The drum beats were implanted on 2nd night of conference when there was a dance. I thought the dance would be a performance by a group of local Native Americans or something but instead of a “demonstration of dance” it was a “participation in dance.” Everyone in the room was involved at some level. I started as a drummer but after about 1 hour of that I could not keep still so I handed my drum to a brother and joined into the dance. This was surely different for me. Not just that I was dancing but the level of freedom I felt while dancing. This truly was a different conference for me.

Part of conference was spent in nature but I never really went anywhere too far beyond the eye sight of resort.  So I normally would not consider this remote enough to be “out in nature” but somehow it was.  We were told not to go into an area that was considered a sacred area. Yet upon reflection I felt the whole area was sacred. Everywhere I walked seemed to have importance and meaning. Different indeed.

Most importantly, It was not just the people that I met, or the reunion with people I had not seen for some time, although I did meet so many great and wonderful people. Lots of Men from MALE’s along with their wives. The weavers, CAC staff, the men from our recently held MROP in Nov 2010, men from New York who were part of my MROP, men from all over the US and around the world, a great group of Australians.... Also in attendance was long time facilitator of deep shadow work who, 10 years ago, had been an instrumental part of my emotional healing, or as Bill Plotkin called it during the conference, my “Awakening.” Then there was just the “casual” conversation with the random people I met for the first time. Every conversation seemed to have some substance, some meaning, some importance that added to the uniqueness of this conference. Even the folks who I shuttled with from an offsite hotel. Three Canadians and a brother from Grand Rapids, Michigan, we became a small group who looked out for each other and shared our stories with each other. We have continued to talk via email in the weeks after conference.  

Another aspect about the people in attendance was that most if not all were involved in some way shape or form with what I would consider very important work. People who were healers, who teach and practice accupressure, massage, and lots of other healing arts. Spiritual directors, musicians, singers, poets and artists who were living their passions and sharing their gifts with others as counselors, teachers, work shop leaders, and performers. There were priests, ministers and chaplains, all these men and women of peace, who have given not just their time but their whole lives, many seemed to be at an important threshold. So, from young couples with newborns to older couples who travel around in RV’s they all seemed to be involved somehow and someway.

And Saturday morning we all gathered in the large tent down by the Rio Grande, for a service that featured an IONA Feast. At least 1000 or more. The day had started off very cold and a strong wind was blowing from the north. So as Father Richard started the service the wind seemed to blow harder and harder. The original tent had an addition that ran the length of the north-east side, and as the wind increased, that side took the brunt of it. It shook and vibrated. The wind sometimes lifting the concrete supports right off the ground.  During it all Richard continued to talk and almost all of the 1000 seemed unconcerned at all. Again I was struck by how different this conference seemed. To me it was as if we were on the sea of galilee in the boat with Jesus but nobody was freaking out. These were peacemakers all, who probably continue to do what they do, day by day, through the storms of life.  Again I was amazed at the difference and the significance of this conference.

Right up until the last day I heard lots of great things and took lots of notes. I left with a sense of urgency not really knowing what to do. I have a “list of things” to do, but it feels like they are just preparation for something bigger, something important, something of significance. So ever since the conference my energy level is very high and I am accomplishing some major tasks in my life. It is as if I am Nesting. So in that vein, remembering the woodpecker I heard and watched as I sat in the rain, way up the mountain in Frost Valley, NY. I am going to keep plugging away and trust that I am doing all the right things...... because as Bill said it is all about the Mystery.