Spring Awakening
A Celtic Journey of Renewal & Connection
Beltane
Deepen Your Connection to the Sacred World
Humanity, take a good look at yourself. Inside, you’ve got heaven and earth, and all of creation. You’re a world—everything is hidden in you.
Hildegard of Bingen
As the sap rises and the daylight lengthens, the fields and forest reawaken into the new life of spring. Rooted in pre-Christian Celtic traditions, the holiday of Beltane celebrates this blossoming into the bright half of the year.
In this weekend retreat, we’ll explore ways to deepen our connection with the sacred through the green, living world, beginning with some of the vibrant traditions of Beltane. Facilitator Rev. Simon Ruth de Voil will use song and story rooted in the Celtic Christian wisdom tradition, along with contemplative and creative practices, to help us awaken and bring our attention to the rising green of the land and of our own spirit.
Contemplations & Practices
- Walking meditation
- Experiencing the elements through ritual
- Relating with the forest through sung prayer & chanting
- Participating in practices that bring our full, sacred attention to the land
- Using outdoor contemplations & prayer to engage with the natural world
... For me to be a saint means to be myself. Therefore the problem of sanctity and salvation is in fact the problem of finding out who I am and of discovering my true self. Trees and animals have no problem. God makes them what they are without consulting them, and they are perfectly satisfied. With us it is different. God leaves us free to be whatever we like. We can be ourselves or not, as we please. We are at liberty to be real, or to be unreal. We may be true or false, the choice is ours.”
Thomas Merton
This program is ideal for those who are interested in contemplative and creative spiritual practice, and are curious about exploring parallels between Buddhist teaching and the Celtic Christian tradition. You’ll be invited to join in simple song and chant, but singing is optional!
Arrival & Departure
Friday, please arrive 3:00 - 6:00pm for registration.
Dinner will be served at 6:30pm.
The program will officially begin at 7:30pm.
On Sunday, the program will finish by 12:30pm with lunch afterwards.
Getting Here
Visit our Directions and Transportation page to see different options for traveling to Karmê Chöling including pick-up service from Hanover, Lebanon, White River Junction and Burlington to our front door.
Pricing
Karmê Chöling values its commitment to making programs affordable and available to all who wish to study with us. To support this commitment we provide two program price options.
Generosity Price: $265.00
You're able to help us with this commitment by choosing the "Generosity Price". The money above the basic tuition cost goes into a scholarship fund for those who might not be able to attend a program otherwise.
Tuition: $220.00
This is the price of the program, it does not include housing options or material fees.
Please Note:
Price does not include accommodations, which will be added during the registration process.
Policies
Payment Policies:
Please read the payment policy before proceeding with registration.
Financial Aid:
Karmê Chöling offers full-time student discounts, scholarships and other financial aid.
Program Credit:
If using existing program credit to pay for a program, you must pre-register for this program at least two weeks prior to the program start date by calling the front desk (802-633-2384 x3000). Program credit may not be used to pay for housing or practice materials and may not be used on or after arrival day.
Instructor
Reverend Simon Ruth de Voil is an ordained interfaith/interspiritual minister, trained to be a sacred presence outside the conventions of traditional religion. As a sacred musician, spiritual mentor and worship leader he incorporates chant, ritual, storytelling and mindful practice to create a space for profound connection and sacred witness. Simon provides music for worship, ceremony, and prayer in a wide variety of churches and non-religious spiritual communities. He particularly loves to create music for meditation, healing services, and rites of passage.
Simon is also an experienced workshop and retreat leader, drawing on 15 years of study, training, and practice that grew from his time living and working in Iona Abbey. Although influenced by many traditions, Simon's spiritual path and teaching is deeply rooted in Celtic Christianity, the wisdom of the earth, and in the Scottish land where he's spent most of his life.
Instructor:
Simon de Voil
Date & Time Details:
Location:
On-Land
Program Fee:
Generosity Price - $265
Tuition - $220
Room/Meals Fee:
This will be added in during the registration process.
View accommodations
Heart Gift:
Donation gift to the teacher.
Make a heart gift
Wellness Update:
Read our Wellness Policy
Getting to Karmê Chöling:
Contact Us:
Karmê Chöling
(802) 633-2384
info@karmecholing.org
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