GUIDING VISION GETTING CENTERED IN CENTRAL OREGON JULY 12-19 2021
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GUIDING VISION GETTING CENTERED IN CENTRAL OREGON JULY 12-19 2021
GETTING CENTERED IN CENTRAL OREGON: WHAT IS THIS RETREAT?
In a simple sentence, we will awaken to yoga and meditation each morning, followed by a hike, and then jour-
naling in the afternoon. That’s the short answer, but if you’re looking for more details, then… spoiler alert!
Each day will start with a yoga/centering class setting our focus and intention to use as a guide throughout
that day. Then we head off to a hike at a different locale. Each place we visit will serve as a natural backdrop
for our introspection and centering. The list of destinations and events are: Pilot Butte, Lava Butte, High
Desert Museum, Deschutes River walk to Dillon and Benham Falls, Black Butte, Camp Sherman, Sisters,
Smith Rock, floating down the Deschutes River and, finally, Crater Lake. All of these amazing places (except
Crater Lake) are less than an hour away from where we'll be staying at McMenemins Old St. Francis School.
Using these beautiful sites as the backdrop, I will facilitate several processes from Joanna Macy’s Work That
Reconnects which will help us:
by looking at the parts of OUR LIVES and the things that we
RESET do that are not sustainable, for ourselves or for our planet.
by gaining tools and techniques that will allow us to reclaim
RECOVER and recover our sense of JOY and connection.
by enhancing our creative capacity drawing from nature as
RECHARGE our source of inspiration and POWER.
to co-create a caring and compassionate world that makes
RESPOND natural giving and receiving possible.
Following specific prompts for your journaling will help you connect to your inner voice of purpose. Each par-
ticipant will have a different experience with their Intensive Journaling Method. Here is my experience:
When I did the journaling process, it helped me take all of the shattered and scattered pieces of my life, the
memories and experiences that didn’t seem to make any sense, and reframe them. These fragile memories were
often jagged and sharp, and sometimes would cut me no matter how gently I would touch them. The journal
method helped me place these seemingly disparate pieces on the workboard, rearrange them, and put them
back together to construct the mosaic of my life. I can see clearly the beauty and meaning in every aspect of
my experience and very existence.
Everyone who has done the Intensive Journaling Method has come away with profound insight. These work-
shops are typically held in a church recreation room, or more recently via Zoom conferencing. Just imagine
how much more inspired you might be with nature as the backdrop instead of your computer screen!
YOUR GUIDE: WHO IS TOM PIERSON?
Tom has spent his entire life preparing for this Guiding Vision offers weekly Centering Classes,
incredible experience. After a decade in the fluores- On-Demand Online Courses, Workshops and Webi-
cent lit cubicles of corporate life, he was laid off nars, Spiritual Retreats, and Individual Spiritual
during the economic downturn of 2009. He began Guidance and Centering Sessions.
teaching yoga and meditation, helping literally
thousands of seekers find a respite in their hurried In this framework, his mission is to explore:
and worried lives.
• Life’s big questions like: “What inspires and
After the pandemic forced Tom to close excites you?” “What life is meant to live
his business in Houston, Texas, he through you?” “What (or who), to
moved with his husband and dog you, is God?” “What are your
to Bend, Oregon where he values, and is your life and
enjoys the beauty that Cen- vocation in alignment with
tral Oregon has to offer. them?”
When Tom isn’t teaching • How to become fluent in
classes (via Zoom, of each of the languages of
course), hosting retreats, your Intelligence Centers.
or holding sacred space,
you can find him on a trail • A contemplative rhythm
in the mountains or on a for your life.
raft down the river. And
when he’s not doing that, he • The emotional skills that
loves reading, writing, playing allow deep understanding and
piano and, most of all, cooking! graceful expression, including
conflict resolution.
Since joining the Central Oregon commu-
nity, Tom founded a new business called Guiding • How to become active in the well-being of the
Vision, which is a natural extension of all of the greater community, society, and planet.
talents that Tom has cultivated over the last twenty
years. For more information on how to participate in the
efforts to make ourselves and the world a better
And this eco-spiritual retreat, Getting Centered in place, make a visit to the Guiding Vision website at
Central Oregon, is a culmination of everything that www.guiding-vision.com or email Tom directly at
Guiding Vision has to offer. teatimeinbend@gmail.com.
WHY BEND, OREGON? WHY YOU?
Where can you go to find yourself within minutes of Because deep down in your soul you know that
the arid high desert, the snowy slopes of evergreen everything has a meaning, a deeper purpose. And the
dressed mountains, obsidian fields, volcanic caves voice calling you to that purpose is silenced by the
and vast networks of forest trails? Well, Bend, ceaseless chatter and constant static of your busy
Oregon. It’s kind of like if you were to put Austin, life. Busy taking care of your family, your loved ones
Texas, Denver, Colorado, and Sedona, Arizona all in and your co-workers, with barely enough time to
one place. take care of yourself.
