BEGINNER'S MIND RETREAT
AT FAR HORIZONS RETREAT CENTER
Thurs 6/27 – Sun 6/30
Program Fee: $100
Lodging costs: $50-$120 per night
Open your mind as wide as the sky and see yourself in the splendor of
nature letting go of time, the routine, the storyline. Enter the
experience of each moment as if for the first time.Beginner’s Mind is a Zen concept which encourages us to participate in our moments fully as if as a beginner; dropping mental commentary and chatter and entering our experience with curiosity and openness. With an open mind and heart, we will begin an exploration of the concept of essential self and the journey of your soul.
Morning and afternoon Tai Chi and Qi Gong, guided meditation
practice, expressive writing and well-body
Join these presenters for a one of a kind retreat experience:
- Lori Granger: Director of The Center for Mindfulness in Fresno, an ordained lay Zen practitioner, Mindfulness-Based Psychotherapist and adjunct faculty at CSU Fresno. Lori has studied with Jon Kabat-Zinn and Jack Kornfield among other renown teachers and is committed and passionate about helping others experience the benefits of mindfulness to alleviate physical and psychological suffering in their lives and connect with enduring happiness.
- Andrea Dezubiria: Certified Integral Tai Chi and Qigong Teacher and Physical Therapist. Andrea brings a playful and accessible approach to these ancient moving meditations. As a certified community facilitator from the Institute of Qigong and Tai Chi, she has lead workshops for employee wellness programs, chronic pain clinics, museums, parks and anywhere that people want to use mindful movement and breath to feel more relaxed, mobile and content.
- Debora Palmer: Expressive Writing Specialist. Debora helps participants connect with and express themselves and their experience from their deepest voice. Debora is a Certified JTTS® Instructor, Writing Instructor, and poet with an MFA in Creative Writing. She has a passion for writing, reading, and teaching and teaches expressive writing, poetry and journaling at The Center for Mindfulness in Fresno.
Continuing Education Units are available for California MFTs and LCSWs.
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
The Center for Mindfulness is a BBS certified Contnuing Education Provider PCE #4634. This course meets the qualifications for 16 hours of continuing education credit for MFTs and LCSWs as required by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences. $20 CE administration fee applies.
WARNING! Reception for
mobile/GPS devices is LIMITED
in the National Park! Be sure to
download and print these driving
directions before you leave.
Two file types to choose from
mobile/GPS devices is LIMITED
in the National Park! Be sure to
download and print these driving
directions before you leave.
Two file types to choose from
PDF JPG
______________________________
WHAT TO BRING:
- Cash or checkbook for your balance, on-site registration, or other services (like massage.) Credit cards payments can not be processed on-site
- Clothing for hot and cold weather, relaxing, hiking, swimming, and working
- Personal care items
- Flashlight and spare batteries
- Insect repellant
- Sunscreen
- Lip balm
- Sunglasses
- Hat
- Camera
- Refillable water bottle
Optional Items
- Anything that helps to make sitting more comfortable: lounge chair, stadium seat, cushions
- Yoga mat
- Backpack/fanny pack
- Notepad/journal/pens/pencils
- Binoculars
- Reading materials
- Battery-powered reading light
- Musical Instruments (drums, guitars, tambourines, or anything that does not require electricity)
- Song books for campfire time
- Telescope
- Outdoor recreation items: frisbees, soccer ball, board games, cards, etc
Please Furnish Your Own:
- Sheets
- Pillow cases
- Blankets (3 per bed or sleeping bag)
- Towels
____________________
Photo Directions To Far Horizons:
A virtual tour of the drive with important landmarks, signage, and turnoff markers
From the North
- In Fresno turn off 99 and take turnoff Ventura/Kings Canyon exit in Fresno.
- Ventura/Kings Canyon Street becomes Highway 180 East.
- Be careful: soon after you pass the tiny town of Minkler, highway 180 takes a sharp left turn there.
- Follow this turn and stay on Hwy 180 to the Big Stump Park entrance.
- Follow the park entry instructions below
From the South
- Exit off Hwy 99 onto Hwy 198 East
- Immediately exit on Plaza Drive
- Turn left (North) toward Dinuba for 24 miles (Park becomes Alta Avenue) until you reach its end. Alta ends at a T-intersection.
- Turn right on American Ave (East) 2.5 miles to Cove (another small rural byway)
- Turn left on Cove (North) 4 miles to its end at Hwy 180
- Turn right on Hwy 180 (East) to Big Stump park entrance
- Follow the park entry instructions below
Park Entry Instructions
- Check in at the National Park Service ranger station (on your left)
- No entry fee is required ; simply advise the ranger that your destination is Far Horizons. If you plan to explore the park by car outside our camp, however, purchase a 7-day vehicle pass for $20
- Continue 1.4 miles to the Generals Hwy Y-junction. This will be the FIRST RIGHT turn that you can make. Go toward 198/Lodgepole/Sherman Tree
- Bear right onto General's Highway and reset your odometer.
- Continue down Generals Highway for 9 miles. You will pass Big Baldy trailhead and the Montecito Sequoia Resort (which features two wood-carved bears in front, shown below.) Your turnoff will be only two miles from the Montecito-Sequoia Resort -- be ready!
- Look for a sign indicating the “Sequoia National Forest Organization Camps” turnoff. The sign points to San Joaquin and Far Horizons camps -- turn right.
- After making your right turn, you will proceed for 1.5 miles. Note that after crossing the one-lane bridge, you will bear right at the fork in the road. Camp San Joaquin is in the other direction, and a small sign indicates that Camp Far Horizons follows the right fork.
- Shortly after the fork, look out for a sign on the right side of the road. Make a right turn to enter the camp.
- The pavement will end, but the road is still navigable in just about any car. Camp-goers have driven their Accords, Camrys, Priuses, and other small cars with no problems -- but please drive slowly as to not create a huge dust-cloud!
- You will encounter one final sign indicating a right turn to enter Camp Far Horizons....you're almost there! Continue driving (slowly) and you will drive into the heart of the camp!
- Check in at the camp office when you arrive -- and enjoy your stay!