Avila, Spain Pilgrimage - Knowing Your Spiritual Self-Worth

Avila, Spain Retreat & Pilgrimage:
Walking With Teresa of Avila

 

Tentative Date: 2014

Please email if you or a group are interested

teresaretreats@yahoo.com

 

"What are you waiting for God?

What am I waiting for?

 

These were the words of Teresa of Avila as she journeyed into her Inner Castle.

Walking with her we will ask ourselves that same question,

What am I waiting for?

 

Visit this famed Heritage medieval walled city and walk in the footsteps of one of the greatest women mystics to have lived. Teresa of Avila takes us deep into our Interior Castle, deep into the beauty of our own soul, and helps us to awaken to our inherent power and love. She also teaches us how to know an inner peace that is entirely secure.

We will visit the Encarnacion Monastery where Teresa lived for almost 30 years. We will walk the Labryinth of the Seven Dwellings and spend time in meditation in the private chapel where she experienced the ecstatic transverberation (when the angel pierced her heart with the arrow of God’s love). We will visit the monastery that she first founded in reforming the Carmelite Order, her birthplace, and also the place of her death, Alba de Tormes, sitting in the sacred silence to feel the vibrations of her soul, which are still readily felt today. We also visit the very special church of John of the Cross in Alba de Tormes.

We will gather in a Monastery across from where we stay, where we will meditate, pray, contemplate Teresa's poetry and teachings, and celebrate together - sometimes indoors, and sometimes in the beautiful garden, with storks high above us in their massive nests. The storks became our companions and speakers of light on our last pilgrimage.

We stay in a wonderful medieval-styled hotel within the walls of Avila, giving us easy walking access to all the sites we visit. We are treated very well by the delightful owners and their staff. Pilgrims commented on how this felt the perfect place to stay, giving them a sense and feel for the time of Teresa.

The theme for our retreat will be unveiling our sense of spiritual self-worth; exploring what holds us back, and what we need to engage in to know the worth of our being. Teresa walked this path as she struggled with her fear and self-doubt and yet she emerged victorious and liberated in her own vibrant spirit. In her teachings, and with her presence in Avila , we have the perfect guide to enter this world of worth and true humility.

Words From Pilgrims on the first Avila Pilgrimage:

"It is hard to sum up in a few words the experience of being on pilgrimage in Avila, Spain with Meghan Don. She took the group on a mystical journey that captured the living spirit of St. Teresa. All my senses were employed walking the places where Teresa walked. I was moved to a deeper place within that served to heighten my mystical consciousness. Meghan guided everyone with humor, tenderness and at times directness. There was a balance of visiting sights where Teresa devoted herself to doing God's work, meditating, praying, and participating in group discussions, as well as, personal time and having playful time together.  Meghan's passion for her ministry invited me to trust my inner voice, knowing that Spirit was at work and mighty in the midst of us all."Susan Marie Coburn – MA.

"What I remember most of being in Avila was the feeling of just being natural. I didn't have to be anyone or do anything. I felt lighter just being there. I started to develop a sense of humor and one joke after another began pouring through my mind. I didn't recognize myself. I felt like a different person."  Susan Mundy - WY.

I would highly recommend arriving in Madrid at least 2 days before pilgrimage begins. Spend time in Madrid visiting the Prado and other museums/historic places. And definitely spend a day in Toledo (a 30 minute train ride from Madrid) – a wonderful city full of fabulous architecture honoring the Muslim, Jewish and Christian heritage of Spain

PLEASE NOTE: Changes may be made at any time to the itinerary as deemed necessary

Click Here to read "Walking with Teresa of Avila," my reflections on Avila.

 

To View YouTube Video please click on link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uZYP3xQuhoM

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I would highly recommend arriving in Madrid at least 2 days before pilgrimage begins. Spend time in Madrid visiting the Prado and other museums/historic places. And definitely spend a day in Toledo (a 30 minute train ride from Madrid) – a wonderful city full of fabulous architecture honoring the Muslim, Jewish and Christian heritage of Spain.

After the pilgrimage I again would highly recommend spending a day/night in Salamanca and definitely one or two days in Segovia. These are both easily accessible from Avila. If you wish to travel further, then I would suggest Seville and Granada.

DEPOSITS AND COMMITMENT REQUIRED BY:

 

Retreat Includes:

Single Accommodation with private bath

Breakfast and Dinners

Entry to museums on pilgrimage schedule

Chartered private bus to Alba de Tormes

Use of Dominican Sisters Chapel

Retreat Fee

Extra Costs:

Airfare to Madrid, Spain (approx. US$800-900)

Taxi from airport to train station (approx. US$30-40) Or subway (approx. US$3)

Travel to and from Avila (approx. US$15 one way)

Visits to other museums/sites not on scheduled pilgrimage (approx. US$3-5)

Lunches (approx. US$3-5 for simple bread/cheese/fruit etc).

