, MFT is a mentor, educator, guide and facilitator whose work supports cultural restoration through listening and mindfulness practices, nature connection, grief tending, dream work, rites of passage and community ritual. Alexis holds a Master’s Degree from Pacifica Graduate Institute in depth psychology, is Adjunct Faculty at Antioch University, and a council trainer. She […]
Learn more about Alexis SlutzkyStacy Zumbroegel
Stacy Zumbroegel is a practicing counselor and meditation teacher who lives in Myanmar and California. Her love of the Dharma and Asian culture has her traveling throughout India, Nepal, and Myanmar. She has been practicing Buddhism for over twenty-five years. As a counselor and mentor, Stacy has experience working with youth and adults in many […]
Learn more about Stacy ZumbroegelAnn Hackney
Ann Hackney is a Transformational Wilderness Guide and Life Coach. She works with families, young women and groups to help them build authentic empowerment, transform through life transitions, initiations and edges, and deeply connect with nature. Ann is a skilled Earth Centered Healer, Herbalist, Naturalist, Guide and Educator. She has been diligently studying, teaching and […]
Learn more about Ann HackneyCategories : Introductory Retreats, Tara Mandala Colorado