Michael Tomlinson's
A Gathering of Friends
Finding a Sense of Peace
in the Moment |
A one day
retreat, Saturday, Oct 13
~ Noon
-to-
6pm
Camp Long in West Seattle
|
Howdy my
friends,
I
recently performed a concert at Camp
Long, and the experience and people were
so enjoyable that it was just the nudge
I needed to cause me to decide to host
one of my Gathering Of Friends retreats
in that beautiful space. Several autumns
back quite a few of you came from around
the country to Camp Long when I hosted a
gathering that early Autumn. It’s such a
lovely time of year and I’m looking
forward to doing it again this October.
Often there is
something personal behind hosting these
gatherings, I will feel that there is
something in my own life that is really
worth sharing and I invite people and
talk about it and laugh and I sing some
songs, we take breaks and just gravitate
towards each other. A group of three or
four people may wander back to the shady
patio, another group walks down the
trail toward the fire pit. Everywhere
you look there are small gatherings of
people who didn’t know each other a few
hours before, but who are enjoying the
richness of being with people of such
good will and friendliness.
About
that theme I have been feeling drawn
towards; I have now been meditating for
four years. It has added depth to my
life, removed worry, caused me to like
myself and everyone else more. It has
made my health better and my feeling of
kindness deeper and easier to share. And
my creativity, both as an writer/artist
but also as a human being, friend and
neighbor, has blossomed in ways I am
constantly grateful for. Whether you
wish to meditate or not, you absolutely
can do things that will help you to be
more present in the moment — and more
calm and centered in the difficulties we
face today. It really is for everyone.
I have never held
a gathering that has not opened my own —
and many other people’s — hearts and
minds. At some point during every
Gathering there will be someone in the
group who tells a story or shares a
memory and we will all be left with
goosebumps, maybe our jaws hanging,
maybe with tears, often with hilarious
laughter. It happens every time. To me,
it’s the result of bringing people
together in good will. When you do that,
there will always be the richness of
character and vulnerability and trust
and kindness. Some people come and want
to listen the whole time. Others have
things to say. It goes as it goes, but
this I promise you — I do not put people
on the spot. I am there to welcome you
and to serve you. And we will have a lot
of fun along the way.
Camp
Long is an old scout camp now run by the
city of Seattle. There are trails to
wander if you wish — all of them wheel
chair accessible, as is the building
itself. Shady trees are everywhere.
Benches and interesting nooks are spread
throughout the camp and it makes for a
nice break if we want to get outside and
wander. And if you’re in an inside type
of mood, there are always people who
stay in the lodge when we take breaks.
Wherever you are, you’re going to enjoy
the people and space around you.
We’ll all bring
our own lunch and I’ll have some drinks
and snacks to share. I’ll send you all
the info you could want and make it very
easy for you to take part if this calls
to you. I hope it does. I have a strong
feeling that just as my music has done
for over 30 years, my sharing about
coming into the present moment will help
people to love their life more. I can’t
think of anything I’d rather do with my
life than this.
In Friendship,
~Michael |
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Tickets are $150/person |
ORDER
ONLINE
Please, no
refunds.
If you can't make it, Feel free to give to others and
send me their name and email address. |
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~ OR ~ ~
Order by Mail ~
email me the day
you are sending me a check and I’ll
secure your seats.
Send checks
for $150 each to: Michael Tomlinson / PO
Box 15248 / Seattle, WA 98115
|
All Tickets will
be emailed to you a few days before the
event.
Please, no
refunds.
Feel free to
give to others. Just send me their name
and email address. |
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