of Exquisite Tenderness The Unbearable Radiance

A Summer Spiritual Retreat

Orchestrated by Evan Hodkins, MA., M.Div. August 2-7, 2009

Bodhi Manda Zen Center Jemez Springs, New Mexico

She said she usually cried at least once each day

not because she was sad, but because the world was so beautiful

& life was so short. ~Anonymous

O ur true spiritual development can be traced from one outbreak of kindheartedness to another. If the eyes don’t water, the birth-

quake of tenderness cannot unleash its soul-saving grace. When a cul-ture loses its appetite for simple endearments, the descent into barbarity is most certainly assured. Every stunning act of sincerity is always at-tended by voluminous weepage. The heart-aching majesty of one tran-scendent shaft of music voiced by an innocent child, one trembling touch sublimely delivered, one affectionated gaze rendered poetically, can stop a person in their tracks. Captivated by that first quaking moment in heaven when the soul, weary from it earthy toils, sets foot on celestial turf, when every last ounce of pretense has subsided, when ecstatic wonderment commences to have its way with us—we, at long last, with unshakable splendor, become our true selves, drifting easefully all the while into the gorgeous heart of unspeak-able tenderness. It is from this timeless flash of heavenly grandeur, and all its massive reverberations, that I have, with ardent tears, crafted this deli-cate little retreat. This year’s menu features explorations of tenderness in all its various shades and hues, including…

the phosphorescence of forgiveness the elations of friendship

the hyper-sensuality of intimacy the transcendental rapture of ardent prayer

the enchanting reciprocities of communitas the consummating wonderment of death

the celestial swish of angel wings the glorious stupefactions of heavenly bliss….and more...

Image courtesty of Claudia Connelly—www.claudiaconnelly.com

A Word From Uncle Evan: What to my surprise, to discover that all my life I have been orbiting around a planet called Tenderness. It all started—the fermentation for this year’s Jemez Retreat—while I was reading, at Christmas time--The Shack by Wm. Paul Young. The book is expressly Christian in a quirky sort of way and maudlin to an excessive degree, yet here in the midst of a fairly predictable plot, I found myself flooded with an onset of perfectly redemptive tears. Fortunately, I was honest enough to admit that this feeling, right at the core of the novel, unearthed a substantial wave of confectionated loveliness. In fact, if I could live the rest of my life in the flavor generated by this text, I know I would, in every color imaginable, flourish. There is a tenderness here and a profound felicity of heart that matches the sweet sentimentality of who I am. And then I knew I was somehow, almost from the start, destined to orchestrate a retreat someday centered around the earth-shattering opulence of un-mitigated tenderness. My spiritual path, truth be told, has always unfolded, not through a quality of transcendental detach-ment nor because of a flare for intellectual acuity, but because my heart knew how to joyously weep whenever it got ambushed by the marvels of celestial excitations. Therefore, I beg you, with ample tissues by your side, to read The Shack. If, however, you think it emo-tional hogwash, or just more of the same old Christian hooey, then you’ll know, beyond a reasonable doubt, that this retreat is not exactly your cup of tea. On the other hand, should your tears convince you that some-thing at your very root is fluttering to be loosed, then by all means, make a mad dash for Jemez. This puppy has your name on it. It is encouraging, by the way, to note that rabid New Agers have found this book insufferably Christian while religious fundamentalists rail against it as a New Age heresy. Happily, the ability to offend all parties liberally is a pretty good indicator that this text has clout. The Shack, incidentally, is but a preparatory read. Our time together will be ornamented with seasons of intimate sharing, sweet periods of profound prayer, dazzling teachings straight from the heart, spiritual practices from a variety of traditions, rituals infused with light, a substantial dash of restful silence, and, oh, such gorgeous outbursts of idyllic music and meditative dance. It’s about what moves you to tears! I double-dare you to participate! In these times of rampant insecurity, it is so very important that no version of fearfulness is given a chance to compromise your involvement in a joyous spiri-tual community. In fact, in these times, we need it more than ever. I know this for certain: I’ve never taught anything prettier. If you’re a sucker for loveliness, you just might find yourself parked in New Mexico this summer! With all my heart, you are cordially invited to join us.

The Unbearable Radiance of Exquisite Tenderness August 2-7, 2009 - Annual Summer Spiritual Retreat - Bodhi Manda Zen Center - Jemez Springs, NM 

Evan Hodkins, M.A., M.Div., is the Director of the School of Alchemy in  Colorado.    He  is widely  known  for  his  teachings  in Mysticism, 

Spiritual Alchemy, Dreams, and Kabbalah.   Evan attended  the Martin Luther King School  for Social Change and was trained in Nonviolent Direct Action at the Pendle Hill Quaker Study Center.  He took Bodhisattva vows and re‐ceived shatiput from Swami Muktananda.  He has taught at Naropa Institute, the Lama Foundation, the Bodi Manda Zen Monastery,  and the Ernest Holmes Institute. He has been a serious student of Kundalini Yoga, as taught by Yogi Bhagan, and has frolicked in the disciplines of Tai Chi, and Qigong for decades. Evan  is a Christian Minister, a Sufi Cherag, and currently an Anamchara‐‐a Celtic Soul Friend in private practice in Paonia, CO. 

