INSIDE THIS ISSUE

ƒƒ ESSENTIAL CONTEMPLATIONS 2

ƒƒ A WINTER’S TALE 2 NEWSLETTER ƒƒ OUR GANG 3 ƒƒ MEET THE STAFF 4

ƒƒ GIVING CORNER 5

ƒƒ COMING UP 8 My Guest House 6 Questions for Bernie By Jorge Arango

Glassman In every corner, around each tree—a transformation, an open- From May 10-12 at Guest House, ing. The field of Guest House sus- tains me through infinite person- Bernie Glassman will co-host, with al discoveries, headlong tumbles Walter Link (Diamond Approach® into the abyss and re-emergence teacher and originator of the “In- into a greater fullness of life. spired Pragmatism” approach to transformation) a program entitled A walking meditation one crisp autumn afternoon… Skirting the “Living a Life that Matters: Integrat- woods I become aware that I ab- ing Action and Realization to Unfold sorb with great joy the tapestry Our Potential.” of colors, the rustle of breeze as it sifts through the thick screen of en master Glassman is co-au- Photo Credit: Alan Kozlowski birch, oak and pine. Yet my eyes thor, with actor Jeff Bridges, also dart quickly over unruly tan- of New York Times bestseller gles of vines and haphazard scat- Z in Rwanda to bear terings of leaves that have curled The Dude and the Zen Mas- ter (Penguin). He founded witness to the geno- and browned, and suddenly I un- Greyston Mandala, a net- “My opinion of loving cide that took place derstand how in my human life work of for-profits and actions are those that there 20 years ago. I seek order and turn away from messier situations. What I can- non-profits working to arise naturally when one Most recently he is focusing on promot- not order—the chaos of fear, the improve the lives of in- enters a situation in the confusion of emotions I don’t ing socially engaged dividuals and the larger state of not-knowing, comprehend, the disorientation inner-city community of Buddhism, the devel- and then bears witness of shifting identities, the muddle Yonkers, New York. He opment of dharma of projections—discomfits me. also founded Zen Peace- to that situation. It has centers (Zen houses) Being attentive to this tendency makers for Zen practitio- nothing to do with one’s in impoverished ar- eventually lessens my avoidance ners dedicated to peace or the other’s opinions eas and on nurturing and makes me more resilient. and social justice. He has as to whether it is loving communication and Another summer morning, I am interaction between hosted Bearing Witness action or not.” “silent witness,” observing, from retreats at the old sites affiliates of the Zen the loft above the dining room, my of Auschwitz-Birkenau in Peacemakers Sangha. fellow students having breakfast.

Poland for 18 years, and (Continued on page 6) (Continued on page 7) this year will conduct one 1 v Essential A Winter’s Tale Contemplations By Jane Bronson

In each issue, we look at dif- On Friday, February 8, a severe winter storm dropped approximate- ferent views from different ly 40 inches of snow on parts of New England. We had a full house for paths regarding a single sub- Diane Poole Heller’s retreat, “Healing Attachment Wounds and Em- ject. Since our 2013 programs bracing Essence.” Jane Bronson, one of our board members who at-

are focused on the heart, we tended, sent us this dispatch when she arrived back home that Sunday. offer these contemplations on the heart and on love… just returned from Guest House. The retreat itself was wonderful and nourishing to me personally. I The important thing is not to I feel the significance that Guest House think much, but to love much; programs can have. The field generat- and so, do that which best stirs ed was open and deeply compassion- you to love. ate, which touched us all. So, when —St. Teresa of Avila the big snowstorm hit, I was already in a place of open sensitivity. That may explain some of the impact that Guest House had on me these past There is a light that shines few days. beyond all things on Earth, beyond us all, beyond the Marianne (Hile, director of retreat

