What's New at Still Point?


                   Spring at Still Point          
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            Sounds At Still Point

The wind, billowing through the forest,
Reminds us of ocean waves gathering,
Rolling and running to meet the shore.

Falling rain on the pond and pavements, Quenches the thirsty earth, washing the world
With liquid drumming until like a heart beat,

It's final drops invite us outside to a
Day-dream dance, as warm sunlight rests
On flowering crab trees filled with bees.

The bees are humming just one note.
Just Below middle C.....they are buzzing a B.
How can this Be? Bees singing B!!!!!

What other wonders have we missed?
What songs have we yet to hear?
Are we really listening?

                                        Sr. Anne
                                                  May 2008
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 In the human being, emptiness becomes love. When we touch that Source, instantly the love is present. Literally the divine
becomes human and the human becomes divine.                                        Adyashanti
Shared with us by Jane Davis, friend of Still Point.
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THE CIRCLE OF WISDOM

(3/14/08)

One dark night
    as I drifted
      deeper and deeper
into the nightscape of my soul,
                               I had a dream.

A blanket of gray fog
    enveloped me,
       obscuring everything
behind an impenetrable wall of mist.
    Tiny beads of moisture
        formed on my face
as I shivered in the chill wetness.

The silence lay
    thick and heavy upon me.
      I could see nothing.
          I could hear nothing.
Yet I could not stand there
                  forever frozen in fear.

Even were I to step blindly
    over the edge of a sheer precipice,
        I must move on.
Even were I to walk unknowingly
    into a den of thieves,
        I must move on.
Even were I to wander aimlessly,
    lost forever,
        I must move on.

Cautiously
    I inched my foot forward,
        one step,
              then another
                     and another.
    Blindly I stumbled onward,
                  toward what I knew not.

 Relentlessly persisting in
    my pointless pursuit,
       the journey stretched on and on,
until finally…

Look ahead! There!
    My dull eyes perceive
        a faint, distant light ahead,
              obscure at first
   but burning brighter and brighter
                        with each step taken.

Emerging from my blindness,
    I see a circle
        of white-robed women
            seated around a blazing fire.
They are all smiling.
    Such peace
               is lined
upon each wise and wizened face.
      One seat is empty.
          They beckon to me.
"Come join us," they say.

What would it be like
    to be one of these?
        To share ancient wisdom
                        with such old souls?

I join them.

But now I know,
    it was no dream,
        but a vision of the reality
                   I am living now
with you.

By Carol D’Aleo

read to the Tuesday
afternoon meditation group
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Spring 2008 Programs: A word... 
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KNITTING RETREAT
Susan Jorgensen once again facilitated the knitting retreat here. Her ongoing presence and giftedness to the knitting retreat experience is a blessing to Still Point. This is an experience not to be missed.  Thank you, Susan!
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A TEA TO CELEBRATE WISE WOMAN  
                   JUDY CLOUGH
We paid tribute to Judy in the midst of a supportive community. Judy shared her journey which continues as she moves into her wisdom years. Her many friends related memorable experiences with Judy over the years. All resonated with her truth and benefited
from her insights. Thank you, Judy!
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A TEA TO CELEBRATE WISE WOMAN 
            LILLIAN NEEDHAM, SSJ
What a gathering of enthusiastic friends greeted Sr. Lillian as she returned to Still Point to share her story and the wisdom gained through her life experiences! The sharing was rich and inspiring. Every person spoke of an experience they remembered in their relationship with Lil. Lillian, whose passion is the transformation of consciousness, encouraged everyone on that path.
Thank you, Lil!
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REIKI CLASSES
Rowena Fay continues to offer Reiki I, II and III a and b classes. Those who have taken these classes embark first and foremost on a journey of self-healing. Many find themselves empowered and moving closer to being their AUTHENTIC SELF. Thank you, Rowena
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MEDITATION, CONTEMPLATION and  CENTERING PRAYER: Touching the Mystery Within  and Sunday Gatherings continue.  Thank you, Rowena! 
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Click here to read Appeal Letter

News from Still Point / May 2008

        Thanks Once Again!   

Don Peterson continued cutting up many of the logs which lie along
the road as well as some felled trees in the woods. He is busier than
a beaver planting trees and fruit bushes on Still Point’s land and
clearing scrub brush to allow for their growth.

 Lou and Judy Clough worked long hours on the screening-in of the
 porches on cabins 3 & 5.

 Peg Malloy raked dead pine needles and leaves.

 Louise Pinho & Gregrory Burnell move wood where ever it is
 needed.

 Janet McGhee donated her beloved popasan chair.

 Women from WomanWords donate paper products at their
 gatherings here.

 Cordula Feuerstack has another hive of honey bees which thus far
 is thriving. They do sound in the flowering trees.

 Donors to our gift shop (garage sale) have been numerous and
 often anonymous. Handcrafted goods, cheesecake, cards, and now
 T-shirts plus an assortment of items makes shopping there an
  interesting & unique experience!

                 Thank you, one & all!        

Donors from the Spring Appeal letter:
Felicitas Anderson, Richard Broderick, Joan Cheesman, Judy Clough.
Marybeth Cotrupi, Karen & Steve Costion, Jim & Carol D’Aleo,
Sharon Daley, Marilyn & Bill Day, Roberta Fay, Cordula Feuerstack,
Faith Girard, Jackie & Tom Going, Peg Griffin, Janice Joyce, Sally
Kemble, Diana Lesniewski, Suzanne Lynch, Ann McCullough, Cheryl
Miller, Anne Mosher, Martha Petersen, Louise Pinho, Penelope Poor,
Loretta Quigley, Helen Rosa, Rose Ryan & Trish Ford, Argie C. Serras, Monte & Anna Sugarman, Mary Swatt, Laura Threlkeld, Ken Tunny, Suzanne Veilleux, Gloria
Verdicchio, Dolores Wilson, Dee & Frank Wind and Marilyn Zaborek.