The Teacher

Michael Kucsmas                   

If music  is  a  universal  language,  then Michael Kucsmas  is  an  interpreter  of  this  language  on behalf  of  his  corner  of  the  universe.    Inciden‐tally,  his  corner  is  fairly  wild,  passionate  and awash with  crazy  love.   Michael  encompasses many styles of music and composes as a song‐writer and recording artist  He is also an accom‐plished multi‐instrumentalist.   Michael  has  re‐ceived darshan from lineaged teachers, notably, Muktananda,  Lama  Tharchin  Rinpoche,  and  in 1996, took hand in Sufism with Pir Vilayat Khan.  He has led sacred dances with Evan and also for the Dances of Universal Peace where he served as Regional Director for Public Relations for the International  Center  from  ¹94  to  ¹95.   Michael writes  under  the  musical  pen  name,  Michael Krow.     You   can   hear   more   a t www.michaelkrow.com.  

Pamela Robinson                 

Pamela Robinson,  affectionately known as  Pamelama‐dingdong,  is  a musical  spirit  that  deco‐rates her  joy of  life with original compositions and lyrics. Her    love of music has taken her on 3 world tours  through  Europe,  the middle  East  and  Asia. She has performed in numerous venues such as the renowned   New Orleans  Jazz Festival, The French Quarter Festival, LoDo Festival, Taste of Colorado,  and the American Music Festival.   Pamela's talents are  also  displayed  on  over  40  recordings,  as  a singer,    songwriter,  or    instrumentalist.   Her  soul talents  keep  her  deeply  connected  to  creatively working  with  children  and  her  beloved  spiritual  teachers.  Pamela has been a part of the Bozo musi‐cal entourage since 1998. 

What seems to grow fairer to me as life goes by is the love and the grace and tenderness of it; not its wit and cleverness and grandeur of knowledge - grand as knowledge is - but just the laughter of children, and the friendship of friends, and the cozy talk by the fire, and sight of flowers, and the sound of music. ~Unknown

The Unbearable Radiance

Practicalities Location:  Bodhi Manda Zen Center, Jemez Springs, New Mexico.  The Zen Center is spectacularly situ‐ated in the Jemez Mountains of the Santa Fe National Forest.  The land features a natural hot spring in a high desert canyon.  A rambling stream bor‐ders the property.  The area, speckled with towering red rocks, is absolutely glorious! Dates:    Sunday, August 2 through Friday, August 7.  You may check‐in promptly between the hours of 3:00 to 5:00 pm on Sunday.    Plan on joining us for supper at 6 pm followed by a lively orientation.  We shall close camp at noon on the following Friday. Food: Tasty vegetarian delights especially prepared for you by Zen monks.  Please indicate any essential dietary restrictions. Lodging:  You may opt to dwell in a Zen Dormitory or bring a tent and camp in nature.  The cost is the same either way.  For couples, private rooms with bath are available in what is lovingly called “the motel”.  These rooms are a bit more expensive at $10 extra per person per night. Cost:   $800 for the entire week, including lodging, delicious meals, and everything.  A $100 non‐refundable deposit is due when you mail in or sub‐mit (online) your registration form.  The remainder is due on Sunday, August 2, at the time of registration.  You may, if you choose, make payments in the months before the retreat.  Our registration deadline is, strictly speaking, Friday, July 24. Questions:  Should you have any additional inquiries, contact us at the School of Alchemy: 970‐527‐8927.   Or email us at: alchemy @schoolofalchemycom. Preparation:  A letter of preparation detailing what to bring will be mailed to participants a few weeks prior to the retreat. _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 

Registration: Two ways to register— 1) Kindly fill out the form below and send along a non-refundable deposit in the amount of $100 (or full amount-$800) to: School of Alchemy, 40103 Wood Court, Paonia, Colorado 81428. 2) You may register online at www.schoolofalchemy.com, using PayPal. Go to Events/Classes and find the Jemez Springs Retreat on the calendar, and click on either the deposit or the complete retreat fee. Don’t forget to fill out the registration form, too!

The Unbearable Radiance of Exquisite Tenderness Annual Summer Spiritual Retreat   August 2‐7, 2009, Jemez Springs, NM                     (Mail to:  School of Alchemy, 40103 Wood Court, Paonia, CO 81428) Date:________________ Name: __________________________________________________________________ Address: __________________________________________________________________________________ City:_____________________________________________________________________   Zip:_____________ Home Phone:________________________________________Cell Phone:_____________________________ Email address:______________________________________________________________________________ Date of birth: _________________ Any Essential Dietary Restrictions:______________________________________________________________________ Any Serious Health Considerations:_____________________________________________________________________ ____I am willing to arrive one day early (at my own expense) and help with the pre‐retreat preparations. Type of Lodging (please check one):   ___Tent Camping        ___Dorm Lodging      ___Motel Room for Couples 

August 2-7, 2008 Jemez Springs, NM

School of alchemy 40103 Wood Court Paonia, CO 81428 www.schoolofalchemy.com

of Exquisite Tenderness

But if you love and must needs have desires, let these be your desires:

To melt and be like a running brook that sings its melody to the night.

To know the pain of too much tenderness. To be wounded by your own

understanding of love; And to bleed willingly and joyfully.

—Kahlil Gibran