August 5 - August 12th, 2024 • Scholls Valley Lodge

Join us this summer in the idyllic, rolling hills of Hillsboro, Oregon at Scholls Valley Lodge, for a deep dive into Integral Polarity Practice (IPP). IPP is a “Mindfulness+”, integrating all of the wisdom of the mindfulness tradition, but evolving it in significant ways. IPP draws from the deep wisdom patterns of Christianity and Buddhism, but also from modern modalities including developmental psychology and Integral Theory. In the words of John Kesler, its creator:

Integral Polarity Practice (IPP) is designed to support a person in “waking up” and “growing up” as well as in developing a healthy integration of body, emotions, mind, and Spirit. IPP also provides a framework for interrelating and integrating deeper internal awareness with more inspired, passionate, and creative action in the world: “showing up.” It provides strategies for working productively with polarities in relational and organizational settings. In short, IPP is a practice that supports human thriving.

A retreat setting is an ideal way to train in mindfulness and Integral Polarity Practice. Intensive periods of meditation practice are extremely beneficial for working through challenging content in the body and mind. Practically speaking, if we don’t give ourselves time and space to do deep healing in retreat, the mental/emotional patterns that cause so much suffering in our lives will continue to bind us like chains. Though meditation retreat is challenging, it is one of the most valuable practices we can pursue to experience deeper joy and freedom in life. More significantly, as our own suffering diminishes, our capacity to love and serve others increases exponentially.

This retreat includes:

• daily instruction on mindfulness / Integral Polarity Practice in a small group setting
• one on one sessions with the retreat leader
• extended periods of silence
• time outdoors, mindful walking, exercise
• conscious work practice
• delicious, nourishing food

Another unique aspect of Lower Lights’ meditation retreats is the formal instruction on We Space practice. “We Space” is an innovative form of meditation that involves learning to bring your highest awareness to relationship and becoming increasingly sensitive to the collective field that we share as human beings.

In We Space practice, you will learn to:
• Experience meditative awareness not just when you’re practicing mindfulness individually but in the depths and richness of all the relationships in your life.
• Express enhanced creativity as you offer your unique voice and gifts in service of the Whole
• Dissolve the boundaries that leave you feeling lonely and isolated in life. Taste genuine intimacy via Unitive awareness.
• Know yourself at the deepest level, beyond the personality, as a timeless flow of consciousness and Intelligence in communion with all things.

We invite you to join us for this intensive training period! Do this for yourself. Do this in service of all those you love. Meet your suffering head on and become what you sense in your depths you are meant to become.

Arrival/Departure:
The retreat will begin promptly at 4:00pm Pacific on Monday, August 5th. Check-in time will be available starting at 3pm. We will finish at Noon Pacific on August 12th.

Retreat Schedule (subject to minor changes. Schedule differs on first day, last day):
6am-8am: Still sitting (formal meditation), walking meditation
8am-9am: Breakfast
9am-11am: Integral Polarity Practice / Still sitting, walking meditation
11-12pm: Mindful work period
12-1pm: Lunch
1-2pm: Personal time
2pm-4pm: Still sitting, walking meditation
4-5:30pm: Exercise / Time in Nature / Personal time
5:30-7pm: Dinner
7pm-9pm: Integral Polarity Practice / Dharma talk / We-space
9pm: Rest

We will be staying at Scholls Valley Lodge, about 45 minutes southwest of Portland International Airport. This retreat is suitable for both beginners and advanced practitioners.

COSTS: Tuition + Room & Board
Tuition (this includes admission and daily instruction):
$900 - student / financial assistance
$1,200 - standard
$1,500 - sustaining (100% of additional funds go toward scholarships for participants with financial need)

NOTE: The retreat tuition does not include room and board. Reserve your room & board with the Lodge HERE.

Note that the price of your room includes three deliciously catered meals per day.

Work/Trade: We have limited work/trade spots for those who can use additional financial assistance. Work/trade allows for participants to pay half tuition for the retreat with the agreement to help assist the staff throughout the retreat. If you are interested in applying, please email info@lowerlightswisdom.org

Scholarships: Thanks to our generous donors and supporters, we have scholarship funds available for each retreat. Note that room and board costs are not included in our scholarship offers. Please email us at info@lowerlightswisdom.org to be considered. In your email tell us about your financial situation and why you would like to be considered.

Cancellation Policy: No tuition refunds will be available within 90 days of the retreat. If you have registered for the retreat and can no longer attend, you have the option of finding someone to take your spot within the 90-day cutoff. Otherwise, you will forego the tuition payment. If you sign up for the retreat and withdraw at least 90 days before the start of the retreat, Lower Lights will refund 90% of your tuition payment. The spirit of this policy is to encourage participants to take full responsibility for the retreat spot they reserve.

Space is limited for this retreat and historically, our retreats fill very quickly. Please confirm your spot as soon as possible. Questions? email us at info@lowerlightswisdom.org (mailto:info@lowerlightswisdom.org).