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PILGRIMAGE TO IONA, SCOTLAND
"Where Heaven and Earth Meet"
A
10-Day Trip with One Week
on the Sacred Island of Iona
with Fionntulach and Richard & Mary
Groves
JUNE
11-20, 2008
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Flyer
LOCATION:
A tiny Island in Scotland called Iona is
an icon of Celtic Spirituality. It is often
described as a place where the veil between
the worlds is thin. Some have described
the Island herself as an Anam Chara. Simply
being here teaches us something we have
all but forgotten - how to simply be…
ACCOMODATIONS:
Stay for a full week at the charming St.
Columba Hotel built in 1806 and facing the
sea. Quaint lounges and delightful home-cooked,
organic dining treat guests. The famous
medieval Abbey adjoins the hotel property.
PILGRIMAGE
PROGRAM: Fionn and the Groves
will facilitate an inspiring retreat that
explores the wisdom of ancient Celtic spiritual
tradition- with daily opportunities to walk
and contemplate the beauty and history of
St. Columba's island.
IONA
PILGRIMAGE FACTS
$2700
per person
Airfare additional
Price
includes accommodations for nine nights…
with seven nights on the Island of Iona-
and an additional night before and after
the retreat in Oban and Glasgow respectively,
all breakfasts and dinners on Iona, daily
directed pilgrimage programs and all in-country
transportation. Based on Double Occupancy.
Some Single rooms are available for an additional
cost
RETREAT
THEME & DESCRIPTION
Our time together will offer us the
chance to connect deeply with the magic
of Iona. Through sharing the myths, songs,
prayers, sacred chants and many other ancient
practices forming the Spirituality of the
Gael, our senses will be immersed in the
richness of this place and its ancient culture.
We will also explore the power of myth (sacred
story-telling) and how it can be used to
open our hearts, both to the Divine and
to the Divinity of Creation…
RHYTHM
OF THE DAY
Every morning Fionntulach will share some
aspect of the ancient Céile Dé
tradition. After lunch, on most afternoons,
there will be planned trips to the many
special and sacred places on this tiny Island,
such as...
- Columba's
Bay, where Columcille is said to have
landed in 563 AD.
- The
Hermit's Cell. A ruin, thought to be the
place of retreat for early Celtic Monks.
-
The White Strand of the Monks. The most
painted strand in Scotland.
-
Chanting fuinn in Oran's chapel - renowned
for it's phenomenal acoustics.
-
Fionntualch will always be happy to chat
with you all informally about the Céile
Dé tradition and Celtic Spirituality
in general.
-
Richard and Mary Groves will provide their
leadership with ritual and spiritual guidance
in advance of and throughout the pilgrimage.
-
In the evening there will be plenty of
time to relax in an environment that will
feel like stepping back in time
ACCOMODATIONS
& MEALS
The charming St. Columba Hotel is the ideal
accommodation on Iona. Rooms are double
occupancy. Some single rooms are available
for an additional fee [see below]. All rooms
have a private bath. Meals are prepared
with locally grown, organic produce; fresh
baked goods are made daily.
PHYSICAL
EXPECTATIONS
If you are not an agile walker, there is
still plenty to do on Iona. The island is
only three miles long and one mile wide.
You will be able to walk along the tiny
road to the White Strand in less than half
an hour, for instance. Some of the walks
require a degree of fitness and agility.
For example - it would take just over an
hour to walk to Columba's Bay from the hotel.
None of the planned walks are dangerous
but some hikes are off-road which can be
rocky and muddy.
CLOTHING
A complete set of clothing recommendations
will be sent to you. Casual dress is most
appropriate. You will be happier if your
carry as little luggage as possible [not
more than 2 bags].
ARRIVAL &
DEPARTURE
Arrival: Please plan to arrive at Glasgow
Airport the morning of June 11. This means
most US west coast flight will depart on
June 10. Detailed instructions will be sent
regarding what to do upon arrival.
Departure: Ferry boats will depart Iona
on June 19 for travel to Glasgow where we
will spend the night. Do not arrange a flight
out of Glasgow prior to June 20. Please
be certain that your travel agent follows
the guidelines for arrival and departure
days and times.
PASSPORT
A valid passport is required.
Please check expiration dates if you have
a passport.
COST
AND PAYMENTS
A deposit of $500 is due with your application.
An additional $1500 will be required on
December 1, 2007 with the final payment
of $700 due on March 1, 2008. If you apply
for a single room, and it is available,
an additional $350 total will be due on
December 1. If you have to cancel at any
point once payments have been received,
a refund depends on our ability to find
a replacement.
HOW
TO APPLY
To apply for the pilgrimage, please send
a letter telling us a bit about why you
would like to make this pilgrimage trip.
Include your name, mailing and e-mail addresses
and phone numbers. Send this information
with a check for $500. Make checks payable
to: Sacred Art of Living Center P.O. Box
8720 Bend, Oregon 97708 USA
We
will not deposit your check until you are
notified as being accepted.
CONTACT
US
for more information |
