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Walking the Trails While the main building remains closed, the Center's beautiful trails through fields and woods, passing by streams, ravines and cascade, are open to members and friends who would like to take a day-time hike. Bring a lunch to enjoy on the trail benches or by the pond. It may also be possible to arrange a "take-out" lunch if you arrive at mid-day on a day when lunch is served. Contact receptionist Maggy Alleyne (info@springwatercenter.org) to let her know your plans and so she can let the staff know that you'll be using the parking lot and the trails.
Staff are seeking vaccinations and continue to stay in touch with the latest developments concerning the Coronavirus pandemic, emerging variants of the virus and the best way to keep the community safe. We're immensely grateful for the support of members and friends through this difficult year. This update has news of the many ways to connect with the meditative work that staff and friends are offering.
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April 23-27, 4 Day Online Retreat with Stew Glick
Stew Glick will lead this four day retreat giving daily talks, offering private meetings and attending group dialogues. Stew began working closely with Toni Packer, the Center's founder, in the 1970's and has led retreats at the Center since the 1990's.
In a recent article, What is the Highest Calling of my Heart, Stew wrote, "The question "who am I?" is answered in the tweeting of birdsong, the swaying of trees in the wind, fresh air on the face, the glistening of early morning dew, the barking of a dog. It is answered in seeing clearly the person right next to me, freshly, just as they are. In this spirit, the question "who am I?" is not "my" question, but rather it's the question the entire universe is asking."
Register for this retreat by clicking the button below.
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May 5, 9:00 am-4:00 pm Trail Maintenance Day
We welcome members and friends who live nearby to join staff for a fun (socially distanced) day of walking the trails, clearing brush and opening them up for the season. We have some tools, but if you have tools like clippers it would be helpful to bring them along. Bring your own lunch so we can eat together outside. We'll provide bottled water. Please email us at info@springwatercenter.org if you plan to come. Rain date is May 26.
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May 8-18, 10 Day Online Retreat with Wayne Coger and Sandra Gonzalez
Both Wayne and Sandra worked closely with Toni Packer and have led retreats at the Center for many years. They will give talks, offer private meetings and attend daily dialogues during this ten day retreat.
“Passion is needed for this work of moment to moment, a passion with no object. We could also say curiosity and deep interest for the sake of clarity, for the love of beauty and harmony, for a life that makes sense, and foremost understanding our crazy wild life: feelings of anger, judgement, isolation, sadness and confusion.
Discovering motives and appetites that get in the way of listening to ourselves, to others or to whatever is happening right now in this moment—birds chirping, breathing, the churning of emotions, the rustling of leaves as the wind blows…"
Wayne shares in an article he wrote entitled, Sorrow and Beauty, that "... there is nothing wrong in feeling whatever emotions arise. Feelings might be engendered by thought, memory or by reactions to circumstance; from myriad causes. And there is nothing wrong in sensing and aware-ing the sorrows, angers and fears that emerge. But it is wonderful to discover, in moments of awareness, that thoughts and feelings do not have to bind us—that we don't have to cling to our sorrows... Is there separation outside of our thoughts and beliefs—our memories and images? Without the blanket of thought and belief, there can be a simplifying of emotion, a possibility to feel and be with what is alive in this moment, with no regrets and without the overlays of should and ought."
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Guest Cabin and Tent Platforms
While the Center remains closed during the pandemic, the small, rustic cabin is available to guests. The cabin is nestled in a wooded area away from the main building.
We also have two tent platforms near a meadow at the edge of the woods available for those who enjoy the outdoors. For more information about reserving the cabin or tent platforms contact the Center at info@springwatercenter.org.
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Message for Center Members
Members whose dues are in good standing will receive a notice of the May 30 Annual Meeting and a Proxy Ballot. If you are not sure if your membership dues are up to date, please contact Tom Beall-Schwab in the financial office: info@springwatercenter.org.
See the Membership website page for Information about the benefits and obligations of becoming a Center member.
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2021 Above-the-Line Charitable Tax Deduction Information
In 2021, donations to the Center may be eligible for an above-the-line tax deduction of up to $300 for single United States taxpayers who do not itemize and $600 for married couples filing jointly who do not itemize. Information about this benefit through the 2021 Consolidated Appropriations Act is available online, or consult a financial advisor or tax preparer.
Two areas that are currently in need of donations are described below.
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Garage/Barn Project
Thanks to all who have supported the new garage/barn project. Progress continued throughout the winter thanks to the hard work of Wayne Coger and Bob Bromley with additional support from Tom Beall-Schwab. Windows, doors and interior stairs have been added. Siding, electric, insulation and heat still need to be installed to make the building an effective shelter and workplace. Donations to complete the garage/barn are needed and most welcome. To make a donation, please use the "Donate" button and choose the Development option.
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New Vehicle Needed
After 10 years of service, the Center's Subaru passenger vehicle has succumbed to Western New York State's rust-inducing winter road conditions and is no longer roadworthy. Donations are sought to help purchase a safe vehicle for day-to-day transportation of people, groceries and the myriad items that keep a country retreat facility functioning. To make a donation, please use the "Donate" button, and choose the General Donation option.
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Daily Online Timed Sittings
We invite you to take advantage of the timed sittings that are available daily (except Mondays) and the weekly Saturday schedule of timed sitting followed by a recorded Toni Packer talk and group dialogue. These take place when the Center is not holding an online retreat or All Day Sitting. The schedule is as follows (All times are Eastern Time):
Sunday
7:30-8:30 PM
Monday
No Sittings
Tuesday
7:30; 8:00 and 8:30 AM
2:00; 7:30; 8:00 and 8:30 PM
Wednesday-Friday
7:30; 8:00 and 8:30 AM
7:30; 8:00 and 8:30 PM
Saturday
7:30; 8:00; 8:30 AM
1:30-4:30 PM - timed sitting followed by a recorded talk by Toni Packer, followed by group dialogue
Access all of these events on Zoom using:
Meeting ID 289 037 6188
Passcode 7179
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The Extended Community
There may be a meditation group near you with people who have an interest in the work of Springwater Center. Visit the website's Community Groups page for information about meditation groups across the U.S. and around the world.
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