heavens, beyond the highest, services), Chef Steve Matterazzo Photo Credit: Marianne Hile the very highest heavens. This and a couple of kitchen staff stayed is the light that shines in our overnight so they could serve us as heart. usual on Saturday. Marianne didn't —The Chandogya sleep soundly, having kept one eye Upanishad open for the power to go out, as we all felt certain it would. Think- ing ahead, she had bought a pile of flashlights just in case. The next Love is an existence, not a morning she was at the desk early reaction, not an activity. It is not with such grace and energy you a thought, or an emotion…it is would have thought she’d been Essence. You cannot have love, home and asleep for a weekend. as you are love. Whenever you Meanwhile Will (Galvin, our mainte- feel you have love, there is a nance manager) looked like a snow- contradiction. man each time he’d take a well- Photo Credit: Sarah Tremaine —A.H. Almaas deserved break from shoveling. He stayed up all night to keep ahead of the storm and ensure access re- mained clear. He was still shovel- Look at every path closely and ing Saturday morning when I saw deliberately. Try it as many him, and he kept shoveling snow times as you think necessary. the entire day. He and his daughter Then ask yourself, and your- Becca eventually shoveled out over self alone, one question.... 30 cars. He just kept on going, kept Does this path have a heart? on going, kept on going. I was in awe. If it does, the path is good. If it On Saturday one of the kitchen staff doesn’t, it is of no use. walked three miles to get to work, —Carlos Casteñeda one mile of it in waist-deep snow. Chef Steve felt magnanimous to 2 (Continued on page 3) Photo Credit: Jane Bronson A Winter’s Tale Our Gang

(Continued from page 2) A regular column that focuses on a guest group frequently in residence at Guest House. me. The food that day was superb, as always, includ- ing the 120 coconut haystacks! (There were just six left on the plate once we had our fill.) All the kitchen staff was cheery and helpful, as though nothing much had occurred overnight. Mind you, most of the roads were still impassible. Sunday, Marianne was once again at the desk early. She had slept over, as another group of 40 were arriv- ing. Our group was out of our rooms by 10 a.m. to ac- commodate the shift. Only two housekeepers could get in, so Steve (Kennedy, our executive director) and his wife Pattie, snowed in themselves, trekked to Guest House and pitched in. The last I saw Steve, he ounded over 40 years ago, the Hoffman Process was pushing a cartload of used sheets and towels into brings into awareness the counterproductive the elevator, bound for the laundry. He still had his ski Fbeliefs, perceptions and emotional needs that cap on. have been adopted from parents and others who shaped our early life. These distortions of reality block When I expressed my gratitude to Marianne, Steve, our capacity to be fully present and open to life’s op- Will and Chef, they seemed surprised. This was life portunities. The Process provides the possibility and at Guest House. Perhaps this particular situation was tools to let go of what is not working and move nat- unusual, but many are. Still, I felt touched to my core urally into being the primary creative force in all as- to be so taken-care of, and to see that their obvious pects of our lives. professionalism was coupled with such a depth of personal generosity, compassion and joyful sense of Our “infused teaching” addresses all dimensions of service. Everyone in our retreat group felt this. It was your being: intellectual, emotional, physical and spiri- these few individuals who took it upon themselves tual. It is the integration of our whole self that creates to absorb the entire impact of the storm so that we powerful forward motion and establishes the frame- retreatants could have a seamless experience. Even work for being a more loving, mature, creative and now I do not know how they did that. balanced person. With a deeper and more thorough sense of this organization I am a part of, I feel, more than ever, what The Hoffman Process continues to develop in col- an honor it is for me to be a participant. And by the laboration with experts, including health profession- way, Guest House looked lovely dressed in white.  als, therapists, educational advisors, spiritual healers and others from the human potential movement. One teacher for every seven to nine students provides you Other GH News with the individualized attention that catalyzes pow- erful personal change. * We’d like to thank Tom Muraco for his donation of bedroom furniture, which was not acknowledged in “Guest House provides impeccable support for our our last newsletter. Apologies, and thanks Tom! work,” says teacher Sudas Buckley. “The attention to detail of the staff, and their loving care, make this a * And another huge thanks to Hilary Peck for her sec- premier site for the Hoffman Process. The cleanliness ond donation of furniture, rugs, lighting and outdoor and healthy cuisine are gifts that inspire a healthy chaises. Soon our already beautiful interiors will be lifestyle in our students so they can do the work they even more inviting. We’re beginning to look like a spa! came to do.” * As if the February 8th snowstorm was not enough, Mother Nature dumped another 16 inches of the Learn more about the Hoffman Process on free, live white stuff on us March 8th. Once again, our amaz- introductory calls offered every Tuesday evening at 5 ing staff came to the rescue. Thanks to Will, Bob, John, p.m. PST. Got to www.hoffmaninstitute.org for in- Henry and Steve Jr. for all the arduous shoveling.  formation. Or call 800.506.5253 or 415.485.5220. 

