Circle of Trust©: Spring Renewal at Prairiewoods (in person)

Circle of Trust^© retreats offer participants an immersive experience of the Courage & Renewal^© approach. Sponsored by the Center for Courage & Renewal (CCR), founded by Parker Palmer, it is based on Palmer’s idea of a “hidden wholeness” within us. During these quarterly, day-long retreats (also offered July 12, Oct. 4 and Jan. 10) at Prairiewoods (120 East Boyson Road in Hiawatha), we co-create trustworthy space to do our own inner work in community with others. Discovering who we authentically are and aligning our inner and outer lives—or “soul and role”—is an ongoing, life-long process that happens through discovering, listening to and following our “inner source of truth,” named in various wisdom traditions as identity, true self, heart, spirit or soul. The source of guidance and strength helps us find our way through life’s complexities and challenges. Poems, stories, songs, artworks, somatic activities—all drawn from diverse cultures and wisdom traditions—will offer opportunity to contemplate, reflect upon and share insights regarding authentic relationships with society, nature and spirit in order to inspire the soul to speak in a community of support and trust. As we listen to the wisdom of each person’s inner teacher, honor each person’s identity and integrity, and renew a courageous spirit, we journey toward personal and societal wholeness. Each Circle of Trust gathering will have a seasonal theme and a variety of full-group, small-group and individual time, including opportunities to connect with the beautiful natural grounds at Prairiewoods. These Circles of Trust are open to all, regardless of background or belief. The goal is to deepen understanding of one’s deepest self—one’s soul—especially in relationship to community, society, Earth and the spiritual realm as each circle member defines it. Participants are welcome to attend any one or more circle gatherings. A hope would be to build a community of circle members who gather frequently and are refreshed by newcomers and occasional attendees. Facilitator Thomas Dean is a trained Courage & Renewal facilitator. He is senior presidential writer/editor at the University of Iowa, where he also teaches interdisciplinary humanities and writing courses. He has taught in numerous community programs, including the Iowa Summer Writing Festival; facilitates retreats and workshops; and is a trained Land Ethic Leader through the Aldo Leopold Foundation. His books include Under a Midland Sky and Tallgrass Conversations: In Search of the Prairie Spirit (co-authored with Cindy Crosby), both from Ice Cube Press, and he has published numerous essays in national and regional academic and general audience publications. The cost is $50 per session, or $175 for the four-part series if paid in advance. For more information or to register, contact Prairiewoods at www.Prairiewoods.org or 319-395-6700.