Gratuities,Tips (approx.$20)

Drinks

Private Travel Insurance



Retreat Fee: US$1795-$1895 depending on price increases.

Deposit Required by

Balance Due:

Hotel Recommendations:

Madrid: www.hotelcortezo.com

Segovia : www.lassirenas.com   

Salamanca: Email for information from tourist center: informacion@turismosalamanca.com

I would recommend buying a Lonely Planet or Fodors travel book also and see other options available.

Retreat ends at mid-day Saturday

Buses Leaving on Saturday from Avila:

Avila to Salamanca: 3:15,  5:00, 7:15 (Journey takes approx. 2 hours or less)

Avila to Segovia: 7:15 (approx. 1 hour arriving in daylight still)

Ticket Prices: Approx. US$8-10.

Ireland Pilgrimage: Living As An Elder

Come and explore the rich mystical land of Ireland, with its myths, otherworldly dimensions, and strong and bold people, both in ancestral and contemporary context.

We will enter deeply into the sacredness of the land, visiting sites that are portals for other dimensional realities and beings.

                                                      Let us thank the Earth

That offers ground for home

And holds our feet firm

To walk in space open

To infinite galaxies

                                                                                     John O'Donohue

The Dingle Peninsula is a Gaeltacht (Gaelic speaking) area in the West of Ireland. It still holds the magic of the old people and the generations before them.

We stay on a property that has ancient standing stones that hold deep mythological truths, and the owner, Joan Garvey, takes great care of us with her wonderful breakfasts and abounding personality. We begin each day with silent meditation and take our breakfast in silence. We will then visit sacred sites, learning of their history and spiritual significance, and spend time in silence meditating and immersing ourselves in their vibration. Rest time in afternoons when possible. Gathering early evenings for sharing of experiences and retreat teachings. Dinner and free time.

Day One: You will be picked up at Shannon Airport and transported to your accommodation at Ventry Bay on  the Dingle Peninsula. Settling in and gathering the group together in meditation, prayer, and simple words to begin our sacred adventure.

Day Two: We will introduce ourselves to the land that we are staying on, visiting and honoring the standing stones, the cliffs, and holy well. Time to commune and rest into the land that will host us during our stay.

Day Three: Visiting and meditating in ancient beehives which have been home to many peoples for centuries.

Day Four: We make our way to The Three Sisters and Mother Eiru - magnificent cliff faces and lush land that will hold and nourish us.

Day Five: Rest Day - Journaling - Integration - Free Time

Day Six: Visiting ancient Church and Monastic sites. And also visiting the resident dolphin Fungi who swims freely in Dingle Bay.

Day Seven: Driving over the spectacular Connor's Pass, visiting an ancient mountain Loch, and continuing down into Brendan's Bay, where St. Brendan the Navigator began his journey, visiting all the islands (bardos) in the afterlife.

Day Eight: Closing Ceremony and return to Shannon airport.

Please Note: Itinerary may change due to weather or the Spirit's direction.

Set out upon your voyage!

Go to the pure land over the sea.

And may you, with joy everlasting,

Come to the Land of Women.

                                              The Voyage of Bran

IRELAND FEES

DEPOSITS & COMMITMENT REQUIRED BY

June 1st, 2012

• Retreat Includes:
• Double Accommodation
• Breakfast & Dinners
• All transport on pilgrimage
• All entrance fees to sites
• Retreat Fee

Extra Costs:
Airfare to Dublin, Ireland

Travel to West Ireland
Lunches

Drinks with dinner

Individual Travel Insurance

Retreat Fee: Based on 2011 prices - All prices in United States dollars

$1995.00 - $2095.00 per person

$500 extra for single room (limited availability)

DEPOSIT DUE: JUNE 1st 2012 - $895.00

FINAL PAYMENT DUE: JANUARY 1st 2013

(If needing more time to make final payment please email to discuss)

Please Note: Deposit is Non-Refundable

Final Payment (less deposit) only refundable if place is filled - taking insurance is strongly advised.

Assisi is alive with the spirit of Clare and Francis. Visiting the many sacred sites and mountains, we will learn of their pathway and how that can open us even more to our own pathway today.

Assisi is a place of clarity. We will attune our bodies and souls to the greater vision that our life holds.

Many people have received very clear indications as to the direction of their life while in Assisi. During this pilgrimage we will open our bodies and souls to receive whatever the spirit of clarity and transformation wants to gift us.