3 Meet the Staff: Meredith Dow

Q: Where are you from? A: I’ve been practicing yoga for about 10 years and got my 200- A: I’ve lived in Connecticut hour certification two years my entire life, and in this ago. I completed my training area for 12 years. And it while living at Kripalu for a takes me about 12 minutes month. The training was men- to get to work, which is the tally, emotionally and physi- kind of commute I like! cally intense; we would practice Q: How did you come to work yoga for eight to 10 hours a day. at Guest House? I currently teach five classes a week and have taught guest A: I was working at The Cook- groups here. ing Company, a gourmet bakery/take-out restaurant, Q: Has it given you some particu- where [GH executive direc- lar insight for your work? tor] Steve Kennedy came A: Yoga has given me patience pretty regularly for a muf- and clarity. The practice and the fin and a coffee. One morn- lifestyle allow me to trust the ing, the coffeepots hadn’t process of life and to tap into been assembled correctly, my inner wisdom, my intuition. making the coffee extremely Yoga benefits every aspect of watery. (I didn’t realize this my life—not only at work, but until later that morning.) also in my relationships with The next time Steve came in, come to the front desk with all myself and others. I apologized and told him to sorts of needs and special re- help himself to a cup of cof- quests. Among other things, it’s Q: What kinds of things do you do fee, on the house. It was just a lot of chasing down informa- in your free time? tion to then pass along to Bob the right thing to do. A: I love to take my 1½ -year-old for setting up meeting spaces, Several weeks later, I was yellow lab, Dharma, for a run or or to Chef so he is aware of any putting out the “Open” flags a hike. She is the best running food restrictions guests may when Steve pulled up. I was buddy. She sets a great pace! have. having a very bad morn- Q: What’s something you can tell Q: What was your first impression ing and, as he got out of us about yourself that no one at of the building and grounds? his truck, he asked, “Hey, GH knows yet? ya need a job?” I think I A: Rhonda gave me a tour af- A: I LOVE to cook! Especially laughed, wondering how se- ter my interview, and I remem- in the summertime when I’ve rious he was. But, yes, I did ber saying, as we walked to- picked up all my beautiful, fresh need a job. I loved working ward the dining room, “Oh my! ingredients from local farmers’ at The Cooking Company—I I don’t think I’d ever get sick of markets. But there is something have a passion for food— walking past this fireplace. It’s to say for using a crock-pot dur- but I needed something full- beautiful!” And I love the old ing those winter months, com- time. A couple of days later, I beams in the dining room. It’s a ing home to the entire house had an interview with Rhon- lovely place to work. All of the smelling delicious! da [Nutile, business opera- employees who take care of this tions director]…and the rest building are so dedicated. I am Q: What’s your favorite color? is history! always amazed at the way Guest A: Green... and purple. Q: What do you do here? House supports the needs of the groups who come here—we Q: Channing Tatum or Jeremy A: I work with Marianne Hile create such a sacred space. Renner? in retreat services. People Q: We hear you teach yoga… A: Ha! Channing Tatum.  4 Giving Corner “We make a living by what we get. We make a life by what we give.” —Winston Churchill uest House depends on your tax-deductible donations to cover a part of its operating costs and help keep our rates as low as possible. GWhen giving to causes they believe in, not everyone can afford to give major sums. But no matter the amount, the act of giving enriches not only the cause that receives, but also the lives of those who give. By giving, you become a part of Guest House, which is a beautiful, nurturing and supportive environment for the transformational work of those who seek to develop human potential and enrich the world. To give a tax-deductible donation, go to guesthousecenter.org, click on Donate Now, and then on Friend of Guest House. Any donation, no matter the size, is greatly appreciated. Here’s what your donation could cover: $25 - One flat of begonias and pansies $75 - Granola for a month $100 - 85 boxes of Kleenex $250 - Screens for one French door (need 17) $500 - New computer for front desk $1,000 - Electric bill for one week $2,500 - Booster pump for the well $5,000 - Improve parking lot lighting v Our Thanks... …to all who were Founding Members of the first class of 2012 Friends of Guest House.

