Descent and Return: A Journey to Enliven One's Heart

     I have always been inspired by the transitions and cycles in our lives. These cycles of are a vitial part of the human experience and have been acknowledged for millenium in cultures all over the world.

       In this retreat, based on the myth of Inanna and Ereshkigal, we take a fresh look at the Cycles of Birth and Death, Grieving and Rejoicing. Each group and each individual see and hear something "new" in the story, because our understanding of a myth is informed by our personal life, the shared experiences of being human and the collective experience that unfolds continuously in the world we inhabit. 

       A myth is a timeless narrative; a container for incubating expansive, layered understandings that can be applied throughout the ages. Like a stone dropped into the still waters of a clear lake; a myth creates ripples that expand out from its center in ever widening circles; inviting us to enter where we may and carrying us onto new shores. 
       The Sumerian myth of Queen Inanna, ruler of the Upper Worlds of Heaven and Earth and Queen Ereshkigal, ruler of the Lower Realm, is a precursor to the myth of Demeter and Persephone. It introduces us to a primal experience of grief and loss and offers a unique map for relating to this experience. It presents a model for restoring wholeness after loss and for healing the split between our own realms of "Above and Below." One of the most radical gifts of this story is its description of the roles that humility and creativity, surrender and compassion play in moving us towards Revitalized Lives of courage and action.
      In the spacious beauty of Hondo mesa, stretched out between the Sangre de Cristos Mountains and the Rio Grande Gorge, we'll enter the territory of this timeless myth using poetry, sand tray, journalling, discussion and the healing touch of the natural world. Together we'll explore the guidance it offers for engaging with grief and loss and investigate ways to integrate the personal and collective wisdom that is illuminated by our own cyclical journeys of decent and return.

Opening session July 15th 7-9 pm followed by July 16th 10-5pm & July 17th 10-2pm
Hondo Mesa Zendo, 15 miles north of Taos New Mexico
                        Limited to 12 people.
Cost: $180 includes 2 lunches, snacks and materials.
Registration by June 24th - $150.
          for details and registration call Rose Gordon at 575-776-8705 or email redroses@taosnet.com
























I have always been inspired by the transitions and cycles in our lives. These cycles of are a vitial part of the human experience and have been acknowledged for millenium in cultures all over the world.


Our understanding of a myth is informed by our personal life, the shared experiences of being human and the collective experience that unfolds continuously in the world we inhabit. In this retreat, based on the myth of Inanna and Ereshkigal, we take a fresh look at the Cycles of Birth and Death, Grieving and Rejoicing Each group and each individual see and hear something "new" in the story.

A myth is a timeless narrative; a container for incubating expansive, layered understandings that can be applied throughout the ages. Like a stone dropped into the still waters of a clear lake; a myth creates ripples that expand out from its center in ever widening circles; inviting us to enter where we may and carrying us to the shoreline.

The Sumerian myth of Queen Inanna, ruler of the Upper Worlds of Heaven and Earth and Queen Ereshkigal, ruler of the Lower Realm, is a precursor to the myth of Demeter and Persephone. It introduces us to a primal experience of grief and loss and offers a unique map for relating to this experience. It presents a model for restoring wholeness after loss and for healing the split between our own realms of "Above and Below." One of the most radical gifts of this story is its description of the roles that humility and creativity, surrender and compassion play in moving us towards Revitalized Lives of courage and action.

In the spacious beauty of Hondo mesa, stretched out between the Sangre de Cristos Mountains and the Rio Grande Gorge, we'll enter the territory of this timeless myth using poetry, sand tray, journalling, discussion and the healing touch of the natural world. Together we'll explore the guidance it offers for engaging with grief and loss and investigate ways to integrate the personal and collective wisdom that is illuminated by our own cyclical journeys of decent and return.



Opening session July 15th 7-9 pm followed by July 16th 10-5pm & July 17th 10-2pm



Hondo Mesa Zendo, 15 miles north of Taos New Mexico

Limited to 12 people.

Cost: $180 includes 2 lunches, snacks and materials.

Registration by June 24th - $150.

for details and registration call Rose Gordon at 575-776-8705 or email redroses@taosnet.com