Whidbey Institute Programs

HEALING HERBS IN YOUR GARDEN
How to Use Western Herbs with Ayurveda
With Kumudini Shoba & Cary Peterson

Kumudini Shoba, Ayurveda practitioner, will teach about the healing herbs that can be grown here in the Northwest. In addition to learning about the specific healing qualities and ways to use these plants, we will also make an herbal oil appropriate for the fall and winter. This will be hands-on workshop, held in the Westgarden and greenhouse.

Kumudini Shoba is from a family in Sri Lanka with a long "Vaidya" (healer) tradition. She is a Master Herbalist who has studied both eastern and western herbs. She also has a Masters Degree in bio-organic chemistry. Cary Peterson is a gardener, providing loving care for the Chinook lands since 1989.

This reflective retreat is a day to honor the journey of those who are either living with cancer or who are caretaking someone with cancer. The intention of this day is to release, replenish, and renew through experiencing the beauty and the healing power of the natural world. Participants will have private rooms for resting and opportunities during the day for one-on-one spiritual guidance sessions, Shibashi (a meditative form of QiGong), art projects, journaling, and small group sharing. All activities are optional. The retreat will close with a circle that will include poetry, music, and reflection.

Fee: $55/person, $80/couple sharing a room (includes lunch). Reduced fee slots and scholarships available. It is important to us that all who want to come to this retreat are able to attend.

2:00 - 5:00pm Thomas Berry Legacy workshop:
At the Confluence of Cosmology, Ecology and Justice: Thomas Berry,
Martin Luther King, Jr., and the Path into the Future, with Drew Dellinger.

You are warmly invited to come to the Chinook land for a full day of community celebration to include: reflections with Founders Fritz and Vivienne Hull, the Thomas Berry Legacy workshop (Dellinger), meditation, guided walks, singing, video, ritual, fabulous food, and reconnection with new and old friends. $65 for the day, including workshop, plus $30 for dinner. Scholarships available. (Scholarship donations appreciated).

Join Geoff and other experienced consultants in this rare opportunity to explore the deeper questions and implications of organizational work during a three day workout designed to invigorate and re-energize consultative work. This workshop builds upon work and life learnings to further clarify emerging models of leadership and change.

Geoff worked in the corporate world fourteen years before starting his own consulting business in 1977 where his external consulting focused on renewing large, mature organizations. In recent years, he has reduced his corporate consulting and now gives most of his consulting time to community organizations. Geoff is a cofounder of the Community Consulting Project, a group of Seattle area consultants and learners who serve not-for-profit organizations. $740 - $940 see flyer for registration and rate details.

Come gather with us on this traditional Day of the Dead to explore the transformative power that is available to us through consciously facing death.

2. DINNER WITH CHEF KRISTIAN
5:30 PM. Cost: $20 adults, $10 for 12 and under
Bridging our two events is a delicious dinner created by beloved Whidbey Institute chef, Kristian Bentsen.

3. MUSIC & POETRY FOR ALL SOULS
With poet Judith Adams, cellists Siri Bardarson, James Hinkley, and Jackie Robbins, and violinist Gloria Brennen.
7:00 PM. Fee: $10

An evening of celebration of those who have died, the unknown territory they traverse, the forging of relationship across the threshold and the wisdom of death in our lives.

Home is not just a dwelling place any more. It is a state of mind, a spiritual state, a "coming to ground," a place of nourishment, belonging, and connection. David will explore the many meanings, and the spiritual capacity to create such places.

Since 1964 David Spangler has been a teacher and author of 7 books on spirituality. From 1970 to 1973 he was a co-director of the Findhorn Foundation Community. He is co-founder of the Lorian Association, where he continues to work. David has been a longtime friend of the Whidbey Institute. We welcome him "home." Come early to enjoy a repeat exhibit of Penelope Bourke's sculptures of the Odyssey, Finding a Way Home) Fee: $15/$5 for under 21 and those with special needs.

"It isn't the changes that do you in, it's the transitions."
—William Bridges

If you try to "lead change" you'll soon realize that designing and implementing the change process is easier than moving people through the transitions required to get to the new state. Change and transition are not the same thing. The first cannot be effective without the second. Our day together will address both these aspects of moving your organization forward and will be designed for the many volunteers, board members, and staff of community organizations working for change.