2012 FRIENDS OF GUEST HOUSE HONOR ROLL Barbara Rosen Karen Anderson Adam Fuller Isabelle Lorans Michael Rosetta Roseanne Annoni Ilka Giges Lena Mandelis Richard Rowley Jorge Arango Jordan Goodman & Mark Curelop Elizabeth Russell Jill Berman Amy Graybeal Elizabeth Martinson Terry Saracino Bush Bing Michael Graetzer Tim Marvin Josie Sentner Peggy Braun Therese & Scott Griffiths Stephan Martin Catherine Seo Jane Bronson Kristina Grondahl Meg Miller Don Shaw Tabor Butler Frances Helmstadter Bonalyn Mosteller David Shultz Sydney Cash Margaret Hixon Neil Moylan Patricia Simko Elizabeth Cassady Jill Herman Helen Newman Sandra Jean Simmons Denise Catuogno Tsuguo Hirata Suzanne Noble Anne Singer Jeff Charno Grace Holland The Nutmeg Fund at Elizabeth Slayton Leah Chyten Diane Ingram the Community Jesse Stoner Nancy Closs Waltraud Ireland Foundation of Sarah Tremaine Vince Drady Carol Irving Middlesex County Ann Viviano Cory Greenberg Colleen James Jerry O’Halloran Michael Ward & Parvati Gras Nancy Joly Richard Onken Laura Wells Daphne Cruze-Zug Stephanie Kenen Hadley Perry Susan Weiley Ralph Curcuru Steve Kennedy Ken Porter Malcolm Winkley Julia Dengel Carrie Lamson Bernadette Prue Sara Zwart Joyce Dowdall Dorothy Landry Marlene Reisman Anonymous (3) Sara Ellison Laurie Leonard Lisa Ricci 5 Please go to our “Donate Now” page at www.guesthousecenter.org to join or renew your annual membership. 6 Questions for Bernie Glassman

(Continued from page 1) GH: For our 2013 programs, Guest House meandering and spend time with his monks wanted to bring awareness to the role of and nuns in one locale. In Japanese this pe- the heart in spiritual work. You’ve spent a riod is called Ango, a period of peace in lifetime integrating action and realization. space and time. In English we use the word What’s the heart’s role in spiritual activism? “retreat” to often mean “getting away from

Photo Credit: Alan Kozlowski BG: Loving Actions are those that arise natu- the issues of the world.” A Bearing Witness rally when one enters a situation in the state retreat is becoming one with the “issues of the of not-knowing and then bears witness to that world.” A Zen meditation retreat bears witness situation. It has nothing to do with one’s or the to the wholeness of life. I use the word “plunge” others’ opinions as to whether it is loving ac- for my Bearing Witness retreats; that is, to tion or not. This is my opinion of heart in spiri- plunge into the unknown, into that which my tual activism. rational mind can’t fathom. These plunges, or GH: Many think of Zen Buddhism as having Bearing Witness retreats, have helped folks let a passive nature in its philosophy. How do go of their attachments to their ideas or con- you reconcile this with social action? cepts and experience things as they are. BG: Japan’s leading spiritual leader of all time, GH: In the book, you use the analogy of the a Buddhist master active in the 6th century, rowboat to refer to your practices and say said the way you can tell the depth of a per- that as your spiritual understanding has son’s enlightenment is how they serve others. gotten bigger and deeper, your rowboat has changed many times. Could you share GH: The Dude and the Zen Master has been some practices that you use most? enormously successful. Congratulations! To what do you attribute this? The popularity BG: The founding of the Greyston Mandala and cult film status of “The Big Lebowski?” to assist homeless and low-income folks was Or is it about something deeper? based on my spiritual understanding and is my major work in bringing that understanding BG: I believe the book brings the essence of to the world of business. The Bearing Witness Zen to the reader in non-technical language. Retreats—in the streets, at Auschwitz and in GH: In the introduction to the book you say Rwanda—have brought that understanding to you are a practitioner of the “Zen of action, the world at large. of living freely in the world without causing GH: In addition to “The Big Lebowski,” what harm, of relieving our own suffering and the other works of pop culture seem on the sur- suffering of others.” How is your work—the face purely entertaining, but actually have book, the retreats at Auschwitz, this work- substantial spiritual subtext? shop—an expression of that Zen of action? BG: “The Fisher King” and “Ground Hog Day.”  BG: In the days of Shakyani Buddha, dur- ing the rainy season, Buddha would stop his

6 My Guest House

(Continued from page 1)