Oregon’s largest city outside the Willa- And because you’re such an eternal
mette Valley, Bend is an absolute optimist, you also know deep down
paradise when it comes to out- that the voice of purpose is
door recreation, inspiring benevolent. The tide always
scenic overlooks, and long turns toward truth and light
and winding meanderings and connection, even when
through the countryside. things appear to be falling
Whether you’re putting on apart.
your hiking boots, slip-
ping into a kayak, or hop- If you’ve been hearing
ping on a bike, Bend does that quiet, still, inner
not disappoint. You just voice, perhaps when you
can’t go wrong. lay your head on the pillow
at night, or when, all of the
When you’re not in the explo- sudden, you feel the tingle up
ration mode, the relaxed vibe in your spine from the gentle
Bend will not leave you feeling caress of the wind blowing, then it
guilty about taking it easy. A stroll in is time to listen.
the Old Mill District or through Historic
Downtown will give you plenty to do and see, and “Put down the weight of your aloneness and ease
don’t forget to take a tour of the last remaining into the conversation. The kettle is singing even as
Blockbuster Video. Sipping a cup of coffee or a pint it pours you a drink, the cooking pots have left
of beer made at one of the numerous local micro- their arrogant aloofness and seen the good in you
breweries might be more your speed for the day. at last. All the birds and creatures of the world are
unutterably themselves.
Bend is a small town that will leave a big impression, Everything is waiting for you.”
and provide a truly unique and unforgettable expe-
rience. -- Everything is Waiting for You, David Whyte
McMENAMINS OLD ST. FRANCIS SCHOOL HOTEL
DAY ONE - MONDAY, 7/12
PILOT BUTTE
After everyone has settled into their rooms at McMenamins
Old St. Francis School Hotel, we will gather for dinner in their
restaraunt and pub.
We'll have an orientation to go through logisitics and answer
any questions you may have. From there, we'll head out to our
first hike to enjoy sunset on Pilot Butte. We'll have a bird's-eye
view of the city and I will point out all of the hiking spots we'll
visit in the coming week and talk about the journaling we will
be doing. Perhaps we'll even make our first journal entry
while we're there, if time permits.
We'll head to a grocery store from there so
you can pick up any drinks or snacks LAVA BUTTE
you may want. Then, we'll settle in for
the night where you can take a dip
in the Turkish Baths at the hotel or
take a stroll in Historic Down-
town through Drake Park, just a
few blocks away from the hotel.
DAY TWO - TUES. 7/13
The early bird gets the worm,
right? Well, we're going to spread
our wings at nearby park with some
gentle yoga and intention setting to
get us ready for the day ahead.
After breakfast, we'll make our way to the
Lava Lands Visitor Center to take the bus up Lava
Butte, where you can see ancient lava flows from the
distant Newberry Volcanic Field.
From here, we'll hop skip and jump to the High Desert
Museum where we will have a picnic lunch and time to share
our morning's inspirations and get our daily journaling
prompt. We will spend as long as we want at the museum to see
the many exhibits, and even an historic re-creation of life on a
ranch at the turn of the last century. And don't miss the otters!
HIGH DESERT MUSEUM Returning to the hotel by early evening, you'll probably want to
get some rest before venturing out for dinner on your own.
DAY THREE - WEDNESDAY, 7/14
SISTERS
Early yoga will help work out all the kinks and soreness to
prepare for the most vigorous hike of the trip: Black Butte.
But, don't worry if you're not up to that level of trekking. As an
alternative, we will also make a stop for those who would prefer
to stroll at the Metolius Nature Preserve in nearby Camp
Sherman. You will be given the daily journaling prompt to do
on your own at some point along your respective hikes.
Around lunch time, we will all gather up and go to Sisters
for lunch and to enjoy window shopping and
people watching. It’s an Oregon Trail kind of
town that is alive with arts and crafts.
BLACK BUTTE
LAVA BUTTE Sisters is famous for their quilts.
We'll be back home in time to soak
your tired feet in the Turkish
Baths, have a cocktail, and dine
while watching a movie at the
theater inside McMenamins.
DAY FOUR - THURS. 7/15
Today we'll take it a little bit
easier. We will have a nice brunch
at The Sparrow Bakery where we
can get their Famous Ocean Roll and
some other fresh baked items to bring
along with us on our hike to Dillon Falls.
This day's hike is nice and easy along the
Deschutes River and there's even a place or two to hop in
the cool waters along the way, so you might want to wear your
swimsuit under your t-shirt and shorts. We'll have your towels,
snacks and drinks in the van which will meet us at various
stops along the way. When we get to our destination at Dillon
Falls, we'll have time to do some light yoga and stretching before
meditating and journaling among the sound of the rushing
waters of the river.
