Paintbrush Point
Registration is now open! Please read the information below about the retreat carefully before proceeding to register.
Description:
Each year we offer the opportunity for a deep journey of personal transformation in and through the distinct practice of ritual invocation. The journey is supported by several methods and tools taught, some of which repeat while others are newly introduced, that include yoga, chanting, meditation and hiking. Each year offers the opportunity to peel a few more layers off the onion while dwelling deeper into the space of healing and transformation.
Here is a short description of this process for those who are new to it.
Transformation of Self
The retreat will be a journey to heal oneself and awaken deeply from within. We will explore ritual and different forms of energy for developing awareness in the body and mind. We will creatively explore ways that transformation becomes tangible. For those who attended the Winter Renewal Retreat, the renewal deepens further in this journey of Transformation.
We will expand our capacity to listen to the stories our body has to tell, to embody the incredible landscape around us, to trust the process of transformation, and to build our intuitive capacity to touch the source of healing energy.
You can expect to
understand yourself at a much deeper level
begin deep personal transformation and learn tools to support this work going forward
gain a heightened sense of awareness and presence in ritual practice
experience new ways of relating to nature, learning to receive the energy around you and forming relationships with the natural world
experience how healing resonates within a community
Dates
Start: Tuesday, June 23rd - arrival between 5pm and 9:30pm
End: Sunday, June 28th at Noon
End for optional Yellowstone Tour add-on: Monday, June 29th at Noon
Details
Ritual, chanting, guided meditation and yoga will be at the core of the retreat experience.
Hiking in Grand Teton National Park and time in personal reflection will also be integral parts of the retreat.
Participants are expected to take part in all activities. Modifications to the yoga or hiking will be made as required for any physical limitations.
Sleeping arrangements will vary. Queen size beds, single beds, couches, tents and a camper and even two special beds in the Teepee are available. :) If preferred, you can bring a tent or use one of the tents that will be available on site. If you bring your own tent you are welcome to stay in it alone. Tents we provide will be for double occupancy. Rooms with beds have adjoining bathrooms and there is a powder room in the yoga studio and a plumbed outhouse for all people in tents. As was the case last year, all bedrooms now have two beds – one single and one queen – so each person will have their own bed. Both options are available on the registration page.
All bathrooms will be shared, so showers will be available for all. A hot tub is available. Swimsuits are optional.
There will be a cooking and dish washing rotation with everyone helping prepare a meal or two as well as cleaning up once or twice. All food will be provided.
Daily Schedule
Each day’s schedule will vary, but will start around 7am and end around 10pm each day. Flexibility is key since the agenda may be dynamic and shift - all times are approximate. Attendees will be provided with the week’s agenda upon check-in.
See a sample daily agenda here.
Yellowstone Tour Optional Add On
This year we are extending the invitation to attend our “Day Tour of Yellowstone” to all participants. Traditionally, this was a trip that the Healing Cultures team took after the retreat to unwind and go deeper into the incredible nature in Yellowstone. We sometimes invited students who had traveled a long way to the retreat, but it is now open to everyone since, if you can spare the time, it is truly something you should not miss when visiting the area. The day trip will be on Sunday, June 28th. We will leave around 12:00 noon and return around 11:30 pm so it is a long day. The additional cost of $150 covers both the car rentals for the trip and an extra nights accommodation at Paintbrush Point. We will bring leftovers on the trip to eat, but all other food will be your responsibility to cover. You can indicate if you would like to attend the Yellowstone tour when you register for the retreat.
Depart Paintbrush Point: Sunday June 28th Noon
Return to Paintbrush Point: Sunday June 28th around 11:30pm
Cost: $150
How to get there
You will need to get yourself there – good flights from SFO to Jackson (JAC) can be found for $530 (Delta through Salt Lake) and $558 (direct on United, 1 stop on return) at the present time, but can be as high as $1000+ so book early. The drive is 14-18 hours. If you intend to fly, we strongly suggest booking your flight as soon as possible before flight prices go up. As we mentioned in the invitation email, another option is to fly to Salt Lake and rent a car and drive up. If you find a friend or two to do this with it can be less expensive and a beautiful drive. Driving time is about 4.5 hours from Salt Lake. Please make sure your flight arrives no later than 9:30 pm on Tuesday, June 23rd, and departs no earlier than noon on Sunday, June 28th. If you are driving in, please arrive no later than 9:30 pm on Tuesday, June 23rd. We are asking for no exceptions to these time frames, so please be sure to talk to us before buying any tickets if you are having trouble meeting this timing. We have accommodated earlier departures in the past when absolutely required, but it is disruptive.
If you are coming from the east, it is best to fly into Denver (DEN) and then connect to Jackson (JAC).
Given the very special location, if you can spare the time, it is highly recommended that you come a day or two early or stay after the retreat to explore the town of Jackson or visit Yellowstone (either on our post-retreat Yellowstone Tour, or on your own) and/or Grand Teton National Parks. You may want to consider this as you make your flight reservations. The optional Yellowstone Tour add-on to the retreat on Sunday June 28th; The $150 cost includes transportation throughout the park and an extra night's stay at Paintbrush Point.
If you do stay in the area longer outside of the tour option, you will need to find alternative accommodations. Recommended hotels include:
Jackson Lake Lodge in Grand Teton National Park
Gros Ventre Campground in Grand Teton National Park
Old Faithful Inn in Yellowstone National Park
The Rusty Parrot in Jackson
There are many other hotels in Jackson and campgrounds in the Park. Email Rebecca McCue if you need further information or help.
Reservations should be made early as this is a very busy time of year in the area
Pre-requisites
In order to make sure everyone is ready to fully receive what will be offered at the retreat, we ask that everyone who registers for the retreat complete three pre-requisite sessions. This will allow us all to move directly into the work of the retreat once we all arrive at Paintbrush Point.
You can pick from any of the following sessions to complete this requirement:
Friday morning practices at my home (contact Toni for details)
Meditation evening that will be offered between now and June through Healing Cultures. You can see the upcoming dates on our events page.
Treatments or other private sessions with Mukund and Toni (contact Toni for details)
You can mix or match or do all of one category. We ask that you try to complete these three sessions by the beginning of June. Many of you will have already completed this requirement. If you have previously attended the Paintbrush Point retreat or the Weekend Renewal Retreat you do not need to do any pre-requisites. Please contact me if you are unsure if you need to do this. For people who live outside the Bay Area, we will make special accommodations to help you complete this requirement.
Some other "homework" before the retreat will also be required of all participants. This will be contemplative work reflecting on what you would like to work on during the retreat, etc. More details and guidance will follow nearer to the date for those attending the retreat.
Prices and Refund Policy
Prices range from $1350-$2750 based on sleeping arrangements.
A $500 deposit will be due upon registration. This deposit will be 50% refundable until April 1st. There will be no refund of the deposit if you cancel after April 1st. Payment in full is due by May 1st with no refund of the amount for cancellation after this date.
How to Register:
IMPORTANT: If the type of accommodation you would prefer is not available, please register under another type of accommodation and make a note of your preferences in the space provided on the registration site. We will offer you the ability to change accommodation should it become available. Please do add your name to the waitlist if you are unable to register initially or if you are only interested in only one type of accommodation and that is not currently available. We do expect the waitlist to be dynamic as we finalize everyone’s accommodation choices. You will not be charged for joining the waitlist. The charge for the $500 deposit will only occur if a spot becomes available.
We hope you will be able to join us! Please register as soon as possible.
More details about how to prepare, what to bring, the daily schedule and accommodation details will be provided to participants as the time gets closer, but please feel free to email Rebecca McCue with any questions which we can answer now.