Ladies Wing Retreat, 2002

Inward Bound No Turning Back.

There is no journey but to walk with God.

Our fourth annual ladies retreat was held again at the beautiful James Byrne Conference Centre in Toowoomba over the second weekend in March. After a quick storm on Friday evening the weekend dawned bright and clear with magnificent starry evenings.

The Centre is set amongst rolling hills with lovely views across the valley.

Isabelle Jenner once again was the Convenor and in her inimitable style did an excellent job.

She was ably assisted by all the participants who volunteered for different duties.

So popular have these retreats become that the Conference Centre has been booked again for the 28th March 2003. Each year more ladies attend.This year there were 72 and they come from as far afield as Charleville, Cunnamulla, Kingaroy, Bundaberg, Gold Coast, North Coast Brisbane and we had three interstate visitors, from Perth, Victoria & Sydney. There were 25 new ladies who had not been before and of these about 10 who were not Sai devotees before the retreat. We all enjoyed it immensely and benefited from the experience.

Devotions were held Friday evening, Saturday and Sunday mornings in the beautiful chapel.

Glenda Filbee took the group through yoga each morning before breakfast to tune up the mind and body for a busy day ahead

On Saturday, Geraldine Taylor Wood , a lecturer of International repute, took us on a guided trip around the ancient world through literature & slides. The talk addressed what it is to be on earth clothed in a woman's body. From Eve, Mother Mary, & the Magdaline of old to those stunning women who now inspire our lives. I could have listened to Geraldine all day,!!

"Sewing the Seeds of Spirituality" was conducted by workshop Guru Jeanette McDonald. This fascinating workshop explained to us how "seeding" is a means to establish food for growth. We broke up into groups of 3 and we went through a series of mind stretching and flexing exercises to encourage greater awareness. This proved quite challenging to most of us.

Susan Seaton guided us in a "Cosmic Walk" through time. Candles were lit to illuminate each phase in the passage from prehistoric days to the present time, a most intriging adventure with a sense of awesomeness as we reflected on creativity and letting go.

Susan's other session " A Cosmic Feast" was a truly delightful and imaginative experience, where we tasted fruit and vegetables beautifully and prayerfully presented and thoughtfully savoured by each person.

Dorothy Sturmer, another experienced presenter, and chairperson of Zone 3 in Central Qld, spoke on Educare, exploring the "Fives" and focusing on Unity in Diversity. Our practical exercise of designing an eye with tree branches & wool, proved a mind provoking experience, as our inner selves took over.

We explored the light rainbow prism and the light of the Iniverse.

Other highlights were musical interludes with Jenny Keys, Melissa L'Estrange and Kaye Mulhare. Jenny and Melissa also taught us energetic Greek, Russian and other ethnic dancing on Saturday evening. It was great to unwind with lots of laughter & exercise after a rather emotionally heavy but inspirational day.

The bookshop was a great success with surplus funds to be donated to the Sai School.

Judith Lindsay gave an update on the progress of the school and told us of the steady increase in numbers and how parents were moving from Interstate and overseas to allow their children to attend.

Margaret van Hennekeler, Joint Medical Service Co-ordinator, spoke about service in India while Maureen McWilliams gave us an inspirational talk with her stories of Maduri. Swami's influence is being strongly felt there & with His support and that of a group of volunteers the impoverished community is being helped enormously.

The retreat closed early Sunday afternoon following a moving candlelighting ceremony where all participants lit a candle for peace as we recited the 12 Universal Prayers for Peace to a background of meditative music. We remembered all women on this International Womens Day weekend. Each person received a bottle of essential oil as a momento .

Then we finished with the beautiful prayer of St Francis of Assisi led by Jenny Keys.

We returned home spiritually enriched and refreshed.