Returning from Kripalu 2010

Well I am back from my 6 day retreat at Kripalu, and I have to say that it was not only very different from my first trip to Kripalu, but it was different from anything I could have anticipated.  As many of you know, I left Antharia behind for a full business week, traveled to Western Mass., and spent the week with Jack Kornfield for a workshop called:

The Wise Heart in Hard Times: Living With Freedom and Compassion No Matter What

Well what can I say?  The workshop started almost immed. upon arrival on Sunday night. It started every day at 8:30 and went until 9 pm each night.  Yes, of course there were breaks.  2 of em: one for lunch, and one for dinner.  Both lunch and dinner were surrounded by about an hour, which was just enough time to schedule a one-on-one, or get in some Yoga or body work in one of the many other things going on at Kripalu.

Jack asked that we spend much of our retreat in silence, which is a lot easier than you may expect, even if you know me and my jabber mouth.  Somehow there is great peace in not having my iPhone or laptop and not having to talk to anyone.  There is no one to ask what I do, and no one to explain the psychological demographics that comprise their key stakeholders.  This is not to say the silence was never broken and I was never asked.  But all in all, the trip was spent in quiet mind and quiet heart.

I spent a lot of time reflecting on the December 21 loss of my Mother Sharon K. Smith.  Thank you again to all of you that have contributed to her memorial and thank you for all the loving emails, cards and loving kindness that you have offered my way.  2009 was not only a economic hardship on all of the country, but it seemed it closed out with a heart full of pain and conflict.

I took some pictures here and there for my retreat so I thought I would start off by sharing those.  Best to start with the easy stuff than head into the things that may make you run away :)  so lets get to it.

Kripalu Adventure: Via Pictures (part 1)

Kripalu used to serve only veggie and vegan food but now has added some meat products: turkey and chicken.  They still serve coffee until 4, but those of us that seek our caffeine in Coca-Cola format are still out of luck.  Knowing this, I always make one last stop at the Albany Airport before crawling into the private shuttle to the center.

At a buck twenty-five each, (which is not so bad for a vending machine) I loaded up my carry-on--which, as you can see, already had some snacks and goodies waiting for me--with four 12 ounce sodas.

So now I am all set and ready for the 60-80 min shuttle ride from Albany to Kripalu.  I admit now, it was very cold in New York and Western Mass, but the snow I'd left behind and then came home to in Maryland was prettier and a sight for sore eyes :)

So we arrive at Kripalu just past 6 pm on Sunday and it is time for a quick bite to eat before the kitchen closes and then the program starts at 7:30.

Here we have the sanctuary where the retreat took place.  The seating you see is how we sat and meditated during the classes and week.  I found that I would go from floor to chair to floor to chair to laying down to standing.  My butt would like a divorce as it actually knew pain.

In this pic you can see Jack Kornfield getting ready to start one of our sessions.  He, of course, has written so many amazing books, but one of his tell-tale teaching signs is these tattered and torn sheets of paper he carries. Notes, and poems, and stories he uses in class.  They are not all contained in a book or somewhere you can find them, but he always lets you come sift through, so you can make note or copy down what you need.

Kripalu is not about posh but you are well taken care of.  Here you see my room.  As a monastery the rooms are very sparse but comfortable.  I chose to share a room this trip with a wonderful woman who I am sure I will speak of in future entries.

My transportation was provided in kindness by a sponsor.  I had about 3 hours to kill at the Albany airport on my way home.  I have to tell you though I don't mind and never will being stuck at this airport.  Where else are you going to find a Meditation Room?

Here we see the meditation room at Albany Airport. 

Ok, so this is the big haha share of the trip. I had my four cokes, which you saw from earlier, but I knew from earlier trips that there was in fact a vending machine at Kripalu.  I found said machine, dropped in my buck and got a Blue Sky Cola.  I loved Blue Sky from college so I was happy to have the ice-cold cola.  After all it is the carbonation and cola taste I like.

But what, to my surprise, do I see when I look at the back of the can?  Happily I see no artificial flavors, no preservatives, sodium free, no fructose syrup, but what... no caffeine?  What say you?  I was actually shocked.  But in all honesty, I enjoyed it just the same.

So what can I say?  I had an amazing time.  So much so that I could not fill this blog with everything I learned, experienced or shared if I took 20 hours.  It was amazing.  Jack is an inspirational teacher.  I came home rejuvenated with thoughts on mindfulness, and how to approach some of the things in life none of us can get around.  All in all it was an amazing adventure.  I will be sharing some additional pictures and for those of you that sponsored me, I will be, as promised, uploading the sketch book of my drawings and such.  I have to warn you, it is full: Jenn got first peek and said "wow, it is a lot." :)

Hope you enjoy!

Posted by Jordan Dossett on February 04, 2010 at 07:11 pm EST

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