Flying Lessons: Seven Ways to Break Free and Soar
An intimate, rustic, transformational retreat
At the Rocking X Ranch in Arizona
Oct. 2-5, Thursday afternoon through Sunday noon
Imagine. You leave your home on Thursday and travel to central
Arizona, where you begin in the desert, driving along back roads many
people have never seen. As you climb, you watch the vegetation change.
Prickly pear cactus give way to saguaros, then to yucca, then to oak.
You leave cell service behind and move through canyons up into the
pines, into the Tonto National Forest and the wilderness to 5500 feet.
You turn on to the road to the Rocking X property along Reynolds Creek
in the Sierra Ancha mountains.
You know your journey has just begun.
You open the gate and see a row of rustic, red cabins on the right.
One of them you’ll share with a roommate. You’ll have your own bath
and shower and wood-burning stove. Maybe the walnuts and sycamores are
showing fall color. Maybe the creek has gone dry, and maybe not. Maybe
some apples remain in the orchard or maybe the elk have eaten them.
Here nature is in charge.
On the left is a log cabin where the small group of no more than 8
will meet for sessions in the living room by the big rock fireplace.
You enter the cheery kitchen, where you’ll help with some of the meals
and join the group at the old ranch table, as people have been doing
here since the ‘20’s.
As you are warmly greeted, you realize that over the next three
days, everyone here will feel like an intimate friend.
You tour the 28-acre property with the group, learning about the
fascinating history of this property that has been a Mogollon Indian
settlement, an Apache hunting ground, a lion hunter’s camp, a
homesteader’s dream, a kids’ camp and a Trachta family treasure. You
see the pond, the creek, the orchard, the old barn, the pasture, and
the root cellar. You meet the horses and dogs. You’re introduced to
trailheads you might explore. You meet your fellow journeyers. You
settle into your simple cabin and lay out your sleeping bag on your
bed, full of anticipation.
After dinner together you begin. We gather in the charming living
room by the big stone fireplace and create sacred space, as the
ancient Earthkeepers did. We light candles. We talk about logistics.
We meditate and set our intentions. We begin to explore the powerful
metaphor of flight.
On Friday and Saturday we go through the 7 flying lessons. The
method is teaching by story, unpeeling a scene, finding what is true
for us. Finding where our spiritual growth edge is now. Learning a
process for looking within in a different way, asking ourselves to
stretch. Asking ourselves to share in a sacred circle, passing the
talking stick.
Each day you have alone time to hike, rest, journal, sit amongst
the trees or the ruins of pit houses. At night we sing, talk, toast
when we are finished with our process. On Saturday you make a soul map
in nature, and gather materials for a medicine pouch and an offering
to the spirits of the universe at a fire ceremony.
Sunday we have our final circle where we put it all together. Now
you have a seven-step process to use all your life on any issue. How
will you take it home? What will flying look like when you bring it
down the mountain and hold it closer than your computer, your
blackberry, your to-do list?
We have a follow-up conference call. You have a chance to reflect
on what has happened since you filled out your initial questionnaire
and had your initial phone call with Pam.
Can you imagine how you might be flying now in your life? What is
more spacious? How have you been freed? What things do you know about
yourself now? How will you treat yourself, coach yourself, be your own
flight instructor? You know how the seven-step process is going to
guide you.
You look out your window at and with your outer eyes, you see the
horizon near your home and know that you are on a great journey,
always. And with your inner eyes, you are still able to see yourself
in a sacred circle under the pines, by the fire, in a community...
Who should come and how you’ll benefit:
- There’s a lot being said today about intentions and creating one’s
own reality, but many of us find it difficult to know how to do that
in a way that really translates to what’s going on in our lives.
This retreat is designed to “stick” when you go down the mountain.
- Come if you are a seeker who values powerful spiritually-based
processes for accelerating personal growth and transformation.
- Come for a semi-private coaching experience in a small group of
like-minded, bright people who will “meet” again in a tele-conference
after the retreat.
- Come if you would like to experience the magic of ceremony on a
rare piece of land, under the bright stars of the new moon. (And
enjoy the support of the new moon for your own new beginnings.)
- Come if you would like a journey where you leave ordinary life
behind, immerse yourself in a beautiful, natural sanctuary, and
emerge with new understandings, inspiration and company.
The Rocking X Ranch
The “ranch,” which is no longer a working ranch, is a private
property owned by Jon and Pam Trachta. It is not a resort or a retreat
center, but a family getaway where we are asking you as our guests.
Our able, energetic and sensitive caretaker, David, makes every
effort to keep the cabins in working order. They are each equipped
with two beds and a simple bath with shower. Each is heated by a
wood-burning stove, and David will supply you with wood and
instructions. The cabins have no electricity, so we’ll supply you with
a Coleman lantern and flashlight. (The main cabin has electricity, so
we turn the generator on at night so we can have lights.)
