Holistic Centers Network

  • About Us
  • Membership
  • Connect
  • Donate
  • Blog
  • Contact
  • Login
  • Account

Centers Gathering Contest Winner 2017

  • Gatherings
  • Membership
  • Webinars
  • E-Learning
  • Consultancy
  • Research
  • Directory

In 2017 we again partnered with Retreat Guru to expand our reach and ran a contest to win one free place in the annual Gathering. This was funded through the HCN Bursary Fund and were delighted to select the following participant;

Rusty Shores, California, USA
EarthRise at IONS Assistant Director
Institute of Noetic Sciences

Rusty’s entry in the contest which inspired us to offer him the free place!

I’ve worked at the Institute of Noetic Sciences (IONS) for nearly 10 years in various operational-related roles and have increasingly played more of a leadership role the past few years.

IONS has owned and operated the EarthRise Retreat Center since 2000. Since then we’ve added and updated meeting space, increased our bookings, made many operational and systems improvements, and recently modernized the AV equipment
in all our meeting rooms. The land is sacred, our staff and customer service are amazing, and the food is highly praised.

EarthRise is poised to shift into the next phase of its development and our job is tolisten and to support her evolving higher purpose. I had never heard of the Holistic Centers Gathering until just recently from Cheryl Fraenzl at Esalen. Now that I know of this wonderful gathering, I would just normally be excited to attend to connect with this like-spirited community. However, what inspires me about attending this year’s gathering is the same reason I reached out to Cheryl.

I have been holding a vision, and there is a growing consensus here at IONS, that it’s time for us to more fully integrate our EarthRise Retreat Center with our scientific research which ultimately means IONS would offer a more robust programming portfolio. There are still many details to work out and we are still in the thick of the co- creative process (as part of a larger strategic focusing process), but in general we would want to offer programs that provide, not only opportunities for deep experience in a nurturing container, but also provide:

1) People who’ve had some sort of noetic experience an opening to a larger context– a chance to learn from those in the field of noetic sciences data that suggest that the mind is more than just the brain, that there is a reality beyond
what our senses and instruments can detect. Each person still needs to evaluate the data themselves, but the first step is to know that this type of data exists. An important (although not sufficient) part of a worldview shift that IONS can help support.

2) An opportunity to participate in research while they are in their program. This could mean taking pre and post surveys, a saliva test to evaluate changes at the molecular level (epigenetics), or be a subject in one of our laboratory
experiments.

3) The chance to utilize various forms of neuro-feedback related technology like VR, random number generators, or our new PsiQ app.

4) And perhaps even extended human capacity training like remote viewing or pre-cognition (while again participating in research). Anyway, as you can tell, I’m excited!

I would love the opportunity to connect with others who offer beautiful and safe containers and programs that supports people’s unfolding transformation. We can all learn from and support each other and I would be very grateful to be part of the conversation.

Many blessings,
Rusty Shores
EarthRise at IONS Assistant Director

Rusty’s Reflections after participating in the Gathering

My heart is filled with gratitude for the generous opportunity I received that allowed me to participate in the 2017 Centers Gathering. The location – both Hawaii and the host center, Hawaii Island Retreat – provided the foundation for a warm and inviting container.

Although I arrived hours late due to plane delays, I was greeted and welcomed into what immediately felt like my tribe. After just the first few hours, it was clear that I didn’t just meet new friends, but in a way it felt as if I was reconnecting with life-long friends. Those of us who are drawn to this type of work and also drawn to connect with others at this type of gathering have a natural bond.

It’s not to minimize the value in meeting with one’s peers to share best practices in topics like programming, marketing, analytics/trends, and HR. That alone is worth the trip. Likewise, the opportunity to ask folks from other centers specific questions about how they do this and how they do that was also extremely valuable (and in a spirit of cooperation as opposed to seeing each other as competitors). However, my biggest takeaway was the lifelong connections I made and sense of being part of something bigger than just my own center.