Making our way back home, we'll freshen up for our evening at
the Old Mill District where we'll have a nice riverfront dinner DILLON FALLS
at Anthony's.
DAY FIVE - FRIDAY, 7/16
SMITH ROCK
This day brings us to our Solo Journey.
The journaling prompts will be given to you on our way north
to Smith Rock after breakfast on your own.
Lunch, snacks, and drinks will be available throughout the day
as you hike, explore, climb, meditate, do yoga, and journal. The
rushing sounds of Crooked River bestow a gentle hush.
We'll meet up for a sacred circle before heading back to
Bend, and decide on what to do that evening.
JOURNALING
DAY SIX - SAT. 7/17
After all of the hiking and bird’s-
eye views, we're going to laze our
way down the Deschutes River while
sipping on a beverage of our choice.
This is the ultimate way to relax and soak
in the scenery. For those who want to do it
more than once, there will be plenty of leisure time
and opportunity.
We're just going to be playing in and around the Old Mill
District and Drake Park for an easy afternoon of relaxation.
That evening we'll watch the spectacular setting sun as we do
some yoga and meditation together and complete our final
journal entry on the river's banks.
Dinner will be at a cool nearby restaurant, Bethlyn's Global
DESCHUTES RIVER, OLD MILL DISTRICT Fusion.
DAY SEVEN - SUNDAY, 7/18
CENTRAL OREGON’S HIGH DESERT
On our final full day together, we'll load up the van after break-
fast (maybe a quick trip to Sparrow again), and take the
hour-and-a-half trip south through the high desert and up the
rolling pine-forested hills to Crater Lake.
There will be plenty of snacks and treats to nibble on through-
out the day. The van will be centrally located to all of the
attractions, or you can just hike the entire rim. The deepest lake
in North America; this is a view of a lifetime!
And what a way to wrap up this amazing trip. This
excursion alone is worth the price of admis-
sion.
We'll head back to Bend in time for
our final circle together at Farewell
Bend Park where we will all get to
share our challenges and inspira-
tions from the trip and share
what we'll be taking home with
us from this Open Moment.
DAY EIGHT - MON. 7/19
The journey home.
CRATER LAKE FAREWELL BEND
HOW DO I PAY FOR IT?
You will reserve your place by making a non-refundable deposit for the hotel room before June 1, 2021 ($800
for Single Occupancy, and $500 for Double). Your first payment of $1,000 will be due on June 7, 2021. The
remaining balance ($1,500 for Single Occupancy, and $1,000 for Double) is due July 5, 2021.
Payment due: Single Double*
Deposit June 1, 2021 $ 800.00 $ 500.00
1st Payment June 7, 2021 $1,000.00 $1,000.00
2nd Payment July 5, 2021 $1,500.00 $1,000.00
Total $3,300.00 $2,500.00
*NOTE: All rooms are single king size beds and the Double Occupancy option is intended for couples or close
friends. If you are wanting a Double Occupancy room and don’t mind sharing the bed with another person,
and are traveling alone, I will do my best to find a suitable roommate, but there are no guarantees.
WHAT IS INCLUDED?
All lodging. Breakfast and Lunch each day. All transportation once you have arrived at Redmond Municipal
Airport (RDM) if flying. All necessary yoga accessories (mats, blankets, blocks, straps, etc). All supplies for
journaling (notebooks, pens, etc). Admission to all events.
WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED?
Transportation to and from Bend. (Note: if you are flying in, we will pick you up from Redmond airport, and
return you there before your departing flight.) One meal (Dinner) each day.
WHAT ABOUT COVID?
All participants will be fully vaccinated. If you are not fully vaccinated by June 1, then please wait and
schedule your retreat for later or next year. Deschutes County (home of Bend) is set to have 80% of its eligible
population fully vaccinated by the end of June 2021. Most of our activities will be held outdoors, with a few
exceptions. When we go indoors, we will follow all federal, state, local, and establishment guidelines and
requirements in regards to mask wearing and distancing. Your safety, the safety of others, and our impact on
the environment are important to us. Therefore, this is non-negotiable.
WILL I BE ABLE TO DO ALL OF THAT HIKING?
If you can walk a few miles comfortably, then you can and will enjoy this trip. All of the sites that I have chosen
have many paths available. If you want to walk on level ground, you can. Or if you want to scale up the side
of a cliff, you can do that, too! Either way, the views are breathtaking and the experience inspiring. Also, all
of the events are optional. Maybe you want to just stay back at the hotel and get a massage one day. All options
are open. This is YOUR retreat.“What do I want to do when this is all over?”
“Who do I want to be?”© 2021 GUIDING VISION www.guiding-vision.com Design by Ryan Schomburg
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