Being Together October Camp 2021

“When I arrive I feel I bring with me a commitment to being true to myself and open to others in the group.

 Let go of all habits of hiding thoughts and feelings: Stay open with my feelings and willing to hear others express their feelings even when they may be hurtful.

 Whether hurtful or joyful, such honesty is an opportunity for insight.

 Significant among the insights I had in the last camp was my feelings about personality – the personality that I have crafted in the course of my life that enables me to function in society as comfortably and easily as possible.

 But – and this is the insight – personality is not who I am.

 I am feelings, emotions and longing to feel the connection with others; with the nature around the camp; with existence.

 Connection is the expression of compassion; of love.

 All judgement becomes quiet.

 As this quality grows, the space between members of the group becomes softer. Whether sitting around the camp fire, in a circle inside the bell-tent or dancing to the music, a sense of the beauty of the others deepens.

 There may be feelings of pain. It is our human pain.

 But there is, at a deeper level, a feeling of peace.

 This arises with a sense of connection with all things, the meaning of our spiritual purpose in this life.”

Jean-jacques