Christine and the planning team masterfully wove in a perfect mix of content topics, group exercises (onsite and offsite), and local culture. We were nourished by incredible cuisine and had plenty of opportunity for connections and self reflection.

If you are thinking about attending a Centers Gathering, do yourself and your center a favor…make it to the next gathering!

By Rusty Shores
EarthRise Assistant Director

Institute of Noetic Science’s EarthRise Retreat Center

Enjoy the slideshow from the 2017 Centers Gathering!

 

Share this:

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Pinterest
View map of centers

The 2020 Gathering…

The international Centers Gathering was originally being hosted by Esalen in May this year, the birthplace of the human potential movement,

Given the unexpected crisis around the world, with many people 'staying in place' and centers closing temporarily, HCN is now offering a virtual gathering for holistic centers.

We come together to meet the challenges, and embrace the opportunities of an ever deepening sense of community, in service to the renewal and rebalancing of the world.

Network of Light Meditation

Our global meditation to strengthen the network is every Thursday 2pm GMT.

We invite you to join Insight Timer and actively contribute to more stillness in the world.

When you join Insight Timer you become part of a world-wide community of more than 950,000 meditators in 130 countries.

Featured Center

Institute of Noetic Science’s EarthRise Retreat Center

Recent Tweets

Tweets by @CentersGather

Subscribe

Enter your email address and receive notifications of new posts via email.
  • We will use your information according to our Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy. We will not sell your information to third-parties and you can unsubscribe at any time.
  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Holistic Publications

The only book as far as we know that describes the Global Network of Holistic Centers.

Written by Ralph White, co-founder of the New York Open Center, this is the only book as far as we know that describes the Global Network of Holistic Centers.

Partnerships

In the Spirit of Collaboration

Enjoy this rare opportunity as a director, manager or co-worker of a Holistic Center to connect with your peers from around the world.

Each one of us brings our Centers’ experiences, perspectives and challenges, understanding that we all have something to share and learn from each other.

We tend to have fun and leave more inspired, aware and energized about how we can successfully achieve our missions!

Click here for more details

Categories

  • 2012 Findhorn (26)
  • 2013 Esalen (9)
  • 2014 Haven (17)
  • 2015 Beijing (4)
  • 2015 Greece (5)
  • 2016 Quebec (5)
  • 2017 Hawaii (4)
  • 2018 Omega (6)
  • 2019 Hollyhock (3)
  • Africa (2)
  • China (25)
  • Community News (44)
  • Corporate Retreats (1)
  • Employment Opportunities (48)
  • Featured Posts (191)
  • Fundraising (2)
  • Holistic Centers (3)
  • Holistic Education (24)
  • Integral (6)
  • Learning Residencies (7)
  • Livestream (2)
  • Marketing (2)
  • Network of Light (12)
  • Previous Gatherings (21)
  • Sustainability (9)
  • Testimonials (5)
  • Uncategorized (1)
  • Unity in Diversity (4)
  • Webinars (21)

I have only sixteen pages of notes worth taking! A reflection of the richness of the Gathering. I’ve valued the open space, the number of optional sessions and appreciate the heartfelt connections.

Brajesh Friedberg
Mount Madonna Center

This gathering has been INCREDIBLE. As a small center based way out in Yosemite National Park, I really feel folded into the greater network. This feels so vital. Thank you for creating this!

Heather Sullivan, Executive Director & Co-Founder, Balanced Rock Foundation

Meeting The Moment 2020

Access all the incredible content from our 2020 International Gathering in May and enjoy a unique opportunity to connect with your peers involved in other centers worldwide.

Wisdom and experience, insights and innovations, shared in an open and creative way.

ACCESS NOW

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • About Us
  • Donate
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Credits
  • Contact
© 2010–2021 Holistic Centers Network
Creative Commons LicenceUnless otherwise noted, content on this site is licensed under a
Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.