Reconciliation

After the talk about Reconciliation we were given an hour of time to move about the retreat site and reflect on our own personal needs of reconciliation. The retreat site was high in the Santa Cruz mountains and a persistent wind had kept the temperature below a level of comfort. But when the sun was high in the sky it's warming rays penetrated the forest and offered the perfect amount of warmth to balance out the chill. I found a quiet spot on a brick wall that had just the right amount of sun and I began to inspect. I inspected my conscience. Who do I need to reconcile with? Is there anyone I haven't forgiven?

I felt like a walk so I left my beloved perch and strayed over near one of the cabins. My room mate Alex's pickup truck was parked near the cabin and it's bed was ever so slightly in the shade. I jumped into the bed and sprawled my arms over its walls. I had a blank slip of paper where I was challenged to write the things I needed to let go and reconcile with in my life. I wrote some things down and enjoyed the rest of my time in the truck bed, listening to the wind in the trees and feeling the sun on my face. A cow bell was struck several times which was our alarm to come back to the chapel.

We stood in a large circle watching our slips of paper burn in a silver bowl. The symbolic gesture was intended to help us let go of the words and feelings written down on the pieces of paper. It was a powerful sight ( that could have been enhanced by the addition of a little lighter fluid).