The DeKoven Center’s Annual Summer\Meditation-Intensive Retreat

In stillness and movement, we touch the silence
Made possible by The Linda Ts’o Fund for Cross-Cultural Spirituality

With Raj Alwa, Mary’s Margin Community (Dorcas, Letitia, and Donna) & Travis Du Priest
Friday Evening through Sunday Morning July 15th - 17th, 2005

This unique retreat comprises rounds of meditative sittings in silence and stillness punctuated with brief movement/simple dance meditations and intermittent brief talks on meditation practice. The retreat is planned so that it will be equally beneficial and adaptable for first-timers as well as those long practiced in meditation. All scheduled activities are optional.

Daily Schedule
Friday, July 15th
Arrivals & Registration
Taylor Hall (4:00pm - 6:00pm)—Please check with Raj in the Meditation Chapel and select a sitting position
Reception The Library (5:00pm)
Dinner Taylor Dining Room (6:00pm)
All Sessions take place in the Meditation Chapel in Taylor Hall
Welcome, Orientation, & Introductions (7:30)
Movement/Simple Dance Practice with Dorcas, Leitita, and Donna (8:00-8:30)
Short Address & 20-Minute Still Sitting with Raj 10-Minute Dance/Movement Meditation with Dorcas, Letitia, and Donna

Please keep strict silence and minimum eye contact now until the end of retreat. If you have a request, please hand a note to a staff member.

Saturday, July 16th
Sun Salutation/Postures, Morning Sittings with Raj (6:30-8:00)
Breakfast Taylor Dining Room (8:00)
Sittings (25 mins - 10 mins of dance/movement - 25 mins) with Raj (10:30-11:30)
Luncheon Taylor Dining Room (12:00)
Free Time or Conferences or Massage (1:00 - 4:00)
Sign-up Sheets outside Chapel/Meditation Room in Main Hallway Raj: Family Room, Lower Level (location subject to change) Massages: Park Room, Lower Level (location subject to change)
Anyone wishing a conference with Fr. Du Priest may hand him a note requesting a 15 to 20 minute time slot between 2:00 and 3:00
Different Meditation/Exercise “toys” in The Library
Swimming or Floating in the Pool is available from 4:00 to 4:45 (must have 2 or more to use the pool together) Please see Dorcas or Donna if you wish to swim or float in the pool during this time
Afternoon Sittings (25 mins - 10 mins of dance/movement - 25mins) with Raj (5:00 - 6:00)
Dinner in Taylor Dining Room (6:00)
Drumming/Sound/Life Rhythms with Raj (7:00-7:10)
Stillness, with Raj (7:10-7:30)
Vigil of Sunday (7:30)
The Vigil begins on Saturday Evening and continues through the Gospel Of the Sunday Eucharist. There will be five minutes of silence after each reading, and a walking/danced meditation before the Gospel. The Vigil concludes with a Candle Dance.

Sunday, July 17th
Sun Salutation/Postures with Raj (7:00-7:15)
Early Morning Sitting with Raj (7:15-7:45)
The Holy Eucharist continues from the Night Before (8:00 - 9:15)
Danced/Movement Meditation Gospel, Group Sharing & Holy Communion & free-style dance-movement-procession into the Dining Room
Brunch (Talking) 9:15 Departures

Our retreat conductor, Raj Alwa, is a holistic practitioner in Lake Geneva and life-long student of meditation practice. Dorcas, Letitia, and Donna host guests at Mary’s Margin House of Prayer in Mukwonago; Dorcas and Letitia are well practiced in folk and movement/dance instruction. Travis is the director of The DeKoven Center and participates in “inner meditative inquiry.”

We hope your stay at DeKoven will be a pleasant one. Enjoy the Quadrangle & meditation and secret gardens. There is a Gratuity Box in Fireside Room for Food Service & Housekeeping.