Regarding deep friendships & relationships Getting past this to this !

With groups ..... Getting Past                        to creating this  !

"  arg..... what (or who) is for dinner? " Yes... true friendships !! ...

        There is a hunger for "community" in our country, a desire for more real and supportive connection.  Many people from therapists to TV talk show hosts, to teachers, and even to some politicians; now talk about essentially negative or wanting aspects of our culture and call forth for more "community".  In spite of the many calls for it, there have been pitifully few real or accurate suggestions on how to create the community that is needed.
        This extraordinary process will provide us with a Gateway to discovering, experiencing, recreating, and bringing forth the best elements of community.  The process starts and ends with  two separate 3 day retreat events  held approximately 10 weeks apart.    In between those two events there will be an ongoing connection facilitated among us via a very special internet process which is only for workshop attendees.  We will learn through direct experience both the magic and the power of "real" community in a natural flow of events which touch on all elements of what it is to be human and in authentic connection with one's higher self and then with each other. There will be a touching on and integration of the physical, emotional, social, mental and spiritual elements of our being.  Real community is both an environment and a way of being which acknowledges, heals, supports, integrates, and uplifts all of these elements within us, both individually and collectively.  Spiritually it is part of the path home.

The Gateway facilitator:  Eric N. Best, Ph.D.

    Eric  is a unique combination of psychologist, scientist, and spiritual explorer.   He has practiced and taught meditation along with relationship and community building workshops for many years.  He is the author of "Touching Your Soul  -  The Path to Healing & Joy" which concludes with the opportunity to use real community as a down to earth manifestation of Joyful spirituality.
 
 
 

You can expect to gain from this experience:
 

Requirements for attending:

• An honest desire to know yourself better and to authentically connect with others.
• A commitment to stay present with the community process as it unfolds within you & us.
• A willingness to work, play, learn and experience Joy.

Dates :    GW 1: May 23 - 25     Friday, Saturday & Sunday.
                   GW 2: July 25 - 27, 2008

Location :    The Mariposa Group community site in Bivins, Texas;  30 miles due south of Texarkana in the northeast corner of Texas, very close to the border with Louisiana and Arkansas in very beautiful, natural, and green rolling countryside.
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Costs :      GateWay starts off with a 3 day event in this rural retreat setting.  The process then  continues with a very special, supervised and exclusive InterNet connection among the participants of the initial 3 day event.   At the end of ten weeks there is the second 3 day retreat gathering of the participants.

  Tuition    $325: for attending only the first event.  It is $625. for both retreats with a
                  $100. discount  in total tuition if you place a $350. deposit 6 weeks prior to the first of the two GateWay events, with the balance due by 4 weeks of the second event.  This will include for you the ten week internet connection at no charge.  Otherwise there is a $20 registration fee for the internet connection after attending the first event.  Again tuition for attending only the first event is $325.  After attending the first event, you may sign up for the second GateWay for $325.
           Tuition policy and tuition reductions

   Housing :   Several moderately priced motels are located a few miles away in Atlanta, Texas.  Please inquire below and we will be glad to provide information on them.  On site sleeping may be available for those with RV's or sleeping bags.  The cost is $10 per night if this option is choosen.

   Food :  Lunch is a group activity each day at the retreat site.  The cost is $5.00 per person.  All other meals are individually handled.

Transportation:  For those flying in from out of state, the closest airports are in Texarkana, Texas  (35 miles away) and Shrieveport, Louisiana (55 miles away).  Dallas - Fort Worth (DFW) airport is about a 3 hour drive.  Rental cars are available at all 3 airports.   We will help you in coordinating rental car sharing with other attendees if you would like.
 

Contact       Call    903/799-6161    to register or for further information.

   or      email   Eric at:           ericnbest "at" pngusa  Please excuse the spam

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"I went to the conference to learn about soft technology, organic gardening and financing.  I learned that if there is communion between the hearts, all else will fall into place.
                                                                Rhea Monro     Cambridge, England

"This is the first time I've come into community through Joy."
                                                                 Nancy Robb    Seattle, WA

"As I gained an understanding of the process, the "truth" had the impact of an explosion as the benefits became apparent.  Since I came with the intuitive awareness that something momentous was brewing, I realized that this experience has revealed clearly WHO I am and WHAT my future holds.  I intend to make this a reality."
                                                                    L.O.   Van Alystyne, Texas..

 "I can't imagine a more enabling experience for groups in almost any stage of forming a Co-Housing community than a Relationship / Community workshop such as this."
                                                                    Pat Denslow    Pasadena, California
....
"I loved the activities and the acts of intimacy & sharing left a deep impression on me.  I am starting to witness a sense of spiritual growth  -- spiritual partnerships coming out of this experience."                                                   L.U.   Irving, Texas

"What was best about this workshop for me was gaining an understanding that real community involves emotional honesty.  It is a very satisfying experience.  Feels like I am part of a family like the one I experienced in Colorado Springs."
                                                                              J.J.  McKinny, Texas