 

Above all, be lovers of your souls. - Clare of Assisi

Where We Stay: La Cittadella, a lay retreat center, right in Assisi, giving a quiet and calm retreat atmosphere. They serve delicious Italian food and are very hospitable as befits the Franciscan way.
	Where We Do Retreat Work: We have private use of the Chapel at La Cittadella - a very beautiful and contemplative space. We will travel to the mountains outside of Assisi where Francis and Clare entered into their spiritual prayers and songs. We have private access to a chapel in San Damiano - where Clare lived most of her life.
Places we will visit: San Damiano - where Clare lived and created community The Basilica and Tomb of Clare - where we will feel the power in her still-enduring spirit The Basilica and Tomb of Francis - where his bones still radiate the light The Porziuncula - the original church of Francis The Eremo - the caves where Francis and the brother's meditated and Francis composed his songs & prayers Mt. Subasio - the sacred mountain since pre-Christian times The mountains of Greccio and Fonte Colombe in Rieti where Francis spent much time - very sacred & tranquil To View YouTube Video please click on link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YGRxRrfpQ8U

ASSISI PILGRIMAGE FEES:

(FEES WILL DEPEND ON EXCHANGE RATE AND PRICE INCREASES)

Approx $1795-$1895 single accomodation with private bath

 

If you need to organize payment installments please email to discuss options available.

Please email for registration form or further information

Email: clarepilgrimage@yahoo.com

PLEASE NOTE: Changes may be made at any time as deemed necessary to pilgrimage details

ASSISI PILGRIMAGE FEE INCLUDES:

Mary Magdalene Pilgrimage
Provence, France

May 9-16, 2013

 

The Power of Feminine Leadership

This Pilgrimage is currently full

Please email: teresaretreats@yahoo.com to be placed on wait list in

case of cancellation

 

Mary Magdalene calls us to become our feminine Christed selves, bringing the presence of Sophia into our world. In doing so we will enter into our natural place of leadership, that is, we will actively engage in the role that we are called to undertake while here on earth, and we will engage now.

Magdalene's Cave:

In La Baume, Provence, up in the mountains there is the cave where Magdalene lived for the last 30 years of her life. The cave and the mountain area matches the consciousness of Magdalene, that is, they are vast, and the mountain ranges seem to reach into the eternal.

We will stay at a monastery below the cave and will spend some days here, meditating, praying, chanting and entering into sacred dance. We will walk through the forest aligning and activating ourselves into the energy that abounds here.

We will learn of the mysteries of Magdalene and what they mean for us today, and how we are now responsible in bringing her teachings into fruition.

Magdalene's Basilica:

Down the mountain we will visit Magdalene's Basilica in St. Maximin, hearing more stories, visiting the crypt that holds her relics, and feeling into what it is like for a woman teacher to be honored (as she was in this region).

Sts. Marie de le Mar:

We will continue on to the Carmague area, where Magdalene, Lazarus, and others arrived and initially stayed in France. The church here is a very special place of The Mother. I liken it to entering into the Womb of the Mother. We will enter into the mysteries of The Mother and The Daughter. Here also is the crypt of St. Sarah, the Black Daughter, venerated by the gypsies. Some say Sarah is the daughter of Magdalene. We will learn more stories while here.

PLEASE NOTE:

A good degree of fitness is needed for this pilgrimage, as we will be hiking up a steep mountain to the cave daily while in La Baume.

We will also be walking in silence and doing much meditating, so a comfortability with silence needed.

 

 

FEES FOR THIS PILGRIMAGE

(In United States Dollars)

Fee Includes:

Double Accommodation

Breakfasts and Dinners

All transportation on pilgrimage

Pick-up and drop-off at Marseille Airport

All entrance fees

Retreat Fee

Extra Costs:

Airfare to Marseille, France

Lunches

Travel insurance

Based on 2011 Prices Fee is: $1950-$2050 per person

Single Room: $500 supplement

DEPOSIT DUE: MAY 1st, 2012 - $850.00

FINAL PAYMENT DUE: DECEMBER 1st, 2012

(If needing more time for final payment please email to discuss)

Mary Magdalene & Cathar
Pilgrimage, Southern France

Dates to be Advised

Restricted to 11 people only

Please Note: A teleconferencing course will also be offered prior to this pilgrimage to give advance preparation (more details in the future)

 

A powerful journey into the unification of the feminine and masculine energies.

We will visit the castles of the Cathars where the energy of the feminine and masculine

were honored and aligned, and a simple life of community living was entered into with humility and understanding. Dance, sacred chant, and the sexual mysteries were important to the Cathars, as they were to Mary Magdalene and Yeshua. The Cathars were the holders of this wisdom.

We will visit a church with healing waters where Magdalene appeared. And a sacred natural labyrinth where Celtic priestesses gathered and created healing ritual. The Celtic presence was strong at the time of Magdalene's life in France with clearly mysteries being shared from both sides.

We will visit a special retreat and teaching cave of Magdalene, and also places where the healing women lived and gathered herbs.

Cathar Iniatiation Caves will be visited - a very powerful experience.

Throughout this journey we will chant, dance, meditate, and open to the Spirit of Magdalene within.

PLEASE NOTE: An excellent level of fitness needed for this pilgrimage, as vigorous walks and climbing of steep mountains will be a regular and daily activity.

This is a demanding pilgrimage both interiorly and exteriorly. Please be prepared in soul and body for experiences that will stretch your being.

There will be much silence of this pilgrimage so a comfortability with this essential.