Click here to view the photo slideshow from the MSIA Staff Retreat 2005.
On January 6th and 7th 2005, the MSIA, PTS, and NOW Productions staffs, including Prana Residents, started off the year with an “all-you-can-eat” staff retreat at Prana, Home of the Traveler. The focus of the retreat was on rejuvenation, fellowship, and learning, and when I say “all-you-can-eat” I mean it! There was superb food prepared by guest chefs David Funk and Kelly Sheehan-Funk (3 meals a day) flowing non-stop, a wealth of fresh 2005 loving in just being together with time to reflect on the blessings of life, and plenty to keep our minds occupied with the engaging communication style of David Bransky, who facilitated the retreat. There was also a cadre of excellent volunteers who came in to handle all the details and ensure we would have the most relaxing time of inner-focus and relaxation possible. Thank you to team captain Rick Greene and his squadron of expert assistants.
It was glorious. There was an hour of spiritual exercises in the morning before breakfast, then a morning session of team building/communication work before lunch, then an afternoon session and then dinner. It rained most of the time, unusual for Southern California, and it made us grateful to be warm and safe inside with lots of great food and friends. We were blessed both days with a visit from our Traveler, John Morton, who took questions, shared, and lifted us all in an exquisite cocoon of Spirit. So much so that at the end of one of the sessions, with time available for more questions, there was a silence over the group–no one had questions–minds were still, hearts were full. The questions had been answered. It was raining outside, we were cozy there together, and there was no need. Content in the fullness of One Accord, grateful beyond measure.
The work we did with David Bransky in the retreat centered around a way to communicate when there may be charged “issues” involved, strong feelings associated with the topic of communication, and how to address the different levels that may be going on beneath the surface. The basic idea is threefold: to identify what each person’s “story” is of what’s going on (to hear them from their own perspective), to identify and share feelings associated with the issue, and to recognize the extent to which the issue may be impacting one’s “identity,” or the way they see themselves. The idea is that if feelings and identity issues aren’t addressed, they tend to “leak” into the conversation anyway, so it’s best to address them consciously. This is all based on the book, “Difficult Conversations: How to Discuss What Matters Most” by Douglas Stone, Bruce Patton, and Sheila Heen of the Harvard Negotiation Project. My impression was a lot of people in our group got value from the information, and I would recommend the book if you’re interested in learning more about it. David guided us with his customary sensitivity and humor, offering the information as another option to add to our “toolbelts” for effective communication.
Just when we thought we wouldn’t need to eat again (ever) it was time for another tremendous all-out gourmet meal: a Mexican fiesta lunch, a lamb-chop dinner, a breakfast buffet with the best pancakes, a Japanese lunch with delicate oriental flavors, a beef tenderloin dinner, excellent desserts, and world-class coffees and teas made to order! The superb quality and abundance of the meals rivaled the finest hotel or restaurant, and the loving it was served with took it into the sublime. The blessings of Spirit were definitely matched in outward manifestation this time.
I’m grateful to have been at the Staff Retreat, and trust that the rejuvenation, learning, and loving we experienced there will set us in good stead to be able to serve in even greater ways in the year to come. Special thanks to Helen Bradley and Paul Kaye for holding the vision to create this event, and thanks to our worldwide community for the privilege of serving you.
Peace and Blessings for 2005 and God Bless Us All.