Mark Yeoell is an experienced organizational consultant specializing in high performance team building, leadership development, coaching and productivity improvement. Fee: $75 (includes lunch & materials). To encourage participation, the 2nd registration from the same organization is $60, and $50 for additional registrations. Continuing education credits and optional overnight stays available.

Where on Earth are we going? And what can we do about it? These questions lie at the heart of this symposium which explores the links between three of humanity's most critical concerns: environmental sustainability, social justice and cultures of peace and democracy. Fee: $48 (includes lunch). $21 for 21 and under, and for special need. WA State clock hours/continuing education units available. Co-sponsored by the Heritage Institute.

First Mondays at the Whidbey Institute at Chinook: Seasons of the Spirit
With Cathy Whitmire, Rabbi Zari Weiss, Annette Andrews-Lux and Dianne Shiner

First Monday of each Month (see calendar for theme and details)
Join us on the Chinook Lands for quiet days of rest, reflection and renewal.
8:30 AM-5:00 PM

Appointments for spiritual direction will be available when you register. Lunch, art supplies, and a private room for solitude and rest will be provided. You may also wish to stay overnight Sunday and/or Monday on a freewill offering basis for the room.
Space limited. $45 for the day.
Cathy Whitmire is a Quaker spiritual guide, an interfaith chaplain, pastoral counselor and author of Plain Living and Practicing Peace.

Rabbi Zari Weiss serves as a rabbi, teacher and a spiritual companion. As a spiritual companion, she guides people in their efforts to explore and deepen their relationship with G-d, their prayer life and their spiritual practice.

Annette Andrews-Lux offers spiritual guidance during First Mondays. Her spiritual formation and training are rooted in Catholic Christianity, enriched with significant learnings from ecumenical and inter-faith experience and dialogue. She is currently a lay pastoral associate at Trinity Lutheran Church in Freeland, and a program assistant at the Whidbey Institute.
Dianne Shiner, Director of the Whidbey Institute and former director of Holden Village, will offer sessions of Shibashi, a smooth, flowing, meditative form of QiGong.

Explore a deeper connection to nature and the land called Chinook through experiential musings, thought provoking discussion and hands-on enjoyment.

OCT 9: Nature Mandala & Lessons from the Circle of Life
explore life cycles through the seasons.

JAN 8: Cedar: Northwest Tree of Life
how the First Peoples used this coast giant

APR 9: The Birds are Calling; Are We Listening?
experience local birds with author and bird expert, Francis Wood

Fee: $15/session; $50 for the series in advance. $5 for 21 & under, and for special need.

Follow the seasons of the year with these workshops and walks that focus on appreciating what nature has to offer us. You'll learn about foraging native plants, growing your own food, and solar cooking.

Ethnobotany of the Northwest: Foraging
Spring: April 13, 2:00 to 4:00pm - Tender Shoots & Leafy Greens.
Summer: August 10, 2:00 to 4:00pm - Berries, Berries, Berries
Fall: October 12, 2:00 to 4:00pm - Seeds & Nuts
Winter: December 14, 2:00 to 4:00pm - Roots & Hardy Greens
Fee: $15/session; $50/year. $5/session for under 21.

How to grow your own food year -round
4 Saturdays, 9:00 AM-1:00 PM
Spring: March 29-The Birth of the New Year
Summer: May 31-The Abundance of the Earth
Fall: August 23-The Harvest Season
Winter: October 4-Rest & Renewal
Fee: $25/session; $80/year. $10/session for under 21.

Infuse your food with sun:
Solar Cooking for Everyone
Sunday, June 29, 1:00-4:00 PM
Fee: $55 for individuals; $75 for families. $30 for under 21.
(Includes materials and handouts.)

2008-2009 Cycle
October 16-18, 2008 • January 22-24, 2009 • April 16-18, 2009 • June 25-27, 2009
All retreats are THURSDAY evening through SATURDAY afternoon.
We welcome your interest in the next cycle. Contact us if you have any questions or would like to apply.