2024 Into the Mystic NORWAY

“This retreat is so wonderful, so nourishing, and so magical!

The small group and the full week allow for an introvert like me to sink in deeply, have time to play, time to develop lasting friendships as well as plenty of time to wander and contemplate. The small sharing circles of women’s wisdom and authenticity are so powerful. I love all the Squam gatherings I’ve been to, but Into the Mystic is truly special
and I hope you continue to have it.”  Anjanette Bunce

It is with no small amount of excitement that we are thrilled to announce there will be another Into the Mystic gathering at Dharma Mountain in Norway. If you are not familiar with Into the Mystic, this offering is slightly different than our annual events on Squam lake as it is longer in duration with a smaller group.  Though each one is unique, what defines an Into the Mystic gathering is an exceptional location of natural beauty with a focus on nurturing our spirits through:

LIGHT     *     EASE     *     LAUGHTER     *      CREATIVE PLAY

Speaking of creative play, we are thrilled to share that Elizabeth Duke and Jenny Brown will be joining Elizabeth Duvivier for a week of inspiration and exploration. This adventure will invite each of us into our heart-center through stories, stitching, mixed-media, meditation and journaling. Of course, bring your KNITTING as there will be loads of time for that in and around the workshops!

HAPPY UPDATE: Tif Neilan of @tifneilan_handknits will be with us for the week! Tif has signed on to take classes and enjoy the restorative powers of this Into the Mystic retreat, but she has oh so kindly agreed to host a knitting circle as part of our extras on Saturday where her signature color work, herringbone and twisted fisherman stitch expertise will be a most fabulous way to close out our week! (Not that there won’t be lots of time to sink into lots of sweet knitting throughout this spacious gift of a week, ahem).

Above (bottom row) are images from our 2019 gathering
photo credit: Lori Ann Rushfeldt (left), Carlene Williams (right)

Five years ago, we gathered far from the shores of Squam Lake; in a most beautiful place that more than delivered on its promise of fresh perspective, natural beauty and accommodations grounded in comfort and simplicity: Dharma Mountain.

We all loved it so deeply, that we were on the docket to return in Spring 2020. Alas and alack. That was cancelled. No need to explain why that didn’t happen.

So, it felt important to allow time to pass before we rescheduled, but oh, happy day! Next Spring—we are headed back with bells on! (okay, you do know we won’t be wearing actual bells, but I do think there will be some happy feet . . just saying . . .)

Nestled into the heart of Norway’s spectacular
landscape, Dharma Mountain is a place designed to encourage
the sweetest refreshing spirit restoration + rejeuvenation.

Just two hours north of Oslo, Dharma Mountain is a retreat center that provides the perfect getaway from the busy demands of daily life and a chance to sink into the magic that results when we focus on creative play and connection– both to the world around us and, to the world within.

Although this gathering will be much smaller than our events at the lake, we will have the entire campus to ourselves which a very sweet indulgence indeed as that means we can spread out, breathe deeply and take advantage of the environment around us which includes:

• a nearby river with waterfalls and swimming pools
• magnificent mountain views.
• fire pit
• sauna
• magical walking trails

The kitchen is staffed with chefs who are keen to ensure that our meals are both nurturing and in full alignment with the light and healing energies we are calling in for ourselves.

NOTE: if you have special dietary needs beyond preferences and allergies—for example, you have an actual health condition such as celiac disease, do NOT register until you have emailed us and we can confirm that we are able to support your needs in full measure.

“I just wanted to share that I absolutely loved this retreat.

The smaller group setting and longer time really allowed me the time
needed to rest and become refreshed. In addition, the relationships
I made with the lovely ladies has lasted through these last few years.”
~ Angela McCutcheon

Of course the core of what brings us together is the intention to spend time in nature and creative exploration. This gathering is designed for each of us to focus on those aspects of our life we want to expand into with more light, more ease. And, these days tucked away into this magical landscape will provide the space to let go of those aspects of our life we are ready to release.

In other words, wherever you are on your journey,
whether you are at the beginning, middle or end of a chapter
in your life, these five days will help you make the transition
to the next place sweetly and filled with grace.

With our gentle-hearted teachers offering classes to support and inspire you, be ready for exploration into spirit as well as fun in a range of making: stitching, knitting, writing, and a host of mixed media play. The pace of the gathering is all about easy, nurturing energies that will allow us to let go and sink into our own individual ways of creative expression. The schedule is designed so that each workshop weaves organically into the next. That way, the central theme(s) you choose to explore can carry over seamlessly and your work will be enriched and expanded from each of these different access points.

“Into the Mystic gave me an opportunity
to create new ways to envision my life.”
— Artemis O’Connor

Photos: (left and center) Laura Hosey,
(right) Elizabeth Duvivier

As with all Squam gatherings, each person will be encouraged to listen to their heart and follow their own drummer to create the experience they most want and need. However, if there were a way to describe what will be true for us all, it could be said that our time together we will be grounded in:

• process versus productivity
• creativity as a central way of being in the world
• sharing stories and laughter
• finding more ease, more joy and more light in our hearts.

With this as our intention, we can expect to return home feeling more deeply aligned with our core self which allows us to provide greater service to our families and communities as we can feel refreshed with renewed clarity, vision and vitality.

all photos of Dharma Mountain courtesy of Dharma Mountain

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