Despite our best efforts, sometimes we are surprised by a broken
pipe or malfunction. The guest cabins are 60 years old. Guests at “the
ranch” love the rustic charm and are happy when they can treat
unexpected small discomforts as part of the experience of leaving city
life behind.
We have no cell service on the property, and certainly no wi-fi! If
you must make a cell call, you can usually find service by driving to
higher ground about 10-15 min. away. The nearest hospital is in Globe,
45 minutes away. The nearest small market is in Young, about 45
minutes away also.
The Rocking X is at 5500’ in the Ponderosa pines, in a valley
filled with native ruins, red rock formations and abundant wildlife.
We think you will find the Rocking X to be a very special sanctuary,
the perfect wilderness oasis to re-discover the quiet and beauty
without and within. Be prepared for the brightest stars you’ve seen in
a long time!
How to get there
The drive is about 3 hours from either Tucson or Phoenix. The Rocking
X is 50 miles north of Globe, AZ, located on Hwy 288, in the Sierra
Ancha Mountains north of Roosevelt Lake, 20 miles south of Young, AZ.
The property is in the Tonto National Forest, and there are only a few
other private properties in the area.
When we gather our participants, there will undoubtedly be the
opportunity to rent a car together and make the journey up the
mountain with company. We’ll be sending detailed directions.
Four-wheel vehicles are generally not required, unless we have
surprise storms. Almost all the road to the ranch is paved. We ask
that you arrive Thursday between noon (after lunch) and 3pm. Allow
time for a leisurely trip; the mountain road is windy and care should
be taken—no guard rails! The views along the way are spectacular, so
you may want to stop and photograph.
The food
Since we are not a commercial retreat center, we are offering communal
cooking as part of the retreat experience. We have a large, recently
remodeled kitchen, where we’ll also be eating together.
Tessa, an experienced caterer, will be our main cook. Each of you
will be asked to help her cook for one meal and clean up for another.
You’ll also be asked to bring ingredients for part of your
meal—something simple like greens for a salad, which you can pick up
before coming up the mountain.
After gathering your dietary requests, we’ll plan healthy meals
with vegetarian options and ask you for a contribution for your share.
(Whether you’re a big eater or small, we ask that everyone contribute
equally.) Any liquor you wish to bring is up to you.
Breakdown of costs:
Your lodging contribution of $100 per night will cover David’s time
preparing your cabin, bringing your firewood and starting your fire
each night.
Your food contribution of $150 for three days will allow us to
create wonderful meals. You’ll also be asked to bring a small
contribution of ingredients for part of a meal.
The balance of your fee will cover the retreat experience; it will
go to Pam and assistant Sandy, and will cover all your materials. Your
fee will cover an initial questionnaire and phone conversation with
Pam, and a follow-up tele-conference with the group.
You’ll see that if you register early, you can save. You’ll also
see that we are asking you to commit. The group size is small, so if
you cancel there will be no refund. We think you’ll find that the
commitment to the small group experience is part of the benefit you’ll
derive.
Your safety and the land’s well-being:
Since we will be gathering on a remote property, we will offer some
tips for your safety and well-being. (We ask that if you hike, you let
us know when you’re leaving and which direction you’re going in, and
we make sure you have water with you.)
We have first aid supplies, and Sandy is a registered nurse. The
nearest hospital is 45 minutes away in Globe.
This is precious land, and we treat it and the native ruins on it
with respect. We’ll tell you more about how to treat pottery shards
and other finds when we are together.
What to bring:
- A warm sleeping bag (nights can be cold, and although you’ll
have sheets and blankets, we want to make sure you’re toasty!)
- A water bottle (You can refill it with our wonderful spring
water from our well!)
- Layers of casual clothing, including a warm jacket and good
walking shoes
- A flashlight and possibly a “book light” to read by in your
cabin
Ready to register?
To reserve a place, either use
PayPal.com to pay electronically or
by credit card, or send a check for $500 made out to Through A
Different Lens, Inc. to:
13830 N. Sutherland Trail
Tucson, AZ 85739
Email me to let me know your deposit is coming and I
will send you a form to fill out to officially sign you up.
The balance will be due by August 20.
Total cost of the retreat:
- Discounted total cost for early registrants, until July 1:
$1350.
- Total cost for registering between July 1 and August 15: $1500.
- Due to the small group of participants, no refunds will be
given.
Register now and begin looking forward to flying!
Through a Different Lens, Inc.
13830 N. Sutherland Trail · Tucson, AZ 85739
(520) 825-5463 ·
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