Other silent witnesses have reported morning session, now open to incal- even the remorse for moments when how obvious people’s disconnection culable shifts that reverberate for the I’ve acted without presence and com from their experience of nourishment rest of the retreat and beyond. passion. It is this room’s sturdy wood becomes from this vantage point. But en beams that hold me as identities During a free afternoon on another for me, the disconnection I perceive crumble, leaving me momentarily retreat, I sit by the fire with my com- is my own. I realize how many of the terrified, empty; this room’s chalky puter. Some students knit, others leadership duties I’ve taken on in the white walls that bleach those fears converse, others read. We look up oc- group (as well as in my career, my from my bones and allow me to face casionally to engage in some sponta- family orbit, my board work) are mo- the world as a new person, in a new neously arising conversation. I notice tivated by a desire for approval, vis- life, every single day. the absence of any need to prolong ibility and respect. dialogues and an effortless ability to None of these realizations is static. Then a deeper understanding: my sense when they reach their natural They deepen and morph and dissi- projection of being capable and in conclusion. This, I think tenderly, is pate into mist. And they do not tran- control actually separates me from true intimacy. I have had other expe- spire in a vacuum. My board work those with whom I crave to connect riences of intimacy with fellow stu- elicits capacities I never thought I because they have grown accus- dents, but it is only now, in this small had, which illuminate specific aspects

Photo Credit:Anastassios Mentis, mentistudio.com tomed to the illusion that I need pearlescent moment, that I appre- about my soul and what it uniquely nothing. This fictional being also in- hend myself as an embodiment of offers. And this in turn brings dimen- timidates some into feeling they can that quality. sion to my experience of my value only relate to me in some official ca- in inquiries with my fellow students. The White Barn is a vehicle for pacity. The spark of profound contact I can’t always access understand- epiphanies so numerous that I sense becomes as remote as my fellow stu- ing and openness in the day-to-day them rushing down like a cascade of dents are from this lofty perch. world. But somehow at Guest House, brightly burning stars. In this space I even if I struggle with self-remember- My mind hallucinates a glass bubble am granted the gift of true compas- ing, even if I cannot make sense of the descending over my fellow students, sion—for my parents, for a misguided chimeras that enslave me, I know a and I see myself thrown onto it, wail- world and, most importantly, for my- powerful field here supports, pro- ing and violently banging my fists to self. Here I am set free from the com- tects and values my experience.  smash through to some sense of con- punction to reject what I perceive nection. My legs are shaking when I as “less virtuous” aspects of my life; 7 descend the stairs and head for the where I understand I can own it all, Coming Up

Guest House Programs Other Programs Open to the Public (Visit www.guesthousecenter.org and click on Rupert Spira (nonduality; rupertspira.com) “Programs” for more information) April 28-May 3

Living a Life that Matters: Integrating Action and Hoffman Process groups (hoffmaninstitute.org) Realization to Unfold Our Potential May 17-24, June 21-28, August 23-30, and with Bernie Glassman and Walter Link October 11-13 May 10-12 April 19-21(Q2 Intensive group) September 27-28 (Inner Work for Leaders) Soulstirr—A BreakAway for Women of Color (zuridesigns-usefulbeauty.biz/soulstirr) May 29-31 Hartford Family Institute Summer Conference (healers and psychotherapists, info@hartford- familyinstitute.com, 860.236.6009) June 7-12 Portals to Transformation in Popular Culture Male Survivor Weekend of Recovery (male survi- with renowned Enneagram teacher vors of sexual abuse, [email protected]) Russ Hudson July 12-14 June 28-30 Slain by Beauty: Freeing the Heart through Sufi Dance, Music and Inquiry with Gayan Macher and Maitreya Jon Stevens October 18-20

Forever Family Foundation Retreat (foreverfami- lyfoundation.org) July 26-28 Gestalt Center Retreat ([email protected] July 26-29 Write Yourself Free Retreat (writeyourselffree. com, [email protected]) Exploring the Heart: A Video Retreat July 28-31 with A.H. Almaas (Hameed Ali), Jane Bronson Anne Marie Santoro Writers Retreats (yesams@ and Anne Singer aol.com, 888.937.2536) November 1-3 July 28-August 3 and August 11-17 Meditation in the World COSIA Women’s Leadership Retreat (cosiare- Alternating, with Jane Bronson and Nancy Joly [email protected]) Free, Wednesday evenings at 7:00 August 2-4 Art & Soul Metal Clay Mojo Conference (met- alclaymojo.com) September 5-8 This newsletter is published by: Guest House Roberta Isleib Seascape Writers Retreat (mystery 318 West Main Street writers, robertaisleib.com/seascape.html) Chester, CT 06412 September 27-29 Phone: 860.322.5770 www.guesthousecenter.org 3rd Annual Gemstone Therapy Retreat (gem- ©2013 – All rights reserved stone therapy sessions, GEMFormulas.com, 860.646.3063 ) 8 October 16-20