Every little bit helps and we are deeply grateful for every penny
contributed. If you responded to the Spring Appeal letter by
donating to Still Point and your name is NOT listed,
please let us know!
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In Memory of Bertha Mae Goman

Still Point received donations in memory of Bertha Mae Goman,
mother of Lynn Goman, long standing friend of Still Point!
Donors are Donna & Steve DiCesare, Mr. & Mrs. Michael O’Meara,
Patricia Finigan, Mary Canare, John & Sheila Gibson and
Calman & Susan Ambrosy,  

May Bertha be remembered forever!          
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Spring

Spring creeps ever so slowly into this part of the country. Even the
bright fire of the Spring Equinox celebration was set against lingering
ice and cold at Still Point’s fire pit.

When the red-winged blackbirds sounded their call and began their
 antics and rituals we finally believed that this elusive season was truly
on its way The finch and killdeer followed. Even the snow geese gave
us assurance sounding with loud honks as they passed overhead on
their return to their northern home. Finally, to top it all off, the
red-breasted grosbeak, orioles and our beloved hummingbirds
made their elegant and ever-moving appearances.

Spring is truly here despite the lingering chill in the air! Leaves finally
burst from their buds but anyone who has watched them over the
past months knows that they, too, crept out just as the perennials slowly
made their way to the earth’s surface.

Busy beaver are building dams which back up water onto the already
marshy land below the cabins and nature trail. What a raucous sound
arose when the peepers and tree frogs began their singing. Overnight
guests commented on the night activity which was in surround sound!

People continue to make their way to the variety of gatherings that are
offered at Still Point and there are those who wish to enter the
solitude and embrace the stillness  that can be found here. Whether it
be to find a point within of peace and wholeness or to write that which
is awaiting expression in words, the land beckons. Blessed is Spring.
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SPRING FED PRAYER

Let me be the spring-swollen stream
    Dancing over long frozen foundations
        Deliberately melting them into new forms.

Let me be this invincible stream
    Singing urgently ahead in exalted vitality
                  Never trapped on settled stones
       Lustily feeding earth’s unfurled growth in
                        fresh sprouts, innocent and new.
Seeking undiscovered chances at each descent and turn.

Not for me snow-laden winter trees, boughs
 bearing down in white weight and ponderance,
Heavy layers of seasoned messages, time-stopped
                     in crystal imagery.
Let me forge ahead incessantly
        Gurgling joy of new beginnings, unknown
                      futures, horizons not yet reached.

Kittie Coffey Bintz
2/16/2008
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                            Sacred Space
“Make Sacred Space and be reminded of who you are. You are spirit
in body, spirit in body, spirit in body...Sacred Space.” 
                                                                                               Shawna Carol
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Sacred Space

What a different world we would see were our eyes electron microscopes!
The vastness of the atom would be readily noted. Our bodies and everything
else would be seen for the energy that they are. Our consciousness would
be altered as our external senses would ‘see’ what mystics through the
centuries have noted: there is no separation! What happens to one
‘being’ affects everything, everyone. Perhaps we would feel more empowered
as we could ‘see’ that our energies truly affect everything. Our ‘actions’
are actually less important than the energy which gives rise to those actions.
It would be such a wondrous experience to simply ‘see’ the wave of a ‘hand’
as a wave of innumerable electrons and protons! The air which we perceive
as being empty space could be ’seen’ as a field of energy and The
Consciousness which pervades the ALL would be directly experienced.
The reality which many of us take for granted would be grasped as the
miracle it is: SACRED SPACE.                                          Rowena Fay
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 The recognition that the psyche is self-moving, that it is something genuine
which is not yourself, is exceedingly difficult to see and to admit. For it
means that the consciousness which you call yourself is at an end. You
discover you are not master in your own house, you are not living alone
in your own room, there are spooks about that play havoc with your
realities, and that is the end of your monarchy.              Carl Jung    
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NOURISHING SPIRIT: Six Saturday Retreats for Women
Starr R. DiCiurcio has developed retreat days which are unique,
stimulating and challenging for those who attend. A strong sense of
community and mutual acceptance has grown among these women.
Starr is well grounded and brings a varied and rich approach to these
retreats. Thank you, Starr! !
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SPRING EQUINOX CELEBRATION
Prayer, song, drumming and fire were elements of the Winter Solstice
ritual led by Lin Murphy. We spoke about our own journey of releasing
patterns and embracing new ways in harmony with the earth’s cycles.
Thank you, Lin!
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HEALING DAYS AT STILL POINT
Days For Healing continue to be offered once a month. We invite
anyone who is interested in healing to take part in this Saturday offering.
Come and see. Thank you, Sharyn, Penelope, Doug,
Marjolaine, JoAnn, Argie, Feli and Rowena!

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A WORKSHOP ON ECKHART TOLLE’S TEACHINGS
Tom Lindsay facilitated this gathering as they viewed Eckhart’s
teachings and then discussed their meaning and application. There
is now a group meeting here biweekly to continue discussion
and meditation on these issues. Thank you, Tom!
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DREAM WORK GROUP
Don Peterson continues to facilitate the dream work done in this
group setting. Unique and challenging are words sometimes used
 to describe the experience. Thank you, Don!
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A COURSE in MIRACLES STUDY GROUP
Rev. Penelope Poor consolidated her ACIM study groups.
They now meet in the United Methodist Church in Saratoga.
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OUR DRUMMING & TONING GROUP now meets twice a month
on the first and third Tuesdays.