Sixth Annual
Gathering in Gratefulness

February 20-22 , 2009
IONS Retreat Center - Petaluma, CA

Come to a weekend of spiritual renewal February 20-22, 2009 at the Institute of Noetic Sciences (IONS) Retreat Center in Petaluma, California.  Led by Br. David Steindl-Rast, Roshi Joan Halifax, and Tessa Bielecki, the retreat will allow you to explore the practice of grateful living – the ethics behind a sustainable global community – and will give you an opportunity to learn about supporting our non-profit, A Network for Grateful Living (ANG*L). Br. David and Joan Roshi have been inspiring retreatants together for more than six years, and their individual experience adds up to many decades. They are joined this year by Tessa Bielecki, a close friend and colleague who inspires people to navigate life’s tensions creatively and live with greater freedom of spirit. 

The weekend will be an in-depth educational experience for you to develop your own gratefulness practice, a spiritual path on par with yoga, meditation, and other traditional ways of seeking wholeness.  It also provides a chance to gather and ensure Brother David Steindl-Rast’s legacy and the viability of ANG*L in any of the many ways we have available to us: talents, skills, connections, expertise, and dependable financial support.  ANG*L's labor of love touches lives in more than 240 countries, and we receive countless variations on this kind message:  "I remain in awe of the work you all do and of the creativity that seems sewn into your spirits and souls.  It is one thing to live in mindfulness, quite another to be able to discover tangible ways to share it in such varied forms." 

Guests will include members of the Guardians for Gratefulness who have made long-term financial commitments to assure ANG*L's work will continue for years to come. We hope that some of you will be inspired by the Gathering to join them.

IONS is located 30 minutes north of San Francisco’s Golden Gate Bridge on 200 acres of beautiful rolling hills.  It offers such gifts as pristine live oak woodlands, meandering hiking trails, and panoramic vistas of the California landscape.  IONS' nourishing, inspired meals are created from locally grown organic foods, and all rooms are recently renovated and attractively appointed. Linens, blankets and towels are provided.  Room, board, and teachings are included in the fee of $500 (for commuters, $300, as long as spaces last). You can register here, and you will find payment instructions on this page.

Initial interest was five times more than any event we have previously held, and we expect the retreat to fill quickly.  We hope you can join us! For more information please contact us. 

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